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Nir, great video thanks. I have three questions:

1. How many POIs are stored in the iGO nav system? Usually there are between 2M to 8M for most nav systems. It would be great to see an example of searching for a POI.
2. Some of the dash electronics such as 'Settings...' in the SL require the use of the + and - steering wheel buttons. Do these still work after installing the new nav unit?
3. Does the iGO nav unit support voice recognition or voice commands?

Thanks.

 

Thanks for posting the video, very informative.

 

nir, what's your final setup on your audio system?
Which amp powering the front speakers and which for the subwoofer?

 

Nir, nice equipment except for the radio. I understand that it has the look of factory, but the sound quality of Kraco. I am surprised the audio shop didn't scream "bloody murder" when you presented it to them. My experience with that radio setup was horrid. SD card for NAV corrupts the whole IGO, when going to the IGO Primo Nav it will crash, the screen warning saying something about master, and the EQ called Amplifier... I was looking at making something for an older Maserati when I came across the same thing you have with a different facia.... I don't want to say it is junk, as some people see value in it, and I definitely do not want to insult you either, but my personal and professional opinion is that it is on the low end of the radio food chain

I do want to congratulate you on the mods though, not many people would go to the extreme you did with the interior. I'd hide the GPS antenna also, under one of the front hood cowls.

Also there is a Pioneer radio with voice control, I couldn't get it to work though when I seen it on display which is why I prefer Kenwood

 

I'm starting to get really sick of the standard '04 head unit. So... the only thing I would have to change is the AMP to make it work with my BOSE sound system, right?

 

here's an 03 upgraded to top 8'' Alpine nav unit. xm, bluetooth, iphone, camera etc

 

Give us more detail... do the steering wheel controls work with this unit? Do you still have to replace the factory amp?

 

In an 03 (plus many other years), there really isn't anything worth saving. Ok, you do lose the "factory" look, but even MB new stuff isn't really up to par. so you rip out old amp, and it was replaced with a slim Rockford 100amp/4channel. This is the Alpine INE-z928HD 8'' nav unit. You kind of have to make a custom cage for it to mount in existing opening. also, you have to eliminate the swing out cup holders. You also have to fab a small trim ring, which turns out to be rather simple. I used the existing speakers at least for now. actually they are fine. you use the amp in the head unit for I think the sub/bass channels, and the new amp for the other speakers. It has an integrated controller for XM, as well as other stuff if you look it up. I did attach a rear camera as well. The XM antenna mounts in the well on the front hood. there maybe other places but more hassles. While there, I included a remote Escort redline control in the ashtray, mounting a whip plug just behind the rear view mirror in case I want to take it off. I didn't opt for the involved installed approach. For my driving it's great. It does have control on the steering wheel. Volume/tracks etc. however, if you run thru your command messages on the dash, you will end up changing channels on the radio. there's probably a way to tweak it, but it's not a big issue.

the screen is very big, so reading on it is easy. There is also a 7'' Avic 140 unit that might be worth looking at. At the time I thought bigger the better. depending on your eyes, bigger is better. plus it has a blackout/dark auto nav mode at night that is easy on the eyes. with the top down in bright sun, some vision is hampered. However, I don't think it would make any difference what unit you had.

NOTE: one thing that is essential if you use this unit, is the PAC-7 bypass unit. Otherwise, Alpine requires you to be in park before any adjustments can be made... any. with the bypass, you can adjust on the fly like it should be.

 

VERY GOOD INFO - Thanks!!!!

 

Very good info indeed. But I'm after the head unit that nir installed on his car. Pic: https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...201_143229.jpg

I would like to keep the factory look and the original cupholders. I need to get it to work with my Bose sound system...

 

I considered the overseas unit talked about here and elsewhere. It's expensive and has its own issues. So while not factory, it is the latest in tech for Bluetooth, nav and more. I did use the existing Bose hardware where possible. But it's so proprietary and inferior, it made no sense everywhere. If you went with 7" unit you could keep the cup holders. In my case I made custom cup holders which actually are in a much better location. On one of the other threads is the link to the head unit you're talking about.

 

I am with you Sharkster BUT I am looking at all available options before I make my decision. I want the factory look & feel but I want the best bang for my buck as well... my biggest concerns are being able to use the steering wheel controls & the communication between the instrument panel & the head unit.

 

Wow.. Great Job. I have an 03 Sl55 and very much want to switch out the head unit. The NAV is totally useless as are all the functions of this outdated component. I Like the 8" Alpine much better than the head that looks like the old one. The electronics inside that unit would be inferior to Alpine.
I do have A couple of questions..
1. How did you make the trim?
2. I thought that the existing command center had fiber-optic connectors to the Bose Amp. Did you run new analog lines to the rear? How difficult is that?

Just for reference. If the connection is fibre-optic and the termination is with toslink , then you could use a analog to digital conversion at the head unit and a digital to analog conversion unit to get the signal to the amplifier. This would allow you to use the existing fibre-optic lines and make the installation that much easier.

These units are relatively inexpensive at Monoprice.com . (Digital Coax & Optical Toslink to R/L Stereo Audio Converter. Product code 6884 $22.88 each / R/L Stereo Audio to Digital Coax & Optical Toslink Converter. Product code 8127 $17.86 each )

 

[QUOTE=nir;5040067]Enclosed are the seat pictures. The complete interior panels and carpets were painted black and the seats were recovered. The upholstery shop has the template for the seats, so he can ship them or if you are in so cal he can install them in 1 day. if any of you want to do this, pm me.[/
QUOTE]

How much was it to cover the seats and how did they manage the white stitching on the door panels while painting them black? Also, did they paint the leather handles on the door?

 

How much was it to cover the seats - $1,000

and how did they manage the white stitching on the door panels while painting them black? first paint black then restitch white

Also, did they paint the leather handles on the door? yes

 

This looks very similar to what I did from the speaker brands and sizes to the the 13.5" sub in the floor. I used a Kenwood DNX9980 though for the head unit with a bezel that is made for our cars. It fits perfect. Also used a JL 5 channel amp for the 4 speakers and the sub, and a cheap Pioneer I had laying around for the center channel.

I went with the DNX-9980 as opposed to 9990 as Kenwood abandoned the 5 channel output for some reason on the newer model. GPS is in the grill near the wipers outside, and the factory satellite radio antenna was used for XM.

 

May I ask what shop did the seat work?

~ Ian

 

Nir I am interested in seeing you car and hearing how your system sounds. as I am in the middle of upgrading my '03 SL 500. Feel free to call me. I'm also in the LA area. my name is Mike 310.930.2288. hope to hear from you soon. thanks!

 

Wondering about the factory clock. Isn't it driven by the stock unit, under system? Will I lose the clock if I use the chinese replacement unit?

 

Could you PLEASE help me get the seat covers or forward me to the right Place to get them?

 

x2 please? Thanks in advance..

 

????????

 

PLEASE!!!!! I need that upholstery !!!!!!! Damn it is hard to find someone who makes these...

 

Clock solution
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...-solution.html