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I've done this exact upgrade, and unfortunately there is indeed some additional squeak and rattle in the cabin as a result. So definitely not recommended.
I've done this exact upgrade, and unfortunately there is indeed some additional squeak and rattle in the cabin as a result. So definitely not recommended.
Would be useful to have a list of new parts and some idea about the work involved. Your comment makes it sound like the rattle would be the major issue (depends on the person, perhaps a lot of work is no major issue for all).
Would be useful to have a list of new parts and some idea about the work involved. Your comment makes it sound like the rattle would be the major issue (depends on the person, perhaps a lot of work is no major issue for all).
Sure, see this picture for a rough list of parts
Lots of additional speakers and a sub to fit in, decorative metal covers to add, wiring to redo, door panels and ceiling to cut open (to fit the new metal speaker covers)...
It's a big operation. You basically have to disassemble and reassemble the whole interior. And due to the cuttings involved, the whole process isn't even resersable.
To me the rattle and squeaks, while unpleasant, are not a deal breaker. I've learned to live with them. But would I do it again? No, for my next car, I will wait a while longer for the perfectly factory optioned car to appear, rather than risking another retrofit.
It was amazing; the scope of job you did. I'm not aware of a shop in the US that does all that work at any price. If there is such a shop I'm just about certain you'd be ahead trading in the current market on a nearly new car here.
I think that was perhaps the most interesting thread I've seen here to date. I honestly do not believe I would be brave enough to try it. After you explained it I can understand your situation there with car buying, but man; you've gotta want it!
It was amazing; the scope of job you did. I'm not aware of a shop in the US that does all that work at any price. If there is such a shop I'm just about certain you'd be ahead trading in the current market on a nearly new car here.
I think that was perhaps the most interesting thread I've seen here to date. I honestly do not believe I would be brave enough to try it. After you explained it I can understand your situation there with car buying, but man; you've gotta want it!
I still think you should have moved!
Thanks man Indeed the project was good fun. Alas the final result wasn't as stimulating...
2021 S500 (Mojave Silver), MB S400 (wife), BMW 750Li (passed on to kids)
Originally Posted by rw594
Sure, see this picture for a rough list of parts
Lots of additional speakers and a sub to fit in, decorative metal covers to add, wiring to redo, door panels and ceiling to cut open (to fit the new metal speaker covers)...
It's a big operation. You basically have to disassemble and reassemble the whole interior. And due to the cuttings involved, the whole process isn't even resersable.
To me the rattle and squeaks, while unpleasant, are not a deal breaker. I've learned to live with them. But would I do it again? No, for my next car, I will wait a while longer for the perfectly factory optioned car to appear, rather than risking another retrofit.
I assume the "rattle and squeaks" are not just from the sound system upgrade but also the other (various) upgrades you've done?
I assume the "rattle and squeaks" are not just from the sound system upgrade but also the other (various) upgrades you've done?
Yeah, hard to pin-point exactly which upgrades caused which noises, but 4D burmester and AR HUD are probably the biggest culprits, as these two together account for most of the parts-swap and reassembly.
I'm interested in doing a full upgrade to the 4D Burmester sound system in my 2021 S580. Could you advise how much it would cost to order the components shown in the picture? My car currently has the standard Burmester system, so I already have a few Burmester speakers, four of which look similar to the ones in the upgrade. Can I reuse any of them, or would I need to fully replace them?
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by nerd00
I'm interested in doing a full upgrade to the 4D Burmester sound system in my 2021 S580. Could you advise how much it would cost to order the components shown in the picture? My car currently has the standard Burmester system, so I already have a few Burmester speakers, four of which look similar to the ones in the upgrade. Can I reuse any of them, or would I need to fully replace them?
As mentioned earlier in this thread, you DO NOT want to do this. You will be light years ahead of the game by simply getting a car already equipped as you want it and either selling or trading your current car. If you absolutely want to keep your car, take it to a high end audio shop and ask them what they would do. I am quite sure they could upgrade your system to blow the windows out of the car for WAY less than you would spend to try for the factory upgrade.
First of all I will drive this car at least 3 years, and I think current standard burmeister (the right one in the pic) is not enough.
Bass is very weak, tweeter sound is also not clear.
I've asked few car tuning shops for the price and got a rough answer, $20K CAD.
I haven't set up proper full aftermarket audio setup, so I have less idea that the budget is enough or not.
Is $20k CAD pricey for the full buermeister 4d setup? Would there be better brand/setup with the same budget?
First of all I will drive this car at least 3 years, and I think current standard burmeister (the right one in the pic) is not enough.
Bass is very weak, tweeter sound is also not clear.
Have you listened to it streaming Tidal or Apple Music directly through MBUX after going through the personal sound profile? The difference is night and day. Mine has so much bass I had to back off of it, you feel it in your core. You don't get any of that listening through CarPlay. I am shocked by how great the audio is and how different it is directly through MBUX. Its the best car audio I've ever had.
Spending $20,000 on that is crazy, its a sunk cost that actually devalues the car, so it actually costs you $25-30k. For 3 years thats $10,000 a year just for audio. If you must have the 4D I would trade the car on one with it...you can accomplish that for less than $20k.
