English-exile

Hi All, a new member to the forum.

I am just about to install a new Pioneer AVIC-W8400 in my '07 SL550. I have seen a number of discussions on this subject but may have missed some of the answers. Anyone willing to humour me and answer the following, please?

1). How good is the (expensive) NAV-TV OPTI-1 converter? I read stories of audio hiss from installers? Do the cheaper interfaces ///AVIN for example, work as well?

2). Where can I find a convenient wire with the VSS signal to splice into the head unit?

3). I can source a reverse signal from the rear light cluster and bypass the parking brake sensor, but a neater source route for all three signals might be a CAN bus interface? Anyone know of a good one that works reliably with the SL? (there are lots that claim to work for just about everything except the SL!).

4). If I abandon the NAV-TV OPTI-1, I was thinking of putting an amp for the sub-woofer where the Bose amp currently sits and using the four 50W channels on the Pioneer to power the rest. Any experience on the best way to wire these - particularly the front dash centre speaker?

5). Lastly, can I re-use the Merc sat nav antenna? If so, what interface do I need and if not, Where is the best but still efficient place to hide the Pioneer antenna?

Many thanks!

Rudeney

Generally, if you get one of the CAN bus interfaces that enables the steering wheel button controls, they also provide the signals for VSS, reverse, illumination and accessory on/off. I am not sure whwy they don't list compatibility with the SL, but any that are for a MY2005-MY2009 MBZ car shoudl work.

English-exile

Thanks. I was puzzled by that too. Neither PAC nor iDataLink list compatibility with the SL and the only device Axxess list as compatible (ASC-1) works the SWC only. I've written to them for clarification.

bobterry99

The Bose is no ordinary amplifier and incorporates active crossover networks, sound equalisation customized to the R230 interior, digital signal processing, and seven channels of amplification. Note that there are no external crossover elements in the speaker system, and that would include the pair of speakers in each door, or course.

English-exile

A number of models (eg SLK) had MOST25 amps, but did they have the Bose amp? This may be why some of the interfaces designed for SLK don't work with the SL?

I'm leaning to keeping the Bose amp for the reasons bobterry99 articulates, but I am a bit of an audiophile and I'm worried about the clicking or hiss some owners have reported when using the NAV-TV OPTI-1 interface.

57staff

The R230 and other models (W220 I think) use a BOSE 1466M amp. I am researching this now as I might do this upgrade. The key thing is finding the amp that has the right connector and power for our cars.

I'm coming from a D2B car, so I will need an amp, a connector to the amp, plus a MOST connector. This assumes an aftermarket HU plus a MOST adaptor.

English-exile

Which MOST adapter are you considering? As I said above, I hear mixed reports on the NAV-TV OPTI-1

57staff

I was going to go with one of the cheap Chinese knock-offs - AVIN I think.

Still in the planning stage on this as there is a lot to modifying a pre-2005 R230:

1) Change or modify lower center console trim
2) New cupholder trim covers
3) Head unit support frame
4) Head Unit trim
5) MOST adapter
6) MOST Amp
7) MOST cable to go from Amp to MOST adapter
8) Amp connector - then splicing in the wiring from the D2B amp connector
9) New head unit
9) CANBUS adapter

This seems like a DIY job, but certainly would take at least 1 day if not 2 to get it done. Right now just seeing if I can source all the parts. The MOST amp is pretty easy as eBay has a bunch. It's the pigtail to connect to the amp that is hard to find. I've seen some W220 amp connectors but I have doubts about it fitting.

For head unit I was thinking of the Kenwood DDX9905s. I have an earlier version of this in my Boxster and I like how it syncs up with my phone and I can get everything I need - Android Auto, Google Maps, Pandora, and HD Radio. It cost me about $2k for an audio shop to put it in my Porsche with backup camera and replacing the Bose amp with a Kenwood 5-channel. But I think the Porsche speakers are better suited to just an amp replacement compared to the SL. Just an opinion, I could be proven wrong on that.

English-exile

Sounds a fun project and more ambitious than mine. But you are spending a bunch of money and the analogue/digital interface is the weakest link. I saw the ///Avin and wonder if its any good? Anybody using it? It's a fraction of the price of the NAV-TV product.

FiatL

Searching around the various forums, I noticed a general lack of product support for the AVIN unit. I went to a local home & auto HiFi shop and had them recommend the best setup for me (admittedly not an audiophile). They installed the NAV-TV OPTI-1 in mine last week. I have yet to hear any of the hissing and popping. Still learning my way around the Kenwood DDX9905S, Android Auto, Apple Car Play and the 3 cameras, though.

English-exile

That is reassuring, thanks. Apparently it is most noticeable when the ambient noise is low eg stationary with the ignition off?

57staff

I ordered a Bose amp for a W220 model. Looking at the BOSE product tag for the R230 amp, all MB did was overwrite the W220 model designation with the R230. MB put the R230 part number on their sticker.

Basically, I was looking for an amp with the connector. No R230 amps came with the connector pigtail but some of the W220s did have the connector.