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2006 E55 AMG, 2018 Audi Q7, 2005 Porsche Boxster S, 1930 Model A Hot Rod, 744HP 1965 Shelby Cobra
Need to replace the radio - what's the best unit out there now?
I want to replace the audio head unit in my 2006 E55. I have the Harmon Kardon system in the car. I don't want some goofy looking adapter face looking installation. I remember back in the past some radios were made that looked exactly like what's in there now, with the buttons on the sides, etc. I'd like to be able to plug it right into the spot it's in now with some easy to use wiring adapters. I'm not an audio tech or an electrical engineer, so it would have to be pretty much plug and play. I'd like Bluetooth at the least, although Apple car play would be awesome if it's available. Any leads on this would be greatly appreciated.
I want to replace the audio head unit in my 2006 E55. I have the Harmon Kardon system in the car. I don't want some goofy looking adapter face looking installation. I remember back in the past some radios were made that looked exactly like what's in there now, with the buttons on the sides, etc. I'd like to be able to plug it right into the spot it's in now with some easy to use wiring adapters. I'm not an audio tech or an electrical engineer, so it would have to be pretty much plug and play. I'd like Bluetooth at the least, although Apple car play would be awesome if it's available. Any leads on this would be greatly appreciated.
You might want to read through this thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...head-unit.html
I have installed two different HU in my car. Both have Car Play/Android Auto and look very similar to the OEM HU. Happy to answer any questions you may have. I have spent a lot of time researching and sorting out wiring on mine.
2006 E55 AMG, 2018 Audi Q7, 2005 Porsche Boxster S, 1930 Model A Hot Rod, 744HP 1965 Shelby Cobra
Thanks so much, you're super helpful! - I'll try to sort through that thread multiple times to see if it's what I'm looking to do. I've been through it once already. It seems a lot of the thread is about trying to make more storage available by removing the CD changer. While that seems like a nice idea, my main goal is a quick easy radio install using the factory speakers and having it look similar OEM when done. If I can make easily more storage available using the CD changer area with the door operable using the factory door button so much the better. Does using the head unit adapters you used utilize the factory Harmon Kardon system amps or does it bypass them? Is it all basically plug and play? I'm not a tech guy so all this talk about CAN BUS goes right over my head. In layman's terms how easy is it to do this? I've installed countless radios in other cars but this one seems like it'll be technically more challenging. Also, where does one find basic instructions for taking the dash apart to get to all these components? I find that taking radios out is super easy once you know how to get the dash apart.
Added in EDIT - In your first post on the other thread, you said:
"As a side note, I purchased the Android 10 / PX6 from https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3279...404e4c4deukfO1 If anyone has purchased one of these and is struggling, feel free to contact me. I have hours of working on mine including replacing the amplifier chip and modifying the main processor connection. It's working well so far now, but it was a battle.I am pretty familiar with the inner workings at this point."
A few questions on that - That post was from 2021, is there a newer updated version of this radio available since then? Does the amplifier chip need to be replaced and the main processor changed to make it work, or were you just doing that for "improvements"? Why was it a battle, and can it be done easier now given what you've learned since then? Thanks!!!
Thanks so much, you're super helpful! - I'll try to sort through that thread multiple times to see if it's what I'm looking to do. I've been through it once already. It seems a lot of the thread is about trying to make more storage available by removing the CD changer. While that seems like a nice idea, my main goal is a quick easy radio install using the factory speakers and having it look similar OEM when done. If I can make easily more storage available using the CD changer area with the door operable using the factory door button so much the better. Does using the head unit adapters you used utilize the factory Harmon Kardon system amps or does it bypass them? Is it all basically plug and play? I'm not a tech guy so all this talk about CAN BUS goes right over my head. In layman's terms how easy is it to do this? I've installed countless radios in other cars but this one seems like it'll be technically more challenging. Also, where does one find basic instructions for taking the dash apart to get to all these components? I find that taking radios out is super easy once you know how to get the dash apart.
