SL/R230: Looking to replace my command system
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Joined: Oct 2009
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03 SL55,01 acura cls,05 lotus elise RIP
My budget just got blown
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.
. 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.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Maryland
E55
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
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From: Lincoln, NE
2005 SL600, 2016 ES300h, 2012 Hayabusa
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
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03 SL55,01 acura cls,05 lotus elise RIP
. 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.
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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.
. 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.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.
Last edited by AMGfan; Dec 3, 2009 at 04:46 PM.
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From: Lincoln, NE
2005 SL600, 2016 ES300h, 2012 Hayabusa
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
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From: Bellevue, WA
2009 VW CC
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.
. 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.
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?
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From: Lincoln, NE
2005 SL600, 2016 ES300h, 2012 Hayabusa
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.
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05 Iridium/Charcoal SL600
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.
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.
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2016 E250 Bluetec 2002 CL55, 2000 430CLK Cab
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 machine the faceplate so it's ALWAYS perfect
You should do some research and find out who can handle the install and is familiar with the car in your area. Where are you located?
You should do some research and find out who can handle the install and is familiar with the car in your area. Where are you located?
Cheers!
