Head Unit
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 714
Likes: 57
From: Los Angeles
2006 E55 AMG
Head Unit
Im looking for a stock looking aftermarket head unit. Works properly and still able to maintain my steering wheel controls has dvd to watch movies, apple car play and back up camera capable. Does anyone know of a really good shop here in los angeles area that knows our cars and is reasonable on pricing? I’m not at all interested in head units although probably better that are not stock looking at all. I absolutely hate adding plastic adapters and space fillers and think it looks horrible. If there is no option then I’m ok with keeping it stock and understand. If you guys know of a good shop and a good head unit thats stock looking I’d appreciate it. I’ve seen the options out there and know about the ebay stuff just want advise from experienced people on this.
Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 178
Likes: 8
2006 BRABUS E55 K8 & SL500
Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 178
Likes: 8
2006 BRABUS E55 K8 & SL500
Im looking for a stock looking aftermarket head unit. Works properly and still able to maintain my steering wheel controls has dvd to watch movies, apple car play and back up camera capable. Does anyone know of a really good shop here in los angeles area that knows our cars and is reasonable on pricing? I’m not at all interested in head units although probably better that are not stock looking at all. I absolutely hate adding plastic adapters and space fillers and think it looks horrible. If there is no option then I’m ok with keeping it stock and understand. If you guys know of a good shop and a good head unit thats stock looking I’d appreciate it. I’ve seen the options out there and know about the ebay stuff just want advise from experienced people on this.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 37
Likes: 8
Non yet :(
I got an
unit with a
and took it to Pacific Stereo in Riverside. They where able to tap into the canbus and the steering wheel buttons work. I now run Android Auto with Headunit Reloaded from the Play Store. Also installed a backup camera.
I don't think there is an OEM looking option with Apple Crapplay.
unit with a
and took it to Pacific Stereo in Riverside. They where able to tap into the canbus and the steering wheel buttons work. I now run Android Auto with Headunit Reloaded from the Play Store. Also installed a backup camera.
I don't think there is an OEM looking option with Apple Crapplay.
Last edited by Dan0; Sep 3, 2018 at 06:17 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 4
From: Woodland Hills, CA
1999 e55 (past), 2002 CLK55 (past), 2004 E55 (present), 2008 Z06
From what I've read in researching this same issue, the following appears to be a unit that meets your needs. I haven't bought it yet. Just relaying information.
http://www.dynavin.com/products/n7_mbe.php
http://www.dynavin.com/products/n7_mbe.php
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: New Zealand
I assume you have looked through Avin?
https://avinusa.com/mercedes-benz-e-...w211-w219.html
https://avinusa.com/mercedes-benz-e-...w211-w219.html
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 714
Likes: 57
From: Los Angeles
2006 E55 AMG
I assume you have looked through Avin?
https://avinusa.com/mercedes-benz-e-...w211-w219.html
https://avinusa.com/mercedes-benz-e-...w211-w219.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 288
From: New Zealand
They seem fairly good quality but I am pretty sure they are low cost Chinese units but again that doesn't necessarily make them good or bad. Beware that some of their units require you to buy and install their fibre optic converter whereas a couple of their units have this built in.
I only bought their converter and found it to be way overpriced and just a flimsy unit you can buy off aliexpress or whatever for half the cost. Works ok but I was expecting better for the price.
I only bought their converter and found it to be way overpriced and just a flimsy unit you can buy off aliexpress or whatever for half the cost. Works ok but I was expecting better for the price.
Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 99
Likes: 11
From: VA
NA
Also the backup cam functionality on the Xtrons unit is pretty slick. Since it's tapped into the car's CAN, it has access to every other module on the network, including the one for steering position. So when you add a backup cam and enable the guide lines on the Xtrons unit, they actually bend and shift to indicate the direction you're heading just like with factory setups. I also have full volume control on my steering wheel, and I can also change the radio station from the wheel and have it display on the instrument cluster like stock.
My biggest complaint isn't actually with the unit itself, but just its position on the center console stack. It's too low, and it becomes a little unsafe at times trying to use and look at a touchscreen that sits so low while driving, I wish someone made a head unit that integrates with the center speaker on the top of the dash. That would be perfect.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
2004 E55 AMG
I've been using that setup for about a year, and I like it a lot. Has been as reliable and glitch-free as any other factory nav system made within the last 5 years that I've used. It's probably frozen on me twice, and every once in a while, the fiber optics decoder doesn't kick in when I start the car so I get no sound. Both are simple to remedy by shutting off the car and restarting.
Also the backup cam functionality on the Xtrons unit is pretty slick. Since it's tapped into the car's CAN, it has access to every other module on the network, including the one for steering position. So when you add a backup cam and enable the guide lines on the Xtrons unit, they actually bend and shift to indicate the direction you're heading just like with factory setups. I also have full volume control on my steering wheel, and I can also change the radio station from the wheel and have it display on the instrument cluster like stock.
My biggest complaint isn't actually with the unit itself, but just its position on the center console stack. It's too low, and it becomes a little unsafe at times trying to use and look at a touchscreen that sits so low while driving, I wish someone made a head unit that integrates with the center speaker on the top of the dash. That would be perfect.
Also the backup cam functionality on the Xtrons unit is pretty slick. Since it's tapped into the car's CAN, it has access to every other module on the network, including the one for steering position. So when you add a backup cam and enable the guide lines on the Xtrons unit, they actually bend and shift to indicate the direction you're heading just like with factory setups. I also have full volume control on my steering wheel, and I can also change the radio station from the wheel and have it display on the instrument cluster like stock.
My biggest complaint isn't actually with the unit itself, but just its position on the center console stack. It's too low, and it becomes a little unsafe at times trying to use and look at a touchscreen that sits so low while driving, I wish someone made a head unit that integrates with the center speaker on the top of the dash. That would be perfect.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 949
Likes: 47
From: San Diego
2004 E55
I have also been using an Xtrons unit as a replacement. My head unit has frozen a few times, but nothing that a reset wouldn't eliminate. I have the front cam, rear cam & dvr cams all setup as well. Quality is pretty good. The cameras just need an ignition power source & the video signal is connected via the rca cable. I don't have an exact link, but the backup camera is attached using your license plate bulb location.
My concern with the wireless transmitters is the boot up/connection time-it could be insignificant but I have no experience with them. The volume was not loud enough initially so I ran another set of speakers passively with their own amplifier, removed & replaced the stock sub with a different slim subwoofer + added its own amp as well.
My concern with the wireless transmitters is the boot up/connection time-it could be insignificant but I have no experience with them. The volume was not loud enough initially so I ran another set of speakers passively with their own amplifier, removed & replaced the stock sub with a different slim subwoofer + added its own amp as well.