Added in EDIT - In your first post on the other thread, you said:
"As a side note, I purchased the Android 10 / PX6 from https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3279...404e4c4deukfO1 If anyone has purchased one of these and is struggling, feel free to contact me. I have hours of working on mine including replacing the amplifier chip and modifying the main processor connection. It's working well so far now, but it was a battle.I am pretty familiar with the inner workings at this point."
A few questions on that - That post was from 2021, is there a newer updated version of this radio available since then? Does the amplifier chip need to be replaced and the main processor changed to make it work, or were you just doing that for "improvements"? Why was it a battle, and can it be done easier now given what you've learned since then? Thanks!!!
It has been a pretty good unit. It says it is Android 12, but really only Android 10. It hasn't been an issue, but you should know going in they fake the OS version to say 12.
I have not had to make any changes or repairs to this one.
Last edited by MJBelcher500; Oct 17, 2023 at 05:13 PM.
I ordered this and will have it in over the next month.
Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! $450.00 50％ Off | Penhui for Benz E class W211 (2002-2008)(E200 / E220 /E240 /E270/E280) Car Radio Multimedia Video Player Navigation GPS Android https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMcB2wW
use similar on my G55 and wrapped the sides with glass black vinyl
It has been a pretty good unit. It says it is Android 12, but really only Android 10. It hasn't been an issue, but you should know going in they fake the OS version to say 12.
I have not had to make any changes or repairs to this one.
OK great, thanks for all that. Please forgive my lack of knowledge and experience on all this. I'm pedaling as fast as I can on all this.
-I presume the adapter box adapts the new radio to the old amps and system? It all works well and seamlessly?
-Are there any directions on line as to how to take apart the dash and get the radio out without damaging anything?
-I clicked on the radio link you just gave (many thanks for that) but apparently those models are no longer available. Do you have any idea where there might be a good equivalent or better model that's currently available?
OK great, thanks for all that. Please forgive my lack of knowledge and experience on all this. I'm pedaling as fast as I can on all this.
-I presume the adapter box adapts the new radio to the old amps and system? It all works well and seamlessly?
-Are there any directions on line as to how to take apart the dash and get the radio out without damaging anything?
-I clicked on the radio link you just gave (many thanks for that) but apparently those models are no longer available. Do you have any idea where there might be a good equivalent or better model that's currently available?
There are a few options on the page that link points. I prefer the button layout (double row) that is most like the OEM HU. If you pick the one with the 7862 chip and *g and 128G it is basically the same as what I have. It shows to be around $286 when I choose it.
The fiber optic box makes the install the simplest and does not require running any wires to the trunk. There are some caveats. It splits the sound into two channels, left and right. You will not have any fade control. I do not find this to be a problem, but audiophiles will. You can run wires to a new amp in back if you want full control, but it is not an easy install.
Removing the stock HU is pretty easy and there are workshop docs available to show you how. Basically, you pop up the shifter surround, remove the ashtray, and loosen two screws that hold the HU in.
2006 E55 AMG, 2018 Audi Q7, 2005 Porsche Boxster S, 1930 Model A Hot Rod, 744HP 1965 Shelby Cobra
Originally Posted by MJBelcher500
There are a few options on the page that link points. I prefer the button layout (double row) that is most like the OEM HU. If you pick the one with the 7862 chip and *g and 128G it is basically the same as what I have. It shows to be around $286 when I choose it.
The fiber optic box makes the install the simplest and does not require running any wires to the trunk. There are some caveats. It splits the sound into two channels, left and right. You will not have any fade control. I do not find this to be a problem, but audiophiles will. You can run wires to a new amp in back if you want full control, but it is not an easy install.
Removing the stock HU is pretty easy and there are workshop docs available to show you how. Basically, you pop up the shifter surround, remove the ashtray, and loosen two screws that hold the HU in.
OK, that radio and the adapter and I'm good to go. Thanks!
Please keep in mind that these are not "plug & play". You will need to do some wiring to install it. It's not difficult, but if you are not familiar with wiring, soldering, and adding connectors this may not be for you. There are quite a few videos out there showing how it all goes. I would look for them and review before purchasing anything.
