My E55 does not have the OEM Navi.....
I really dislike the little mickey mouse display that it currently has.

I want to know what I would need for the OEM Navi conversion, without actually hooking up the Navi. I just want the screen and the ability to play radio/CD's/Etc.... I find even in cars with Navigation I simply use the iPhone when I need directions.


Basically I want to know if I just buy the Head unit... will it bolt right in and work just like my current head unit works?


Any help is appreciated, thanks.

 

I found a Command Unit 2.5 for sale online close to where I live.

Emailed the seller asking if it will be direct bolt on. His response below:

"Yes direct Bolt on to w211 up to 2007 non optic system"

Just want to confirm that this will in fact work. My system is non-optic??

 

I am pretty sure all W211 E55 are prewired for Nav with the fiber optic system.
Remove the rear driver side door sill / trim / carpeting. you will see orange fiber optic cables.

If the Comand unit you are going to buy has a fiber optic connection in the back it will work on your car.

 

NTG 2.5 will not work unless you get a,crap load of other parts and a wire harness from Command Online UK. You will need a new antenna, both the main amp and sub amp, HD/sat radio tuner, misc. brackets, connectors and gut your car to install it all. I'm sure I am forgetting a few things.

There are a couple of threads on here with 2.5 installs.

 

Since you do not have HK audio, installing NTG2.5 is super simple and requires only a single adapter harness. Although to do the coding you will need a special older version of developer Xentry (or a highly hacked recent version).

The improvements are tremendous, as you'd get Bluetooth calling, navigation, backup camera with moving guide lanes (guides curve to match steering wheel angle), music storage in the HDD enclosed in the head unit, SD card storage, and everything is integrated into the car (steering wheel controls, dash display shows navigation, etc).

 

My mistake. I was thinking you had HK

 

Look, if the NTG 2.5 is cheap, get it, even if you have to get the harness and rest of the stuff from the UK. It's worth it, it's ALOT nicer. The head units are EXPENSIVE though, NTG 2.5s were going for over $1000 on eBay last time I checked, way too much.

 

By HK you mean Harmon Kardon?

My speakers say Harmon Kardon on them.....

 

I'm not sure if HK amps were only available with navigation or not. If you do have HK amp, then you can still install NTG2.5 without buying the expensive newer amps, if you run speaker wires from the head unit to the harness in the trunk (and then the speakers are powered by just the head unit).

 

Update....
Found a Command unit close to me from a 2007 E63.

Part # 211 820 43 97

Can anyone confirm?

 

When I do a VIN search it says my 04 E55 has NTG 2.5 "044 NEW GENERATION TELEMATIK NTG 2.5". But mine is the DVD based NAV command that were available in all W211 so how is that?

 

Some models had a few NTG2.5 parts in them. What exactly is different, is a bit of a mystery. Although the head unit unit is definitely the standard one.

 

Alright gentlemen...
Comand unit is in !

Everything works like a charm EXCEPT my Bluetooth no longer works....
I have the OEM Bluetooth puck.

Anyone care to shed some light on this?

Pic comparing the two units (Much better looking with the Navi unit...)

 

Do you have DAS? you will probably need to code the new unit for the telephone.

 

I figured it was coding related.

Anyone have a specific code? MB Star tool can do the job?

 

Yes you need Star (DAS)

 

Anybody know the exact process to get this thing coded?
PDF instructions or something of the sort?