I'm aligned with @SW20S on going through the Sound Profile setup. Once I did that, it rivals (almost) the 3D high-end system I had in my E63. In hindsight, I wish I had bought the 4D, but it is good enough that I can live it until I trade again in a couple of years.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
People like to complain about the prices of factory options, but for the most part, I have always thought that MB options are relative bargains. I believe the 4D Audio I had in my 2022 S580 was around $6,500.00 and worth every penny, as was the Exclusive Nappa interior. The rub with MB is the way they package some options, which in some cases, is a bit ridiculous. Of course, to get a car exactly as you want it, in most cases, you need to do a special order, as finding vehicles with some of the pricier options in dealer stock can be next to impossible.
I've just tried Apple Music directly in the MBUX. Oh my god, this is a whole new different sound. I felt more like W223 wireless carplay loses tons of quality in the music streaming.
Also with the personalization I was able to find much better settings compares to simple bass/mid/treble equalizer. The 2-dimensional EQ is pretty much fun and efficient to find my optimal settings very quickly.
Now I got a new issue that W223 disconnects apple carplay everytime I try Apple Music in MBUX. It needs internet connection and it can't connect bluetooth while phone is connected in carplay.
I'm trying to dig mercedes data plan but its hard to get some information. (If anyone knows how to do, please help!)
I simply gave up apple carplay cuz I like the new sound
Thank you so much, now I don't feel like I need 4D anymore (with 20K price).
Have you listened to it streaming Tidal or Apple Music directly through MBUX after going through the personal sound profile? The difference is night and day. Mine has so much bass I had to back off of it, you feel it in your core. You don't get any of that listening through CarPlay. I am shocked by how great the audio is and how different it is directly through MBUX. Its the best car audio I've ever had.
Spending $20,000 on that is crazy, its a sunk cost that actually devalues the car, so it actually costs you $25-30k. For 3 years thats $10,000 a year just for audio. If you must have the 4D I would trade the car on one with it...you can accomplish that for less than $20k.
I see you guys talk about streaming directly through MBUX. Question for you, since you also had a W222. Is that process the same for W222, or is the system different? I have a 2018 W222. I have the 3D system and stream spotify through bluetooth 90% of the time and it seems to sound good. I used to have custom systems in my car with giant subs and all that, but I'm not expecting to duplicate that experience. But I'm wondering if I use iTunes through Carplay, or use Tidal with Android Auto, if it will sound better? I have both phones but prefer Android.
You would not have been happy anyway; you'd have had multiple squeaks, rattles, all that fun stuff. Doesn't take much of that to make you wish you had never started in the first place.
You might consider skipping Apple and working through the MBUX with just the bluetooth connection and the tuness coming off the built-in data or from your phone as a hotspot. The nav is decent, you've got your native MBUX apps for tunes, you can still get your calls and messages. I'm Android Auto but I did it; thought I might die without it beforehand, turns out I survived just fine. I know it's crazy talk, but something to consider.
About that 4D: It's the only thing I REALLY miss from the 580. Unfortunately, it's also something Mrs Crab misses, and her displeasure with me trading has been unequivocally made known. My bad. If I come back here, it's going to be the S63, I missed having something with more oomph when I was in the 580.
I've just tried Apple Music directly in the MBUX. Oh my god, this is a whole new different sound. I felt more like W223 wireless carplay loses tons of quality in the music streaming.
Also with the personalization I was able to find much better settings compares to simple bass/mid/treble equalizer. The 2-dimensional EQ is pretty much fun and efficient to find my optimal settings very quickly.
Now I got a new issue that W223 disconnects apple carplay everytime I try Apple Music in MBUX. It needs internet connection and it can't connect bluetooth while phone is connected in carplay.
I'm trying to dig mercedes data plan but its hard to get some information. (If anyone knows how to do, please help!)
I simply gave up apple carplay cuz I like the new sound
Thank you so much, now I don't feel like I need 4D anymore (with 20K price).
Glad I could help! The difference is truly incredible. Have you set up the personal sound profile? That makes it even better. Direct Apple Music also supports Dolby Atmos. Find a track in Atmos and listen to it!
I also stopped using CarPlay entirely and I LOVE CarPlay...
Originally Posted by carlosinseattle
I see you guys talk about streaming directly through MBUX. Question for you, since you also had a W222. Is that process the same for W222, or is the system different? I have a 2018 W222. I have the 3D system and stream spotify through bluetooth 90% of the time and it seems to sound good. I used to have custom systems in my car with giant subs and all that, but I'm not expecting to duplicate that experience. But I'm wondering if I use iTunes through Carplay, or use Tidal with Android Auto, if it will sound better? I have both phones but prefer Android.
W222 has no ability to stream directly unfortunately...Apple Music or Tidal would be better because they are lossless, Spotify isnt.
I always regret not getting the highly overpriced high-end stereo option. It’s one option I’ll always check off if I do a custom build but a lot of times I buy off the lot and don’t get the opportunity. However, the base 3D Burmester system is great in this car. I love it. Of course, next time around, assuming I get another S class, I’ll definitely do a custom build and will certainly have that 4D option checked off.
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