SL/R230: 2007 SL55 stereo upgrade
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 47
From: Yorba Linda CA
94 SL320 98 SL500 99 SL600 07 SL55
2007 SL55 stereo upgrade
I just got a 2007 SL55 I feel the stereo is weak and low power. I would like to upgrade it using the stock Command unit. Has any one swapped out the amp and speakers using this stock head unit?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 471
Likes: 119
From: North West England
SL500
What head unit do you have in at the moment?
COMAND head unit is 17 years old. Wouldn't even consider it an upgrade on an AM/LW radio
, and if you have an audio 20 headunit, then far too much work to install.
The COMAND Headunit is not an amplifier, so wont help with audio power! This is done in the audio gateway and BOSE amplifiers.
Look for modern alternatives, and fit with good speakers and amplifier.
COMAND head unit is 17 years old. Wouldn't even consider it an upgrade on an AM/LW radio
, and if you have an audio 20 headunit, then far too much work to install.The COMAND Headunit is not an amplifier, so wont help with audio power! This is done in the audio gateway and BOSE amplifiers.
Look for modern alternatives, and fit with good speakers and amplifier.
Last edited by g0rsq; Mar 12, 2023 at 06:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 47
From: Yorba Linda CA
94 SL320 98 SL500 99 SL600 07 SL55
What head unit do you have in at the moment?
COMAND head unit is 17 years old. Wouldn't even consider it an upgrade on an AM/LW radio, and if you have an audio 20 headunit, then far too much work to install.
The COMAND Headunit is not an amplifier, so wont help with audio power! This is done in the audio gateway and BOSE amplifiers.
Look for modern alternatives, and fit with good speakers and amplifier.
COMAND head unit is 17 years old. Wouldn't even consider it an upgrade on an AM/LW radio
, and if you have an audio 20 headunit, then far too much work to install.The COMAND Headunit is not an amplifier, so wont help with audio power! This is done in the audio gateway and BOSE amplifiers.
Look for modern alternatives, and fit with good speakers and amplifier.
Last edited by FATHERTIME; Mar 12, 2023 at 08:05 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 70
Likes: 13
From: Indianapolis
2009 SL550 2009 SL63
Everything I have read about this process points to it being a huge PITA. I would tread lightly here, or maybe just reconsider? I get wanting to upgrade the amps and speakers and maintaining the factory look, but this is going to be a sizeable job, if it even works. I would consider replacing the head unit with one that sort of looks like the factory one, then you can bypass most of the headaches involved with replacing the rest.
Just a suggestion. This one doesn't say it will work in an 07, but something like this would go a long way to keeping the factory'ish look at least.
https://radio-upgrade.com/products/m...ereo-2001-2005
Just a suggestion. This one doesn't say it will work in an 07, but something like this would go a long way to keeping the factory'ish look at least.
https://radio-upgrade.com/products/m...ereo-2001-2005
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 47
From: Yorba Linda CA
94 SL320 98 SL500 99 SL600 07 SL55
Yeah, I've been looking at some alternatives I really like the CD changer in my R129's but guess gonna have to give that up. And looked at some "how to" you tubes on this and it does look like a PITA even to upgrade head unit much less the rest of the system I will need to find a shop familiar with this car and see what they can offer.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 47
From: Yorba Linda CA
94 SL320 98 SL500 99 SL600 07 SL55
I own 3 R129's and drive the s@#t outta all of them I wanted the 2007 SL55 cause of the horse power and suspension. I race all my cars and know them well for their abilities.
The SL55 has a lot of nice bells and whistles over the R129 but lacks in smoothness. If my 99 SL600 had a supercharger that would be all I need, I gotta say the SL55 is a rocket
I bought a smaller 83mm pulley for it as a start to make it faster and will go smaller if this works well. The guy I got it from put 20" wheels on it and those gotta go it's like riding a skateboard
I bought a set of 18" Ronal wheels that my 98 SL500 and 99 SL600 use I'm sure they will help the R230 ride
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 70
Likes: 13
From: Indianapolis
2009 SL550 2009 SL63
I have an 09 so I have the "new" head unit, it has a pretty dated display for sure but it works and sounds great. Funny you would mention the CD changer, I've never used it myself. Just the music registry and on occasion the SD card for more storage. I bet it was pretty cool back when it came out, to be able to convert music off CDs right to MP3 and store it in the radio.
I think it plays DVDs too, but I don't have any these days. Always meant to find one to try it out though.
I think it plays DVDs too, but I don't have any these days. Always meant to find one to try it out though.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 29
Likes: 5
From: Orlando Florida
'07 SL550 80m miles, '98 e430 350k miles - 02 E55 AMG 165k miles - 07 SL550 72k mile
have a look at this .. $200
https://www.mr12volt.com/collections/mercedes
I bought one for my 07 sl550 - have not installed it yet but . . . i did a bunch of research and, hope springs eternal, this should do what i want with the sacrifice of only the CD changer
web site has a chat feature that leads to someone who then responds
after install then next step will be to change screen on comand unit - video available, youtube i think, shows complete instructions - looked ez enough that i think even i can do it
https://www.mr12volt.com/collections/mercedes
I bought one for my 07 sl550 - have not installed it yet but . . . i did a bunch of research and, hope springs eternal, this should do what i want with the sacrifice of only the CD changer
web site has a chat feature that leads to someone who then responds
after install then next step will be to change screen on comand unit - video available, youtube i think, shows complete instructions - looked ez enough that i think even i can do it
Last edited by GregScheller; Mar 14, 2023 at 05:57 PM. Reason: add info
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 47
From: Yorba Linda CA
94 SL320 98 SL500 99 SL600 07 SL55
The Bose system in my SL55 is weak compared to all my R129's So if I have to replace it with an aftermarket system I lose the CD changer IMO the CD's produce better sound than Blue Tooth and MP3 this is the reason to try to upgrade all components including amps and speakers down stream of the factory unit, I'm not interested in the MP3 or Blue Tooth. But if i have to trash it all for another system then I'm faced with a shop that knows this car I'm willing to remove my panels for this. This car is much more complicated wiring wise than my R129's. I do like the COMAND head I was hoping maybe there are more powerful Bose components I could swap out. But if I must go to Best Buy for installation then I need t know what to buy so that all the features I have now excluding the CD changer works.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 471
Likes: 119
From: North West England
SL500
The BOSE System on mt R230 can not be described as weak!
Is yours a BOSE system?
You could retrofit the BOSE system (two extra amplifiers and subwoofer, but would be a lot of work, and likely need a doner car for the amplifiers and wiring.
Enclosed is "shopping list" of main parts you would need.
If you want a "powerful" aftermarket solution, the best bet would be to rip everything out completely, fit a new head unit, amplifier and sub. Speakers are 2 Ohm, so probably would need replacing. You can get a CANBUS decoder for most head units that will give you steering wheel controls
Is yours a BOSE system?
You could retrofit the BOSE system (two extra amplifiers and subwoofer, but would be a lot of work, and likely need a doner car for the amplifiers and wiring.
Enclosed is "shopping list" of main parts you would need.
If you want a "powerful" aftermarket solution, the best bet would be to rip everything out completely, fit a new head unit, amplifier and sub. Speakers are 2 Ohm, so probably would need replacing. You can get a CANBUS decoder for most head units that will give you steering wheel controls
Last edited by g0rsq; Mar 15, 2023 at 06:17 PM.
