Short Antenna Review for SLK55
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 184
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From: Radnor, PA
2009 C63
Short Antenna Review for SLK55
After about a week's wait from ordering it, the short antenna (part #170-820-06-75) finally arrived at my house last night.
The ordering Mercedes dealer (Glauser from CO 303-410-7800) had to get the part in from Germany, then out to me.
The total cost, including shipping, was: $57.00
Now commentary on this part:
1) Very easy to install. Just unscrew the current long antenna and screw in the short one.
2) Assuming you have a dark colored car (mine is Obsidian Black) the antenna is black and blends in great.
3) No affect whatsover on the range of the remote unlocking/locking function on the key. I stood approximately 40 feet from the car, and the remote worked with the new short antenna.
4) AM/FM Radio reception was not affected adversely.
5) Sirius - No affect, this antenna is seperate.
The ordering Mercedes dealer (Glauser from CO 303-410-7800) had to get the part in from Germany, then out to me.
The total cost, including shipping, was: $57.00
Now commentary on this part:
1) Very easy to install. Just unscrew the current long antenna and screw in the short one.
2) Assuming you have a dark colored car (mine is Obsidian Black) the antenna is black and blends in great.
3) No affect whatsover on the range of the remote unlocking/locking function on the key. I stood approximately 40 feet from the car, and the remote worked with the new short antenna.
4) AM/FM Radio reception was not affected adversely.
5) Sirius - No affect, this antenna is seperate.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 997
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From: Frisco Colorado, USA
2024 GLB35 AMG, 2020 S560 Coupe
Your description is very similar to my good experience with the antenna I ordered and installed from Inovenda.com in Germany. I was able to lock and unlock my car through a window 6 stories above my parked car. FM reception including that from my on-board Roady XM Radio transmitter is excellent.
Details at http://www.inovenda.com/Scripts/prod...?idproduct=115
Details at http://www.inovenda.com/Scripts/prod...?idproduct=115
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: Radnor, PA
2009 C63
slk55er:
Glad to hear that you had a good result with the Inovenda version.
HOWEVER - I had ordered that part too, and it was completely useless. I cannot recommend it.
If anyone is looking to swap out their long antenna for a shorter version, the part from Mercedes Benz (part # above) is the way to go.
Glad to hear that you had a good result with the Inovenda version.
HOWEVER - I had ordered that part too, and it was completely useless. I cannot recommend it.
If anyone is looking to swap out their long antenna for a shorter version, the part from Mercedes Benz (part # above) is the way to go.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 997
Likes: 260
From: Frisco Colorado, USA
2024 GLB35 AMG, 2020 S560 Coupe
Make sure it's installed and tightened properly
Originally Posted by novabenz
slk55er:
I had ordered that part too, and it was completely useless.
I had ordered that part too, and it was completely useless.
However, I believe that such problems arise from improperly installing the small metal sleeve in the center of the antenna or from not cleaning and tightening the antenna threads enough to insure good contact between the body of the antenna and the mounting base.
If there is a better alternative, go for it.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: Radnor, PA
2009 C63
Originally Posted by slk55er
If there is a better alternative, go for it.
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 142
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From: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Am I the only one having signal problems with the authentic short antenna from MB?
It's not ADVERSELY affected, true, but I do see a difference in radio signal strength. For instance, I'll drive inside a tunnel or under an underpass, and there goes my radio signal. Before i had this, I could drive into a parking structure with clear reception, but after I got it, I don't get any reception in the SAME parking structure.
Did I just not screw it on correctly or tight enough?
It's not ADVERSELY affected, true, but I do see a difference in radio signal strength. For instance, I'll drive inside a tunnel or under an underpass, and there goes my radio signal. Before i had this, I could drive into a parking structure with clear reception, but after I got it, I don't get any reception in the SAME parking structure.
Did I just not screw it on correctly or tight enough?
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From: Colorado, USA
MBZ SLK
Originally Posted by JBRhee
Did I just not screw it on correctly or tight enough?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
From: sac, calif.
'06 slk55
Originally Posted by JBRhee
Am I the only one having signal problems with the authentic short antenna from MB?
It's not ADVERSELY affected, true, but I do see a difference in radio signal strength. For instance, I'll drive inside a tunnel or under an underpass, and there goes my radio signal. Before i had this, I could drive into a parking structure with clear reception, but after I got it, I don't get any reception in the SAME parking structure.
Did I just not screw it on correctly or tight enough?
It's not ADVERSELY affected, true, but I do see a difference in radio signal strength. For instance, I'll drive inside a tunnel or under an underpass, and there goes my radio signal. Before i had this, I could drive into a parking structure with clear reception, but after I got it, I don't get any reception in the SAME parking structure.
Did I just not screw it on correctly or tight enough?
Let me know if you figure out our possible defect. I'd love for it to work flawlessly.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 142
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From: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Originally Posted by dsb
Nope. You are not the only one. I figure I've lost approx 60% of the stations my radio would auto-tune. In addition, the lock/unlock feature has been reduced. Occassionaly, I have to be within 10 feet for it to work. It's not a huge deal, but it sure is annoying.
Let me know if you figure out our possible defect. I'd love for it to work flawlessly.
Let me know if you figure out our possible defect. I'd love for it to work flawlessly.
Hey DSB,
What are alum Door Pins?
And what's a lower Compartment Tray?
You have any pics? ^_^
ANd for your ipod kit, is it just a wire you connect to your ipod or can you actually DOCK is somewhere in your glove compartment?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,174
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From: Colorado, USA
MBZ SLK
Originally Posted by dinko
My pics + pic of Garage door opener unit I purchased (FINALLY) 
Dinko
Dinko
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,164
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From: sac, calif.
