MBenzNL

After having retrofitted a DVD comand into an 08/03 eurospec E220CDI (which was no fun at all), I have retrofitted a factory eurospec DVD comand with DVD navigation drive and original mercedes TV tuner in my friend' s US spec 2003 E55 AMG this week.

The comand with navigation is fully functional as it is suposed to be from factory. The navigation menu in the instrument cluster has been activated to get the navigation help displayed in there. As we ran out of time - we didn't get to install the TV antenna yet - but besides that we got most of the possible comand related features covered.
With the help of (my own) stardiagnose we changed the regioncode (DVD purpose) of the headunit, we enabled view while in motion, we activated the RDS feature in the audio gateway, updated the comand software to get CD text displayed and got stuck with the following results that can be seen on the following linked pictures.

1) before; the car with the headunit as it was delivered from factory.
2) The trunkmounted DVD navigation drive and TV tuner.
3) after; The DVD comand with the map displayed and the navigation screen in the instrument cluster.
4) close up of the comand navigation screen in split-mode
5) close up of the navigation screen in the instrument cluster
6) a scene of james bond on the comand screen...the sound with the HK suround feature is amazing...

...while we were at it we also swapped the standard airbag for a leather stitched airbag: link
...and changed the black grill for an original mercedes silver colored grill: link
...the power folding mirrors with auto folding feature when locked were already installed during my last US trip: link

Next up; a set of active cornering lights and whatever else can be found...

greetingz,

stephens

Do you know how to disble the motion disable for TV/DVD viewing? Do the earlier versions of Star Diagnostics that have this functionality work with the W211 Command?

f000zy

I love it
Can you install the head unit with sat radio ?
great Job
lf

AMG BRED

when are you coming to the U.S. again? I want a TV Tuner install done

MelsE55

I wonder if one could bribe a local tech to do the same for a DVD based US comand system.
This would be perfect for my son and me.

MDS

Steve - more brilliance from you - great work

MBenzNL

I did it with stardiagnose on this E55...
I am in the US right now...california...
US comands are slightly different - I will have to see myself what can be done first...and need a 2004 US W211 to do so...
thanks Mark

greetingz,

W210

Steve, if you have any plans to come to the Seattle/Vancouver area, please let me know I'm in the hotel business and will be more than happy to take care of your accommodation.

Personally I would love to turn off the daytime running lights in my Canadian car as well as installing the TV tuner!

deaguero

Steve: From your original post it appears that Nav can be retrofitted to the 2003 W211 E55 Correct?? If so what do I need (parts list) and can you or the dealer perform this??

e-mail me at your convenience!

krispykrme

Dear Steve,

I have a 2004 E55 and a 2004 E500 that can be used as test bed. I am free this weekend to travel down to S-CAL. Please give me a call. 510-585-5954

The E55 does have nav, the E500 has nothing right now.

TectiteE

let me know of a east coast visit, if you ever need a place to stay I think I can get you some free rooms down in AC

t-bone

Steve's got the guinea pigs lined up.

krispykrme

ahhhhhhhh!!!!!

I wish i was the guinea pig.

time to move to S-cal!!!!

t-bone

Oh I just meant that there are a lot of people who want to have it tried out on their car. I'm sure if you want to try it out he would do his best to accomodate you.

I'm not sure if I'll be the first 2004 COMAND he will try to enable. I just know I'll be one of them. And TRY is the key word. Not sure if he can do it yet.

krispykrme

i see. anyway to contact him right now?

anerbe

steve,

wonderful job!

just let us know more details on how we can get one installed as well....price, time, etc.

I'm sure I can drive a fair distance for your services. Great job and keep us updated!

AMG BRED

Hey Steve, when are you coming back to the east coast?

MBenzNL

being in california - you might want to mail me and work something out during this CA trip...
Please mail me at Steve@MBenzNL.com and we can sort something out...I am in the bay area this weekend (which is where you are located as well when I am not mistaking)...
Thanks for the offer...what does AC stand for...Atlantic City?
thanks for the offer...I have no Seattle plans sofar but didn't have those last time I came over either...so one never knows...
I don't know...there is a thread about that in the electronic section...maybe in June...

greetingz,

Pbglas

Steve, have you ever put linguatronic on a US car. Seems like a terrific option they do not bring here.

TectiteE

yep atlantic city. if your making an east coast trip down in june let me know and i'll set it up for you.

Ted Baldwin

...........just to make sure I am understanding correctly: On the NAV-TV website (under photo gallery) there is a picture of a 2003 S-Class with the TV function activated. My question is, beside the retrofit, how is what steve did different from what NAV-Tv did? The reason I ask is that, since steve has his hands full are there other reliable places to get the same job done?

Ted

Ted Baldwin

LINK TO THE NAV-TV PIC

Ted

t-bone

Steve installed a EURO spec head unit into a US W211 E55. Notice in the photos that the SAT button is replaced with a VIDEO button. Euro spec head units don't have a satellite button, and instead have a video button. That is why he installed the TV tuner also.

I am not sure if you can have both satellite radio and a TV tuner.

I think it will be very hard for you to find someone other than Steve who can retrofit a Euro spec head unit into a US model car.

I am waiting to see if Steve can activate DVD display on a US spec head unit.

Ted Baldwin

..........The Nav-TV pic is a US spec DVD NAV with TV activated. I am not challenging steve. Other than the few who bought 2003 E55, most people have US spec DVD nav that need their TV functon activated. My question for steve or anyone who knows is whether their are any significant differences or short commings of the NAv-tv work relative to the work done by steve? This is important for east coast folks who as it stands now, have no acess to steve's expertise. Nav-tv is located in Brooklyn, NY.

Ted

Ted Baldwin

..........The SAt button or Tv button is not really material to the question. Euro spec units have TV button while Us spec ones have SAt button, prior to the DVD NAV, the button was left blank in Us spec Comands. No one as yet knows if you can have both sat and DVD via the same button. But, sat is easy to instal through other means, so if Steve or any other reliable person can activate TV function in Us spec DVD nav's, the owners can easily instal sat radio via the various other means.

Ted