SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: Seicane upgrade

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Old Feb 15, 2018 | 01:40 AM
  #1  
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2003 SL500
Seicane upgrade

Heya folks
new to the board ...well this forum anyway.
Has anyone been down the road of converting standard headunit to the Seicane for the TV and other tricks the unit can provide.
I have a 2003 SL500
I did google and searched in the forum but not a lot to go on.
Didn't want to re-invent the wheel
Peter
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Old Apr 27, 2018 | 06:40 PM
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1998 M-B s420
Seicane oem replacement head unit.

We have one ordered for our 2003 SL500. If you get to the seicane.com website oh, you'll find lots of good information about installing the radiooh, and I have found that their tech department is pretty responsive to questions, even if they're syntaxes is slightly twisted
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Old May 2, 2018 | 01:04 PM
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Can you tell me how you did the antenna connection , My reception is awful on the seicane unit
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Old Jun 7, 2018 | 08:13 AM
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I just received the seicane radio and optional 6m cable for my 2004 SL500 (w/Bose and D2B fiber). I can't see how this is plug n play. Ive been pouring over the crappy pictures they send and it seems like I have to disassemble the stock harness that goes into the amplifier. I had already come to terms with removing the amplifier, but does anyone know if there is another option than cutting off the plug and soldering wires together?
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Old Jun 7, 2018 | 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by tcalef
I just received the seicane radio and optional 6m cable for my 2004 SL500 (w/Bose and D2B fiber). I can't see how this is plug n play. Ive been pouring over the crappy pictures they send and it seems like I have to disassemble the stock harness that goes into the amplifier. I had already come to terms with removing the amplifier, but does anyone know if there is another option than cutting off the plug and soldering wires together?
That is odd as other members have said its plug n play but did say no bass response probably due to going around the amp
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Old Jun 9, 2018 | 06:22 PM
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I thought that all the connectors on the Seicane is made just like the original Mercedes connectors so there should be no need to cut any wires since all is made to be plug and play
That is my understanding after reading what they say on their homepage..
So you have to cut and splice wires?
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Old Jun 10, 2018 | 04:51 AM
  #7  
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that 6 meter cable

Originally Posted by ozc204
That is odd as other members have said its plug n play but did say no bass response probably due to going around the amp
that 6 meter cable Is to run back to the bose amp where you pull out the wiring loom that has all the speaker wires and then that plugs into the 6 meter cable which uses the head unit to power the speakers directly by passing the amp.

there is an optional fiber optic box that allows you to use the bose amp https://www.seicane.com/2005-2006-me...-receiver-sc02
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Old Jun 10, 2018 | 09:07 AM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by poptopclk
there is an optional fiber optic box that allows you to use the bose amp...
That works with the MOST fiber optic bus on a 2005 or newer car but not with the D2B of a 2004 or older.
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Old Jun 10, 2018 | 11:09 AM
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Also, Ii believe that you lose front/rear fader control with that interface box.
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Old Jun 10, 2018 | 11:36 AM
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Don't see how this is an upgrade
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Old Jun 10, 2018 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Bahnstormer
Don't see how this is an upgrade
The android units provide 2018 functionality that is far superior to the 15 year old technology that our cars came equipped with. Just a few of the upgrades are:

- Custom screen layouts
- Custom wallpapers
- Seamless Bluetooth
- Onboard memory storage
- Superior GPS Mapping
- Voice Input
- Built in WiFi
- Onboard OBD Code Reader

And for those who choose a full Bose delete, you can get superior sound with greater range and deeper bass response

I've gone a different route than the Seicane unit since I desired more screen real estate, but an Android unit nonetheless. While the 10 inch footprint of the unit I chose wouldn't be for everyone, I can definitely say that I could never imagine going back to a non-computer based head unit ever again.


