mdotpoker

So I got 3 quotes today to do a nav setup similar to AMGfan's. I was looking to spend $3k or $3.5K and the total came in at $5500 .
The Kenwood DNX9140 head unit was cheap too, it was on sale for $1399. I knew there had to be a catch .
So now I am trying to decide if the command sucks $5500 worth or if I'm going to get a Kleeman K3 upgrade and use my blackberry nav.

NEMES1S

so they want 4k to install it? or that include the speaker and amp upgrades?

omar26

I doubt the install is 4,000, I got a estimate for labor and supplies from motorwerks for 1,500. I got a connect on audio equipment so i'll save some money there. Im either going to do the Trim like wickedrsr's or this one I found off another forum

NEMES1S

wow, the interior work on that car....matte carbon.....that is amazing.

omar26

It does look nice, he used a wrap, and I think someone in the classifieds is selling it for 35/yd

NEMES1S

wow, that is pretty affordable, at that price I'd wrap my desk at work....

NEMES1S

on the car with the wood, I don't think that having a standard din style stereo in a mercedes works at all. The 7" dual dins work because the factory stereos look somewhat like that. Props to whoever did that interior as well, looks super clean

mdotpoker

Each place wanted 4K for the install and it included an amp because of the Bose. There were no speaker upgrades. They claim it's because of the fiber optics. After thinking about it overnight I call . I'm going to get more quotes from Denver this week. I think this is a case of look at the guy in an AMG let's get him for as much as possible.

AMGfan

Did they give you a breakdown of that $4K? Usually, installer charge $80-$100 for custom work...and if you know them well enough and it is a bigger job then they will knock that hourly down more...

How many hours were they quoting you for them to complete the job? I know your pain...finding a good shop is becoming more of the exception than the rule...it's a tough business to be in.

G/L!

Jon

PS Consider the DNX8120...it is the model before the 9140...it is chock full of utility and SQ and less expensive now since it is the outgoing model. Also, you can try a multichannel amp (plus one small to run center) to run the whole system to get economical and still get better sound than stock.

NEMES1S

I think they are trying to hose you a bit.....but I haven't really done too much complete system stuff. I can see how it would get very time consuming to do it the right way in a car like these

BrabusMan

That's some of the biggest BS I have ever heard. We charge $4000 out the door for the Kenwood DNX9140 installed in an SL. And we CNC machiene the faceplate so it's ALWAYS perfect

You should do some research and find out who can handle the install and is familar with the car in your area. Where are you located?

NEMES1S

you saying you charge 4000 for just the installation of the dnx9140? I was planning to install it into one of my cars (don't need the cnc'd trim panel) but I found the deck itself for 1200 shipped and under.....I guess I need to start installing stereos.

atebit

Sure, but in these cars there is apparently a lot of work to do. At a minimum, you'd need new speakers (doors, rears and subwoofer), and would have to run copper from the dash/HU to behind the seats, under the storage compartment where the factory amp is, in order to bypass it.

The DNX-9140 is only 22W RMS (just like all the other DNX HUs), so you definitely would need to replace the Bose amp with something else. 22W RMS with the top down probably won't sound all that great.

Replacing the sub in the stock location most likely requires a custom enclosure. Most threads I have seen & installers I have talked to recommend adding some pillar-mounted tweeters as well.

So it is a lot of work. I've been quoted anywhere between $3K-6K, with the lower pricing using a lower-end DNX, like the DNX-5140. I have a DNX-5120 in my truck, and I'm fine with the interface on that.

Still, even acknowledging it's a lot of work, that's a lot of cash to throw down after just buying the car. I've got an iTronic installed right now that gives me BT and iPod. Of course it retains the "No Highs, No Lows, it's Bose" sound, and the horrible HU user interface. But at least I have the core functionality.

I'm sure at some point I'll get really tired of the way it sounds, the fact that I can't skip backwards in shuffle mode, or for that matter, have to re-select shuffle mode every time I get in the car or change sources, and opt to rip everything out and write the big check, just don't know when.

pbmaxx

Yes, please share

Suvneer

FYI, we sell them for $40 shipped per yard
sry for thread hijack.

paul65k

Who can you recommend in Orange County/San Diego? I have the 9140 in my 2000 CLK that was an easy install.....no panel modification that I want to move into my new (to me) 2002 CL55 AMG. The difference in these 2 systems as previously described is huge but taking out the old 3 piece command system and replacing with a Double DIN will require mucho modification to the wood panel and I am hesitant to go with someone without a good deal of experience.

Cheers!

Adastra

Could you send me the contact information of the guy who made the custom faceplate, too. Id like to install Kenwood DNX9140 in my SL500 03. Thanks