Hi All,
I wanted to share the work I did to replace my COMMAND 2.5 on my 2009 SL550.

Most of the posts talk about pre-2009 models so I thought this might be useful to others.

The below configuration gives me full steering-wheel access to phone and volume, just like it was with the Command. In addition, when I long press the phone button on the steering wheel it activates Siri.

I had Best Buy do the installation for me. I purchased the Total Tech support which only costs $200 for one year and includes all installation, no matter how many times you go. This made sense as I installed both the radio and a front and back camera so labor was only $200 and the rest was just parts. I did have to give the panel removal instructions to the tech to install the back camera but they did a great job.



One thing to note is that with the Spiral Audio Harness below, you can't get full control of the back speakers, i.e. they are on but you can't individually boost them. With this configuration the rear speakers work as in the OEM set up. I've heard that some other solutions can give individual control of the satellite speakers.

Parts used:

Radio: DMX9707S - $400 best buy (special discount). It has wireless Carplay/Android which is a huge convenience.

Dash Kit - Spiral Audio: $80 (Link)

Harness - Spiral Audio: $400 (link)

Front camera: Reverse Backup Camera, RAAYOO L002 170 ( )

Backup camera: Momento - C3 Back-Up Camera - (Link)

I hope this is useful to others.

Edit: Added photos

 

Photos..?

 

Ooops, I knew I forgot something. I added them in the OP

 

Is that a phone holder next to your drivers side temp dial? Doesn't that render that cup holder inop? Picture of that setup would be interesting.

 

Yes it is a phone holder and indeed it doesn't allow me use my phone at the same time as a cup holder but I used the passenger one when I needed to. Now however with the new radio setup I don't need to use it anymore. I have some side pockets on my seat that I use to put my phone.

 

Wondering if this setup will work on 2008 also what did you do with the original unit, are you keeping it or selling it. Thinking if I change I could offset the cost by selling the original command unit

 

Install looks great! I was thinking about upgrading my 2011 but I would have never thought that Best Buy could install it!

 

I looked into that a couple years ago for my 09 Sl550. Nobody made a harness at that time. This must be a new item.
Did you use the stock speakers?

I did the conversion on my 07 Sl65 but that harness has been around for a while.

 

anyone reading this be aware that it's fairly easy to keep your fiber optic and stock amp
a write up about one I put together with a memberd will be posted soon

 

The setup will work for various years, the website link I put in the OP will show you.
I have put the original for sale on eBay but have not had anyone buy it yet.

 

With this setup I kept the original fiber optic and stock amp which is why this set up is great.

 

Yes the speakers are stock. That us why this set up is great, I only changed the radio and installed the harness. Amp, fiber optic and speakers are all stock.

 

oh yes
sorry I just saw that
you could have got the fiber converter for 50$

you can only sell the old OEM command if you have the pin code
I have access to them

 

How does the pin code work, is it a code that unlocks the device or it needs to be entered every-time once installed in the new car?

 

yup

anti theft

 

Hi Everyone
Sorry for the delay and response to this educational thread. Its taken awhile to complete my install with everything else going on in my life, but worth the effort. I must give an immediate shout out to the "BenzNinja" Peter, without his expertise and knowledge none of this would have been possible. I found Peter on this website, after several emails he put a DAS system/package together for me. It has been a blessing along with Peter 24/7 service and advice. He guided me to the system that I purchased and finally I installed. Prior to the removal of my Comand system, I had lost all communications within the system. The 15 y/o system is so obsolete that I didn't want to invest in OEM fixes/replacement so here's my upgrade. During removal of everything I found the initial problem with the "Lost Communications" a broken optic fiber line (photo). which was great because I was using my stock Bose Amp and speakers. After rerouting all the good optic fiber lines to the new stereo thru the new optic fiber decoder box. Peter recommended it all, he assisted in the wiring/install and it all communicated together and worked a treat. The in dash install took a few hours of riddling around, fabricating my own mounting brackets etc, but finally it was done. I did lose my cup holders because I opted for the larger screen, but I'm fine with that I didn't use them anyway. I did install a new radio side mount antenna in place of the existing CTEL antenna on the drivers side rear fender. I know have crystal clear radio reception.
So, here it is: Large color touch screen, NAV, Bluetooth , phone, am/fm radio, DVD video in I want it, I'm pre-wired for a backup camera and voice commands. All in all very happy with every thing. I know have many OEM parts? Not sure what I'm going to do with them yet, any ideas?

Thanks everyone

 

Thanks for posting an example install of the ALiExpress bigger screen units. I've been eying these and wondering how they'd look. Nice looking install!.

 

happy to help
got a headache searching these parts weeks ago
nothing was clear for later R230 series

 

Will the fiber optic decorder allow you to still have steering wheel controls, if so then I can purchase the decoder box for less that $100 instead of $400 for the wiring harness.

 

Hi Peter, can you help me with the pin on my old command?

 

yes it does
box is marked as optional



its the little black box on the special car connection wiring picture
simply a canbus box

 

Hi KCG

I didn't hook up the steering wheel controls yet. When I install my new rear view camera system I will finish all my hook ups then. The fiber optic decoder box is just for the existing system, so you can use your amp etc without rewiring everything. But you have to set it up in Das so it can read everything correctly without throwing FAIL codes. Its simple to follow. The diagrams (photo) shows the wiring hookups and connectors that come with the stereo. I had to go to there website to download them. So yes you can set it up for your steering controls to work.

 

Hi Danaw007,
I have a 2011 as well. did you ever upgrade your 2011 command center?

Thanks!