16:9 satnav system retrofit
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 121
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From: Oxford, England
S430, SL500
16:9 satnav system retrofit
Guys, in need of some help regarding satnav in my '99 S430.
What would i need in order to retrofit a 16:9 unit from a later car into mine? I am very familiar with how the BMW nav systems work and which units are required but with mercedes i cannot see any separate systems anywhere?
Can i take this to mean that the head unit contains all of the relevent tuners and sat nav computers?
All in all, assuming a standard 4:3 nav system, what is required in order to install the 16:9 unit?
Really appreciate any help
What would i need in order to retrofit a 16:9 unit from a later car into mine? I am very familiar with how the BMW nav systems work and which units are required but with mercedes i cannot see any separate systems anywhere?
Can i take this to mean that the head unit contains all of the relevent tuners and sat nav computers?
All in all, assuming a standard 4:3 nav system, what is required in order to install the 16:9 unit?
Really appreciate any help
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
There is a widescreen unit that was used only in 2003 that you could manage to retrofit. It wouldn't be trivial, but it wouldn't be impossible. If you search for 2003 widescreen COMAND you can probably find some references.
The big improvement came in 2004. DVD nav replaced the earlier CD nav (which continues through the 2003 widescreen unit). There are many other improvements in 2004 as well. Really the only improvement in 2003 was the wider screen.
The 2004 head unit is not compatible with the fiber optic system in your car. Replacing a 2003 or earlier COMAND with a 2004 or later involves replacing way more components that you probably would consider.
The big improvement came in 2004. DVD nav replaced the earlier CD nav (which continues through the 2003 widescreen unit). There are many other improvements in 2004 as well. Really the only improvement in 2003 was the wider screen.
The 2004 head unit is not compatible with the fiber optic system in your car. Replacing a 2003 or earlier COMAND with a 2004 or later involves replacing way more components that you probably would consider.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 121
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From: Oxford, England
S430, SL500
Much clearer after a decent search around. A user called SUNILP has posted that he has actually performed the upgrade, but said he would post back with details.
I am also unclear on what's included in the actual headunit, are the tuners anc computers contained within this? ie, will a 2003 16:9 unit work with TV out of the box (my current unit just says "no tv" if i select TV).
SUNILP - if you are reading could you possibly knock up a quick requirements list for the cd based D2B 2003 unit retrofit along with some details of whats actually involved?
I am also unclear on what's included in the actual headunit, are the tuners anc computers contained within this? ie, will a 2003 16:9 unit work with TV out of the box (my current unit just says "no tv" if i select TV).
SUNILP - if you are reading could you possibly knock up a quick requirements list for the cd based D2B 2003 unit retrofit along with some details of whats actually involved?
Last edited by Jezza; Aug 5, 2008 at 05:22 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Much clearer after a decent search around. A user called SUNILP has posted that he has actually performed the upgrade, but said he would post back with details.
I am also unclear on what's included in the actual headunit, are the tuners anc computers contained within this? ie, will a 2003 16:9 unit work with TV out of the box (my current unit just says "no tv" if i select TV).
SUNILP - if you are reading could you possibly knock up a quick requirements list for the cd based D2B 2003 unit retrofit along with some details of whats actually involved?
I am also unclear on what's included in the actual headunit, are the tuners anc computers contained within this? ie, will a 2003 16:9 unit work with TV out of the box (my current unit just says "no tv" if i select TV).
SUNILP - if you are reading could you possibly knock up a quick requirements list for the cd based D2B 2003 unit retrofit along with some details of whats actually involved?
You'll also need new nav CDs for areas you wish to have covered. Your old unit most likely uses an early version nav CD that is not compatible with the 2003. This has nothing to do with currency of the maps and points of interest.
Last edited by whoover; Aug 5, 2008 at 05:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 121
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From: Oxford, England
S430, SL500
Thanks for the info, the cd's/dvd's are all over usenet for all versions so that shouldn't be an issue. The whole of the Uk fits on one CD anyhow which is nice, no cd swapping over here thank god as i imagine you guys have to with such a vast area to cover.