If you want the CD door to work after doing this you will need the adapter for that as well.
If you want plug and play, check out Enfig car stereo. They have full plug and play harnesses and a YouTube video showing full install on an E55. Just finished mine and it turned out great.
I went with the Sony xav6000. It's one of the more expensive radios on there, but I didn't want to have to mess with it again. The whole thing is a little expensive, but I didn't want to hack up wires and try to figure out how to wire everything myself. I also bought a backup camera from Amazon and wired that in when I did mine.
2006 E55 AMG, 2018 Audi Q7, 2005 Porsche Boxster S, 1930 Model A Hot Rod, 744HP 1965 Shelby Cobra
Originally Posted by MJBelcher500
Please keep in mind that these are not "plug & play". You will need to do some wiring to install it. It's not difficult, but if you are not familiar with wiring, soldering, and adding connectors this may not be for you. There are quite a few videos out there showing how it all goes. I would look for them and review before purchasing anything.
If you want the CD door to work after doing this you will need the adapter for that as well.
MJ, I'm sort of at an impasse. I like the look and cost plus the features of the Chinesium head unit, but I'm concerned about the reliability of it. How is it performing for you? Does it reliably connect to CarPlay without "helping" it along? Does it connect to CarPlay on it's own when you get into the car or do you have to sometimes manually connect to it because it sometimes won't do it on its own? Is it buggy and crashing sometimes? The Sony (or other big name brand) head unit will likely be a better quality unit, but with less features and not a factory look, and for considerably more money. If I get the Chinese unit, the considerable cost savings would pay for about half of the installation components that JMatt pointed out to me on the site thta he provided - https://shop.enfigcarstereo.com/ . I looked at that site and the installation components that they offer, as well as the exceptional E55 installation video that they posted, and that's the way I'd like to go. It looks truly plug and play. It's pricey but wiring isn't my strong point, and Emfig's setup minimizes wiring work as much as possible. Now I'm just tossed up between a Sony or similar name brand head unit (such as Alpine, Kenwood, etc) , or the Chinese head unit we discussed. Do you like yours so far, and does it connect and operate smoothly and reliably so far?
MJ, I'm sort of at an impasse. I like the look and cost plus the features of the Chinesium head unit, but I'm concerned about the reliability of it. How is it performing for you? Does it reliably connect to CarPlay without "helping" it along? Does it connect to CarPlay on it's own when you get into the car or do you have to sometimes manually connect to it because it sometimes won't do it on its own? Is it buggy and crashing sometimes? The Sony (or other big name brand) head unit will likely be a better quality unit, but with less features and not a factory look, and for considerably more money. If I get the Chinese unit, the considerable cost savings would pay for about half of the installation components that JMatt pointed out to me on the site thta he provided - https://shop.enfigcarstereo.com/ . I looked at that site and the installation components that they offer, as well as the exceptional E55 installation video that they posted, and that's the way I'd like to go. It looks truly plug and play. It's pricey but wiring isn't my strong point, and Emfig's setup minimizes wiring work as much as possible. Now I'm just tossed up between a Sony or similar name brand head unit (such as Alpine, Kenwood, etc) , or the Chinese head unit we discussed. Do you like yours so far, and does it connect and operate smoothly and reliably so far?
I have had the current one in my car for over a year. It has been great.
I use Android Auto, so I do not have any experience with Car Play. I always use a wired connection. It works just fine. I have tried wireless, but it can be laggy and I'd rather have the phone charging while I am driving long distances anyway.
I have a background in electronics, so wiring it all in was not much of a struggle. I really preferred to keep the HU "stock looking" over a buttonless setup. It is just personal preference.
Nothing Android based is completely bug free. That said, I really cannot think of anything that I struggle with on this HU. Your mileage may vary.
If you are hesitant at all with taking the dash apart or doing the wiring you may want to find a trustworthy shop to do the install.
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