Austinsec

Have a r230 (sl55) 2003. I bought a Secane radio. The radio did not work well from day one , they sent part I replace and now zero reception, I have option to ship back for replacement to China at a cost of 80.00
Or should I just give up do charge back and buy something else .
I have to make decision. I do need am/fm reception I am in NY it is very important.

57staff

You can always just get an aftermarket head unit. You will probably need a custom surround plus replace the Bose amp with a 5 channel amp. You're looking at around $2k for that work.

My question is why do you need FM reception? Is FM reception that important in your life that you can't be without it?

Austinsec

We like to listen to live radio rather than recordings , also we listen to talk radio AM.

Bdubblu

You're the first I've read of that has issues with the Seicane. I've heard nothing but good things about it. I'd refuse to pay shipping back if something were wrong.
But no reception? That sounds like it could be an installation error. You've gone back thru it and double checked?

Austinsec

Secane have the worst track record , you can do a search on it in the forums. I finally got around to removing it to ship back they are saying it is past return peroiod. I have had this crap for less than a year . The only use it has is if you tether your phone and use data for streaming youtube. BTW every time you turn off the car you need to turn off wifi and turn back on for it to connect to hotspot.
Anyway I gave them until today to reconsider. after that I and doing a charge back with credit card. and file a claim with alliexpress.
Wasted almost a year and a obscene amount of time for nothing.

Bdubblu

Wow... I'll have to search more. I hadn't seen the negative reviews.

Austinsec

Edit Quote Multi Quote Quick Reply 09-29-2018, 12:31 PM #18 vnova94Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2014Posts: 12Thanks: 0Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts2012 ML-350Did you ever get this resolved? I just purchased one from CarNaviPlayer and i'm dealing with the same issue. I purchased a booster... helped a little bit but connecting the power wire had absolutely no effect... so i had a second one sent. Same thing. Was thinking about getting an external antenna to tuck inside instead of using the windshield antenna.... Well, i tried an external antenna and it was worse than the booster on the stock antenna. I've run out of ideas.Last edited by vnova94; 09-30-2018 at 06:56 PM. Quote Multi Quote Quick Reply Thanks 10-08-2018, 11:02 PM #19 Ed954Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016Location: Miami, FLPosts: 286Thanks: 8Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts2007 SL65 AMG; 2007 ML63 AMGWe just gave up on ours in ml63. All these Android units are crap. We had Avin one and there isis reception whatsoever, support won't give us a code for the radio. Google auto is not compatible. Constant glitches... Next time only branded units for us... Edit Quote Multi Quote Quick Reply 09-29-2018, 12:31 PM #18 vnova94Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2014Posts: 12Thanks: 0Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts2012 ML-350Did you ever get this resolved? I just purchased one from CarNaviPlayer and i'm dealing with the same issue. I purchased a booster... helped a little bit but connecting the power wire had absolutely no effect... so i had a second one sent. Same thing. Was thinking about getting an external antenna to tuck inside instead of using the windshield antenna.... Well, i tried an external antenna and it was worse than the booster on the stock antenna. I've run out of ideas.Last edited by vnova94; 09-30-2018 at 06:56 PM. Quote Multi Quote Quick Reply Thanks 10-08-2018, 11:02 PM #19 Ed954Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016Location: Miami, FLPosts: 286Thanks: 8Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts2007 SL65 AMG; 2007 ML63 AMGWe just gave up on ours in ml63. All these Android units are crap. We had Avin one and there isis reception whatsoever, support won't give us a code for the radio. Google auto is not compatible. Constant glitches... Next time only branded units for us...

Bdubblu

I've read the threads you just quoted. That's a few people with problems. I'm going to dig a little deeper before I really make my mind. And while I'm a DIY guy, I may put this on a shop to install and figure out if I don't see what I want.
That reception issue is a tough one though. Only someone with some real knowledge about antennas/ power/ electronics might be able to figure that out.

Austinsec

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post7712146

skylolow

Honestly, it seems for every few people that get the android units functioning correctly many have all kinds of issues getting it to ever work if they even do. Then even when your done the sound quality is, ehhh and no one is surprised when it dies in a year.

Best bet is to go too a few independent stereo install shops and see what they quote you. You may drop 2Kish but I can tell you right now it's going to sound and work a hell of a lot better and save you a ton of time. If the shop is evening half *** good it should look very clean when completed.

Austinsec

I’m planning to do a chargeback because they are not repairing it they don’t want to do the repair anymore and it’s been less than a year they’ve been dragging it for so long and now they’re saying it’s too late I’m just gonna call my credit card company do a chargeback and that’s it and then I’m gonna ask for advice on which radio to buy Kenwood pioneer Alpine and so forth and install it myself it’s not that difficult once you do this

Austinsec

They made my decision for me , I need to get new radio . Please give me some advice on whats good. I like android type but name brand ,instant turn on not like these where has to boot. carplay , screen cast etc etc . youtube,waze wifi.
nothing too expensive . any advise appreciated if you can pass on to other post i would appreciate. I just wan this over.

AFRJacket

I had an SL55 AMG and was going to replace the Nav and Radio. Counting the wiring harness so the buttons on the steering wheel would work, etc., it was going to cost me about $1,200 from a reputable electronics store. Since then, I decided to trade for an SL63 AMG, so didn't get it done.

57staff

That's actually pretty cheap. Usual price is around $2k not including any speaker wiring or upgrades.

I'm looking at a Kenwood HU that is around $800, a MOST bridge that is anywhere from $200 to $500, custom trim work, a MOST BOSE amp $125 plus all the wiring work require, and a CANBUS bridge for the steering wheel controls, about $250.

Throw in a few hours labor - so about $200 there.

AFRJacket

Hmm, but I see you live in CA and I live in middle GA. That's probably a significant part of the price diff, even though the stereo I was looking at might have been lower quality. Bose speakers, etc., were fine, so didn't need any changes there (see you didn't include in price). Mainly wanted the upgraded Nav.

Ed954

Look in to Pioneer or Alpine. I don't think there are any good Android units out there yet.

AFRJacket

Pioneer is the one I was looking at, and the one the electronics store recommended.

Ed954

We always used pioneer and never had any issues. First time trying the Android unit and I hate it. The only nice thing about the Android unit is that it's designed to fit in to factory opening.