Head Unit Replacement
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 5
From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
The subs themselves are low profile Exile subs which for the money are excellent.
PS...Overpower your subs to get the most out of them...You can always dial gains on the subs...


MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 5
From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
just like you - i did not know that i could reuse the stock amp and speakers until after i got everything done and went to get a dash kit from this place that imports them from netherlands. my dash kit was 135$, it's much nicer than scocshe (which i have as well) but i am going to bondo it and wrap it in black microsuede. at the time i was getting my dash kit the owner told me that he stocks pieces that could have made my stock speakers work and also the steering controls.
just a side not for the money you will spend buying those pieces to make stock stuff work - you might as well replace the speakers. my speakers were 600$ for 2 sets and they kill the stock speakers in quality and loudness.....and i did not even amp them yet.
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=2579
my setup is :
Alpine W505 with P1 navi
Alpine Full Speed KCE-422I iPod Connection Cable
PAC TR-7 Alpine Video Bypass (Needed for video in motion)
Memphis MCSQ6.5 - Memphis MClass 6.5" Component Speakers Front Doors
Memphis MCSQ6.5 - Memphis MClass 6.5" Component Speakers Rear Doors
JL 500/1 Amplifier hidden under the trunk floor
JL 10W7 Sub in ported box
just a side not for the money you will spend buying those pieces to make stock stuff work - you might as well replace the speakers. my speakers were 600$ for 2 sets and they kill the stock speakers in quality and loudness.....and i did not even amp them yet.
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=2579
my setup is :
Alpine W505 with P1 navi
Alpine Full Speed KCE-422I iPod Connection Cable
PAC TR-7 Alpine Video Bypass (Needed for video in motion)
Memphis MCSQ6.5 - Memphis MClass 6.5" Component Speakers Front Doors
Memphis MCSQ6.5 - Memphis MClass 6.5" Component Speakers Rear Doors
JL 500/1 Amplifier hidden under the trunk floor
JL 10W7 Sub in ported box
AMGfan...
Your set up is sick by the way.
My question is, do you still have your stock rear deck panel in place, if so, does it rattle with the new subs firing up at it. Also, do you have any idea how the rear headrests were removed?
Your set up is sick by the way.
My question is, do you still have your stock rear deck panel in place, if so, does it rattle with the new subs firing up at it. Also, do you have any idea how the rear headrests were removed?
This is the first time that having a stereo problem turned out good! I took my e63 to stereo shop with one of the amps shorting out. While there I asked the installer to take out the factory sub. For the record I asked him how and he said you have to take off rear deck liner by removing pillars when you fold down the rear seats. I asked if it was easy and he said it was difficult. The difference is HUGE.
First the reason nothing gets through with it in place is the top of the sub as well as two tweeters are solid plastic. The whole thing has only a few square inches of holes. I have a JL 12w6 with a sealed enclosure driven by a 750/1 HD amp and the difference was night and day. When you remove the factory sub way more air and sound get through. You can truly feel the bass. My speaker fires towards the trunk handle so when really loud it reverberates a little. I talked to them about having it fire up and they were worried about rattling the deck. Also talked about changing to two 8 inch subs as i like really hard tight bass more than super loud and low bass. I wish i could help more on how to do it but hopefully now this will motivate you to figure out or pay someone to do it.
First the reason nothing gets through with it in place is the top of the sub as well as two tweeters are solid plastic. The whole thing has only a few square inches of holes. I have a JL 12w6 with a sealed enclosure driven by a 750/1 HD amp and the difference was night and day. When you remove the factory sub way more air and sound get through. You can truly feel the bass. My speaker fires towards the trunk handle so when really loud it reverberates a little. I talked to them about having it fire up and they were worried about rattling the deck. Also talked about changing to two 8 inch subs as i like really hard tight bass more than super loud and low bass. I wish i could help more on how to do it but hopefully now this will motivate you to figure out or pay someone to do it.
prodigymb,
First, let me say that you guys are great when it comes to the sharing of info on this forum. I recently was blessed to aquire a very low mileage '06 E55 in pristine condition (my dream car). I traded my '08 C350 for it and will never look back. I have learned a great deal here in the 3 weeks that I've owned "The Beast" but am pretty much dumbfounded when it comes to the particulars of replacing the stereo's head unit. My E55 has the Command Navi and Logic7 but doesn't have bluetooth (needless to say, I was shocked by this but oh well). The Alpine IVA W505/P1 is the exact unit I was looking to upgrade to as well as Realm Audio speakers, multi-channel amp and a 10" Realm Audio "flat" sub (sound quality is paramount for me). I've read everything from "you can't replace the head unit if you have the Command/Navi", to "sure you can, it's a piece of cake until you try to remove the sub".
What I would like to know is, can I replace my Command/Navi head unit with the Alpine unit? Yes or No? If yes, what do I need for the install?
I realize that you guys must be sick and tired of answering the same questions over and over again, so if you could link me to a thread that covers the particulars and procedures, I would be eternally grateful.
Thank you very much in advance.
P.S. Your ride is SICK!
First, let me say that you guys are great when it comes to the sharing of info on this forum. I recently was blessed to aquire a very low mileage '06 E55 in pristine condition (my dream car). I traded my '08 C350 for it and will never look back. I have learned a great deal here in the 3 weeks that I've owned "The Beast" but am pretty much dumbfounded when it comes to the particulars of replacing the stereo's head unit. My E55 has the Command Navi and Logic7 but doesn't have bluetooth (needless to say, I was shocked by this but oh well). The Alpine IVA W505/P1 is the exact unit I was looking to upgrade to as well as Realm Audio speakers, multi-channel amp and a 10" Realm Audio "flat" sub (sound quality is paramount for me). I've read everything from "you can't replace the head unit if you have the Command/Navi", to "sure you can, it's a piece of cake until you try to remove the sub".
What I would like to know is, can I replace my Command/Navi head unit with the Alpine unit? Yes or No? If yes, what do I need for the install?
I realize that you guys must be sick and tired of answering the same questions over and over again, so if you could link me to a thread that covers the particulars and procedures, I would be eternally grateful.
Thank you very much in advance.
P.S. Your ride is SICK!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 3
From: Philly
997TT, C192 GT63, W464 G550, MS Plaid
prodigymb,
First, let me say that you guys are great when it comes to the sharing of info on this forum. I recently was blessed to aquire a very low mileage '06 E55 in pristine condition (my dream car). I traded my '08 C350 for it and will never look back. I have learned a great deal here in the 3 weeks that I've owned "The Beast" but am pretty much dumbfounded when it comes to the particulars of replacing the stereo's head unit. My E55 has the Command Navi and Logic7 but doesn't have bluetooth (needless to say, I was shocked by this but oh well). The Alpine IVA W505/P1 is the exact unit I was looking to upgrade to as well as Realm Audio speakers, multi-channel amp and a 10" Realm Audio "flat" sub (sound quality is paramount for me). I've read everything from "you can't replace the head unit if you have the Command/Navi", to "sure you can, it's a piece of cake until you try to remove the sub".
What I would like to know is, can I replace my Command/Navi head unit with the Alpine unit? Yes or No? If yes, what do I need for the install?
I realize that you guys must be sick and tired of answering the same questions over and over again, so if you could link me to a thread that covers the particulars and procedures, I would be eternally grateful.
Thank you very much in advance.
P.S. Your ride is SICK!
First, let me say that you guys are great when it comes to the sharing of info on this forum. I recently was blessed to aquire a very low mileage '06 E55 in pristine condition (my dream car). I traded my '08 C350 for it and will never look back. I have learned a great deal here in the 3 weeks that I've owned "The Beast" but am pretty much dumbfounded when it comes to the particulars of replacing the stereo's head unit. My E55 has the Command Navi and Logic7 but doesn't have bluetooth (needless to say, I was shocked by this but oh well). The Alpine IVA W505/P1 is the exact unit I was looking to upgrade to as well as Realm Audio speakers, multi-channel amp and a 10" Realm Audio "flat" sub (sound quality is paramount for me). I've read everything from "you can't replace the head unit if you have the Command/Navi", to "sure you can, it's a piece of cake until you try to remove the sub".
What I would like to know is, can I replace my Command/Navi head unit with the Alpine unit? Yes or No? If yes, what do I need for the install?
I realize that you guys must be sick and tired of answering the same questions over and over again, so if you could link me to a thread that covers the particulars and procedures, I would be eternally grateful.
Thank you very much in advance.
P.S. Your ride is SICK!