Thanks again
Thanks again
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
For sure. The DVD nav is such an improvement on a long road trip here. With my 2001, approaching some state borders looked like you were driving off the end of the earth. Fumbling with the CD and programming the next waypoint seems so primitive now (no offense). I can get a single GPS route from California to New York on my Blackberry today, much less my COMAND. But we're slaves to advancing technology.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Oxford, England
S430, SL500
I guess we just don't see how useful the dvd based system is then over here, as i say even on my 4:3 CD based system i happily use it to drive the length of the country with no interruptions at all. The only thing which frustrates me slightly is the way its so slow to calculate the route, and the way it doesnt accept postal code input's requiring the user to input the town, street name, and number. Again delays the input and calculation time and is not as accurate 
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
I guess we just don't see how useful the dvd based system is then over here, as i say even on my 4:3 CD based system i happily use it to drive the length of the country with no interruptions at all. The only thing which frustrates me slightly is the way its so slow to calculate the route, and the way it doesnt accept postal code input's requiring the user to input the town, street name, and number. Again delays the input and calculation time and is not as accurate
Beyond that, the interface is vastly improved. This is dramatically so if you have voice activation. I can set a destination by voice quite easily, with no dramatics. It understands most city names the first time. If pronunciation bears little resemblance to spelling (useful in Wales, I would think) you spell the first few letters by voice instead. You spell street names and dictate address numbers. Much better than fumbling.
On the other hand, the year after mine has realtime traffic alerts and a number of neat new features. That's progress for you.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
Much clearer after a decent search around. A user called SUNILP has posted that he has actually performed the upgrade, but said he would post back with details.
I am also unclear on what's included in the actual headunit, are the tuners anc computers contained within this? ie, will a 2003 16:9 unit work with TV out of the box (my current unit just says "no tv" if i select TV).
SUNILP - if you are reading could you possibly knock up a quick requirements list for the cd based D2B 2003 unit retrofit along with some details of whats actually involved?
I am also unclear on what's included in the actual headunit, are the tuners anc computers contained within this? ie, will a 2003 16:9 unit work with TV out of the box (my current unit just says "no tv" if i select TV).
SUNILP - if you are reading could you possibly knock up a quick requirements list for the cd based D2B 2003 unit retrofit along with some details of whats actually involved?
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: UK
S 320 - 2001
Guys, in need of some help regarding satnav in my '99 S430.
What would i need in order to retrofit a 16:9 unit from a later car into mine? I am very familiar with how the BMW nav systems work and which units are required but with mercedes i cannot see any separate systems anywhere?
Can i take this to mean that the head unit contains all of the relevent tuners and sat nav computers?
All in all, assuming a standard 4:3 nav system, what is required in order to install the 16:9 unit?
Really appreciate any help
What would i need in order to retrofit a 16:9 unit from a later car into mine? I am very familiar with how the BMW nav systems work and which units are required but with mercedes i cannot see any separate systems anywhere?
Can i take this to mean that the head unit contains all of the relevent tuners and sat nav computers?
All in all, assuming a standard 4:3 nav system, what is required in order to install the 16:9 unit?
Really appreciate any help
Clacton on Sea
Bill does all the MB retrofits for MB in SE England
Or try
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-COMAN...6.c0.m14.l1318
Or
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-COMAN...6.c0.m14.l1318
Or
Call Mitesh ( Leicester) on 07711 540045 8am - Midnight
www.mercedescomand.com
info@mercedescomand.com
Last edited by Air-Force-1; Aug 6, 2008 at 05:28 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7
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S CLASS W220
hi i wondered how you were getting on with your upgrade to wide screen , as i have the same early one and wanted to upgrade to the wide screen 2003+ , but it has one less connection on the back of the unit .
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
The newer 16:9 version has an INTERNAL connection like a COMAND 2.0 does.
Therefore those wires are not needed. Additionally the other pins need to be moved around in order for the correct connections to be made on C1 and C2.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7
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S CLASS W220
The old 2.5 has an EXTERNAL connection from the radio tuner to the navigation drive.
The newer 16:9 version has an INTERNAL connection like a COMAND 2.0 does.
Therefore those wires are not needed. Additionally the other pins need to be moved around in order for the correct connections to be made on C1 and C2.
The newer 16:9 version has an INTERNAL connection like a COMAND 2.0 does.
Therefore those wires are not needed. Additionally the other pins need to be moved around in order for the correct connections to be made on C1 and C2.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 121
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From: Oxford, England
S430, SL500
