okbarnett

I know theres lots of ideas about upgrading the stock Command stereo systems in SLs .
I started thinking about modifying my 03 SL55 a couple months ago.
Im all for ripping out the stock systems andreplacing everything with hi quality audio equipment. But what about all the stuff you lose? Voice recognition, Integrated hands free phone with Bluetooth, steering wheel controls..
I found this review here and decided to go this route.

https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-ele...es-inside.html

This just gives you another IN to the Command system. All you get is a additional audio and video input to the commands blank button, which is used in europe as a tv - video, I guess, input. So you can virtually add a whole system thru that one IN.

I set up a whole system of nav/dvd/sirius pretty simular to his. But the output of the system still can be modified. Replacing speakers, and maybe if you find some interface, expansion of the amps, etc.
Everything I did was cheap, ebay used components. Maybe $500 total.

I found 2 companies that do this mon, tvandnav to go, and Nav tool

http://www.tvandnav.com/index.asp?Pa...ROD&ProdID=212

I used tvand nav. But I think the nav tool does a more user friendly conversion, it looks like it has new wire connectors that just plug in. I had plenty of trouble trying to figure out what I was supposed to do with all the stuff they sent me. Poor instructions and many phone calls to them were required to get it to work.

So what Ive got is all the stock mercedes audio and video, but on the blank botton, Ive got all Alpine Navagation system, and DVD player, and Sirius. Which is all controlled on the car like the other command am/fm/cd, etc.

It works. It was a little more than $1000.

The components are in the trunk on the pass side shelf, the gps and sirius antennas are under the hood vent, pass side. I had to put in a seperate speed pulse generator on a rear wheel well for the nav.

okbarnett

To answer several question,
yes the dvd and nav work all the time, when driving. That is done with a pulse trigger add-on that fools the parking brake sensor on dvds and nav units. Thats a little $30 exrtra.

And i dont know what models they convert. Almost all the Commands that have a blank botton or no built in dvd.

And it depends on the components you add on. But Alpine is capable of adding a Ipod and any other dvd changers and tv tuners.

OUTCAST

Very nice work might have to look into this myself

jmf003

+1. Very nice!

lawdawg

just bought a 03 sl55 without bluetooth, do you know if there is an easy way to integrate it with the alpine system? Looking for ideas

okbarnett

I think a lot of the new head units have bluetooth and other features. But you could use any other mfg equipment instead of alpine to jack into the one mercedes command input.

theboogers

I really don't care about the nav change but can you add Sirius easily thru the blank button without the other units and still have steering wheel volume and channel controls?
Any parts guidance is appreciated.

okbarnett

All you are getting is a video and L&R audio input. So youcan add any thing to that input.
But check the products available. There are few sirius units that are a only sirius reciever.
You would need to find something that had the video out so you could get the displays on the screen. It would be easier to get the mercedes sirius add on tuner, if thats all you are after.

SL65MONSTA

i want to do this to my car too ? how

lh713

Although it was expensive, I had Motorwerks of Houston, replace the COMAND system in my 2006 SL55 with a newer COMAND unit for a 2009 or 2010 SL. All the BOSE system was removed and the Harmon Kardon system was installed, together with a Reus upgrade. Accordingly, everything in the car works as it is supposed to work, and I was even able to add a backup camera. Next to the Burmester upgrade in my S550, this is one of the best sounding systems I have ever heard in a car. Moreover, the newer unit has modern Bluetooth features and it can be paired with an outboard media center for Bluetooth radio and video inputting. Everything fits in the existing places, so no one can tell it did not come in the car originally.

okbarnett

theres some more updated equipment now available. Probably easier and less expensive, you have to explore the market

braddman

You don't need to **** with that **** anymore. Get a modern android double din head unit. Look for my thread.

braddman

J spaulding

I have an "07 SL550 that came with the 129 channel SAT tuner built in. Since I wanted to listen to Sirius channel #501 there is a problem because my tuner will only load up to the first 129 channels of the potential 500+ channels on the Music/Entertainment package. Are these tuner modules interchangeable in order to
get the higher station count? I spoke with Sirius and they said that the only possibility is for me to stream #501 through a phone to the Command unit. That's why I am hoping that the later tuners are plug and play. I hate to have to call Deltron (Delco) to get this info but I will if necessary. I am hoping this info is availabe
on this site.
Thanks for any help.