mainroman

I have 210 E55 (02)
It has Comand but has no CD Changer.
I saw some changers on ebay, and I have some wires in the trunk on the left hand side.
Are those for CD changer? Is it easily installed?
How do you control it? Via Comand? Will automaticly recognize the changer.

Where would you recommend buying a changer and what is the good price.

(On ebay they are around 300$.-320$).

Thank you.

2000BEAST

VERY easy installation. It is pre-wired behind the carpet panel on the drivers side cubby in the trunk. I bought mine on EBay too - right around $ 300 delivered. Dealer was like $ 600 (!) same part. Just make sure you buy from a reputable seller.

COMAND controls the player when you hit the "CD" button on the COMAND head unit. Piece of cake.

tjcMBE55AMG

Just be aware that the W210 has a history of 'spotty' CD changer operation. Like when you turn on the radio, push CD and it says 'No CD Changer'

TJC

mainroman

Is it fixable or you have to just deal with the glitch?
What about CD changer reliability?
I got Pathfinder now, and I replaced 2 changers within less than 1 year.

Thanks

tjcMBE55AMG

I've had 3 radio changes and 2 CD changers in 3 years (25,000 miles)

It still sometimes says "No CD changer"


TJC

mainroman

That sucks. When you buy a car worth 30-40k you don't have to change these things that often.
By Radio you mean radio or the whole Comand? or just a receiver?

zoink

Yes, the CD changer was spotty also for me... till I accidentally got the magic hand to fix it

Not sure what I did.... but the magazine w/ full CDs was once jammed in the changer.... so I took the changer out.... and I ended up took apart ALL (yes, ALL - the small screws, the springs, the circuit board, etc. ) parts just to take out the stuck CD.... spent couple hours to figure out how to put all the parts together.... (almost gave up )... once done, not only does it never jam again, the "NO CD MAGAZINE" or "MAGAZINE EMPTY" or "NO CD X" messages never shows up again.... well, at least until now and it's been 4 months.

Moral of the story:
You may need to take things apart and put them together again...

Disclaimer:
I claim no responsibility if you follow my direction

Fast55

Bummer.
I have COMAND with voice control and the changer and have never had a problem. I just leave the nav CD in the head unit and music in the trunk. Good luck.

paulunm

What about installing a aftermarket head unit? I would love to thow in a Pioneer NAV system, but with the fiber optics, what would be needed? Rewire audio system with new speakers???

Fast55

Yes, essentially start from scratch. Thought about that myself, but I want to keep full integration of phone/COMAND with voice activation, so I have no alternative.

paulunm

Will the original speakers work?

Fast55

No, they're junk anyway. My plan is a complete replacement of the speakers with 3 separate amps in the trunk, along with a 12" W7 sealed in a custom box in the right storage area. I've checked out a S55 with essentially the same setup and believe it or not, the factory head unit sounds pretty good (it better $6,500.00 later). The guy spent way too much getting the custom enclosure painted with MB paint to match the car, I'm going to use factory carpet. The amps will be flushed into a panel covering the back wall over the gas tank to keep the trunk open. The idea being to change the look/function of the car as little as possible. Totally original looking on the inside, but with about 1200 WRMS!

tjcMBE55AMG

zoink - willing to do it again?
(I'll send you mine!)

No Comand on my W210.


TJC

zoink

LOL

You can do it yourself.... just make sure put notes or take pictures for every step.... so if you forget, just look at the pictures :p

When you open it, you'll know why it jams..... it's MADE IN CHINA.... no offense to chinese people but I highly doubt the quality was there in 2000-2001.