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Old Jun 10, 2018 | 11:32 PM
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......and it still won't do sat radio.
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Old Jun 11, 2018 | 12:56 AM
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Originally Posted by BlownV8
......and it still won't do sat radio.
??? The Sirius XM App works perfectly. In addition, RDS & Digital Radio comes built in with most Android units. Most units also allow for both a front mounted camera with built in DVR, as well as a rear backup camera that has a pickup to recognise reverse gear. And these units can be wired directly into the Canbus to retain steering wheel functionality.
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Old Jun 11, 2018 | 07:31 AM
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You have to access via web browser, correct? You don't actually have sat radio on but you can access via a web browser or app? That's not the same. I travel in remote areas with little to no cell service so that won't work for me. Even if I had good cell service, I wouldn't want to burn through cell data.

With that said, if you are happy, that's all that matters.
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Old Jun 11, 2018 | 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by BlownV8
You have to access via web browser, correct? You don't actually have sat radio on but you can access via a web browser or app? That's not the same. I travel in remote areas with little to no cell service so that won't work for me. Even if I had good cell service, I wouldn't want to burn through cell data.

With that said, if you are happy, that's all that matters.
You install a Serius XM antenna and interface just like you would with any other stereo. The Sirius XM app simply replaces the Hardware tuner module. The entire experience is exactly as if you had a hardwired tuner installed. No cell connection is needed as you're accessing the satellite via the dedicated antenna exactly as you currently do. But with the Android unit you don't need to have an additional tuner installed as you do now. Cleans up the cockpit.
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Old Jun 11, 2018 | 06:57 PM
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That's a game changer for me.
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 09:45 AM
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I thought the Seicane 7.1 Andoid unit was good? I also like the fact that it looks like the factory comand unit
I have been playing with the thought of buying a Seicane unit.
And now that they have upgraded the DAB plus radio part is great for me since i live in a country that only transmits digital radio. Well we get local radio statations on FM
You an also connect the OBD2 to the Seicane radio via an OBD2 adapter which is a plus if you can read fault codes and reset them. Or it might be just showing some info like the rpm`s and so on...

If i buy one i might also try out the wireless back up camerea





Here is the menu for some of the OBD 2 menu features

Last edited by TheSaint; Jun 14, 2018 at 10:49 AM.
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 05:22 PM
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^^^^ Just to confirm, the Torque App is the full version of the app and connects to OBDII via an ELM Bluetooth adapter ($15) plugged into the OBDII port. It can both read and reset Fault Codes, as well as return real time information. The App allows for 8 customizable screen layouts with custom gauge displays. Things like fuel trims, MAF Flow rates, Intake Temps, O2 sensor voltage outputs, fuel flow rates, etc; can all be presented via either an analog or digital displayed gauge in real time.
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 07:21 PM
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Can't find anything on their website about being XM/Sirius compatible.
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 11:22 PM
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Originally Posted by BlownV8
Can't find anything on their website about being XM/Sirius compatible.
I've a bit of a Mea Culpa. I contacted my buddy who has Sirius XM installed on his Android Unit. He is running both the Sirius app AND a hardwired Sirius receiver. Since I'd only seen him use the app, I'd assumed the connections was direct as opposed to over Wifi as you'd correctly suggested. Turns out he simply prefers to use access via the app in his daily driving and only uses his tuners on longer out of range trips. So I was incorrect in stating that you could use the app instead of the tuner. He just had the tuner stored in his glovebox, so I never knew it was there. So you must continue to use your standalone tuner to access Sirius directly, and it connects to the Android unit through the auxilary in port just like a standard installation. My apologies for my misinformation on that point. Here is a video detailing the installation on an Android unit.

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Old Jun 15, 2018 | 07:26 AM
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Yep, that's what I thought. Off the table again.
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Old Jul 26, 2021 | 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by poptopclk
that 6 meter cable Is to run back to the bose amp where you pull out the wiring loom that has all the speaker wires and then that plugs into the 6 meter cable which uses the head unit to power the speakers directly by passing the amp.

there is an optional fiber optic box that allows you to use the bose amp https://www.seicane.com/2005-2006-me...-receiver-sc02
I am trying to connect the 6 meter cable to the speaker wires in the loom that connects to the Bose amp. Do you know what color wires in the loom are for the left front and rear, and for the right front and rear? I can't find the wiring diagram.
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