'06 slk55
JBRhee,
My wife is out with the car otherwise I'd post some pics. For now, here is the info...
-The aluminum door pins are the ones available on 'for my mercedes dot com'. They are a real nice touch and only cost $15.
-The lower compartment tray replaces the ash tray below the Command unit. It cost $75 and is all tray (no cig adaptor) 'cause I dont smoke and theres already a cig adaptor in the passenger footwell.
- I have the MB Ipod kit and the unit is mounted in the lower center storage between the seats.
*I will post pics when my wife gets back later this evening.
Dinko,
Can you give me the part number, cost and info regarding the garage door opener? Can you post a pic of it after installation? Lastly, was it an easy install?
Thanks,
Dan
My wife is out with the car otherwise I'd post some pics. For now, here is the info...
-The aluminum door pins are the ones available on 'for my mercedes dot com'. They are a real nice touch and only cost $15.
-The lower compartment tray replaces the ash tray below the Command unit. It cost $75 and is all tray (no cig adaptor) 'cause I dont smoke and theres already a cig adaptor in the passenger footwell.
- I have the MB Ipod kit and the unit is mounted in the lower center storage between the seats.
*I will post pics when my wife gets back later this evening.
Dinko,
Can you give me the part number, cost and info regarding the garage door opener? Can you post a pic of it after installation? Lastly, was it an easy install?
Thanks,
Dan
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
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From: Orlando
CLS55
Originally Posted by dsb
JBRhee,
My wife is out with the car otherwise I'd post some pics. For now, here is the info...
-The aluminum door pins are the ones available on 'for my mercedes dot com'. They are a real nice touch and only cost $15.
-The lower compartment tray replaces the ash tray below the Command unit. It cost $75 and is all tray (no cig adaptor) 'cause I dont smoke and theres already a cig adaptor in the passenger footwell.
- I have the MB Ipod kit and the unit is mounted in the lower center storage between the seats.
*I will post pics when my wife gets back later this evening.
Dinko,
Can you give me the part number, cost and info regarding the garage door opener? Can you post a pic of it after installation? Lastly, was it an easy install?
Thanks,
Dan
My wife is out with the car otherwise I'd post some pics. For now, here is the info...
-The aluminum door pins are the ones available on 'for my mercedes dot com'. They are a real nice touch and only cost $15.
-The lower compartment tray replaces the ash tray below the Command unit. It cost $75 and is all tray (no cig adaptor) 'cause I dont smoke and theres already a cig adaptor in the passenger footwell.
- I have the MB Ipod kit and the unit is mounted in the lower center storage between the seats.
*I will post pics when my wife gets back later this evening.
Dinko,
Can you give me the part number, cost and info regarding the garage door opener? Can you post a pic of it after installation? Lastly, was it an easy install?
Thanks,
Dan
Call Tom at Glauser MB, and PLEASE tell him Dinko sent you. #303-410-7800
Only thing I did was put the unit where it belongs, I'm not the one who will be doing the actual installation. All the unit needs is a power source, so all "should" work just fine. Will keep you updated.
Regarding Antenna, I also noticed poor reception on some stations, but the primary stations are just fine. If I had to do it all over again, I would. The new antenna looks awesome!
Dinko
Last edited by dinko; Nov 19, 2005 at 02:41 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
CLS55
Originally Posted by zaint10
Dinko, not to mislead the thread but I noticed that your rear taillamp is not longer smoked huh?
Dinko
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
I bought the antenna for my blue slk55. Looks great.
HOWEVER, remote reception is quite a bit shorter. I don't listen to much regular radio (just sirius), so I wouldn't know if the antenna impacted radio reception. However, I need to get quite a bit closer to the car to arm the alarm.
HOWEVER, remote reception is quite a bit shorter. I don't listen to much regular radio (just sirius), so I wouldn't know if the antenna impacted radio reception. However, I need to get quite a bit closer to the car to arm the alarm.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Cheshire, UK
SLK55 AMG
I've made this comment before but why do you think that Mercedes-Benz changed to the longer antenna? MB would not replace a shorter, better looking short antenna for a longer, uglier antenna for no good reason. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
CLS55
Originally Posted by Marky-Mark
I've made this comment before but why do you think that Mercedes-Benz changed to the longer antenna? MB would not replace a shorter, better looking short antenna for a longer, uglier antenna for no good reason. Dinko
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,164
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From: sac, calif.
'06 slk55
JBRhee, here are those pics.
Originally Posted by dsb
JBRhee,
My wife is out with the car otherwise I'd post some pics. For now, here is the info...
-The aluminum door pins are the ones available on 'for my mercedes dot com'. They are a real nice touch and only cost $15.
-The lower compartment tray replaces the ash tray below the Command unit. It cost $75 and is all tray (no cig adaptor) 'cause I dont smoke and theres already a cig adaptor in the passenger footwell.
- I have the MB Ipod kit and the unit is mounted in the lower center storage between the seats.
*I will post pics when my wife gets back later this evening.
My wife is out with the car otherwise I'd post some pics. For now, here is the info...
-The aluminum door pins are the ones available on 'for my mercedes dot com'. They are a real nice touch and only cost $15.
-The lower compartment tray replaces the ash tray below the Command unit. It cost $75 and is all tray (no cig adaptor) 'cause I dont smoke and theres already a cig adaptor in the passenger footwell.
- I have the MB Ipod kit and the unit is mounted in the lower center storage between the seats.
*I will post pics when my wife gets back later this evening.