As far as your question, you can remove anything you want. My only recommendation is to do everything (head unit, speakers, amp, sub), that way you are using your own wiring and none of the funky factory *****. Alpine W505 is a great unit, I owned 4 Pioneer DVD/Navs before it and the video/sound quality of Alpine is much better.
When doing a whole "system" this is just like any other car. Trying to make stock crap work together with aftermarket stuff is expensive and a waste of time.
Jons ride is sick. Mine is just ok
As far as your question, you can remove anything you want. My only recommendation is to do everything (head unit, speakers, amp, sub), that way you are using your own wiring and none of the funky factory *****. Alpine W505 is a great unit, I owned 4 Pioneer DVD/Navs before it and the video/sound quality of Alpine is much better.
When doing a whole "system" this is just like any other car. Trying to make stock crap work together with aftermarket stuff is expensive and a waste of time.

As far as your question, you can remove anything you want. My only recommendation is to do everything (head unit, speakers, amp, sub), that way you are using your own wiring and none of the funky factory *****. Alpine W505 is a great unit, I owned 4 Pioneer DVD/Navs before it and the video/sound quality of Alpine is much better.
When doing a whole "system" this is just like any other car. Trying to make stock crap work together with aftermarket stuff is expensive and a waste of time.
I kinda figured as much but wanted a definitive answer from someone who'd actually performed the upgrade.
P.S. Your ride IS sick!




