Upgrading 2003 CLK audio/phone

MH MB

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Hi,

Just bought my 2nd CLK cabrio (first one was brand new lovely thing I drove back from Breman factory at the end of the 90s) 2 kids mortgage and more than a "few" years on my own clock I waded in for a bit of nostalgic fun and bought a 2003 240

It has a parrot 3100 installed that works fine but that unit doesn't support any other audio only voice/calls

I am keen to see if I can short cut replacing the whole ICE (Audio 10) and reuse the Parrot connections to the Merc so that I can simply play audio through Blue tooth with minimal digging into the wiring looms etc.

I've done a bit of digging around on forum youtube etc and it does seem "possible" but am I on a fools' errand and should just swallow up the cost and replace the whole lot ?

Many thanks in advance

P.S its my first post so apologies if I have missed something.
 

JBell

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I would put a Kenwood (or the like) unit in, at least then you get everything you need, look on www.caraudiodirect.co.uk and they stock all the adapter plates etc
 

AnthonyUK

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The Erisin android unit in my 2002 S203 which cost <£300.
This gives you a current ICE system with nav (Google maps/Waze), phone integration including voice control, Spotify, BT streaming, DAB+*, reversing cam* etc.

*The last two are options for around £50 more.

44665444995_319fe2eac9_z.jpg
 
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MH MB

MH MB

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Many thanks guys, @AnthonyUK where did you get that are they easy to fit ? (reversing cam would go down very well with the wife)
 

AnthonyUK

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Alfie

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If you have a Parrot 3100 then simply change that for the Parrot 9200 which does support audio aswell as phone.

It should use the same SOT lead so would be fairly easy to install.
 
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MH MB

MH MB

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many thanks all, lots to follow up on.
 
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MH MB

MH MB

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The parrot was a bit Monty python (DOA) but was good to get the confidence opening up the panels and working out the wiring I am erring towards an android unit but i paid 2300 for the car spending 400 more for (fun) is tweaking my conscience
 

AnthonyUK

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but i paid 2300 for the car spending 400 more for (fun)

I look at is as what I saved on buying the car I can spend on goodies.
An android unit really does elevate the functionality over anything that was fitted as standard so well worth it imo.
 
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MH MB

MH MB

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Thanks mate.... That's a very good point ;) .. After a bit of looking around on ebay there are UK units around £210 plus the reversing cam and DAB

As a side note how does the cam engage (when you put it in reverse) or do you have to select an app etc to turn it on.

Many thanks

Mark
 

AnthonyUK

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Thanks mate.... That's a very good point ;) .. After a bit of looking around on ebay there are UK units around £210 plus the reversing cam and DAB

As a side note how does the cam engage (when you put it in reverse) or do you have to select an app etc to turn it on.

Many thanks

Mark


Look for an Android 8.0 unit, octacore CPU, 4gb ram 32gb rom which are around £250.
The 8.1 and 9.0 units are generally inferior.

The reverse cam is enabled by CANBUS when reverse is selected.
 
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MH MB

MH MB

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Thanks for the advice @AnthonyUK really helpful was defo going for a 4gb ram version but was loured by a later version on Android (assumed that you couldn't/wouldn't want to upgrade the OS/ROM) but I am guessing the older versions are just more established / mature ?

Saw a couple of models with just the touch screen a bit cheaper (Brosmartek) but I think one like the one in your pic is going to look a lot better so going for that

Thanks again for all your help mate :)

Will upload a shot once I get the thing installed
 
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AnthonyUK

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Thanks for the advice @AnthonyUK really helpful was defo going for a 4gb ram version but was loured by a later version on Android (assumed that you couldn't/wouldn't want to upgrade the OS/ROM) but I am guessing the older versions are just more established / mature ?

Saw a couple of models with just the touch screen a bit cheaper (Brosmartek) but I think one like the one in your pic is going to look a lot better so going for that

Thanks again for all your help mate :)

Will upload a shot once I get the thing installed

No probs at all. Looking forward to seeing it :D

I run a custom ROM from Hal2k which is really well established so I will wait until the community has ironed out the issues with later versions of Android but currently there is no reason to go above 8.0 in a head unit.
The custom ROM makes it easy to run Viper4Android for much improved audio quality and control.
 
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MH MB

MH MB

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27098a38-96a6-472c-a1ea-213a81a42107.jpg Well she is in, still have a bit of work to do on the DAB and reversing camera but the basics function. Struggling with the steering wheel controls though.

Some of it works.. Backup cam is enabled soon as I put it in reverse, and hitting the phone buttons launch the app but show "unsupported function" on the dash. Volume up down wont work for me either.. Any pointers to further reading at all?

Google searches have not been the most fruitful :confused:
 
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AnthonyUK

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The messages on the dash do not work as far as I know. For the steering wheel control it looks to be natively supported so the app is not needed and I think was causing issues for me so I deleted all settings in it. Functions that work for me are vol +/-, next/prev track and phone call/hangup.
The phone app is called mtcdialler and if you make this the default android app for voice calls you can make calls using 'OK Google' i.e. hands free.

You can also try different MB CANBUS profiles in the 'Factory Settings' menu.
Code to access is usually 3368 or 126.
Be careful in that menu though as you can create serious issues that you might not be able to recover from.
The CANBUS options are generally safe though. You might need to adjust volumes in here too so that the various functions have similar volumes. I had to reduce radio and increase nav audio I recall. I think the MB star is also set in here as a boot logo.
 
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MH MB

MH MB

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Thanks for that... Well I managed to find the menu... And set the logo, but the Benz Cambus profiles all seem to have no effect (phone pickup launches app with nothing from the other buttons :/ )
 
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MH MB

MH MB

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Well quick update, managed to load the launcher same as yours (makes a massive difference to the usability)

Still no joy with the steering wheel controls, have emailed Erisin support and see if they can help. The app shows nothing.

Don't want to root/rom it yet incase that invalidates anything with Erisin, but that's my next port of call.

Any tips for good routes for the rear view camera wires (I am probably going to mod the one I got with the unit as a DVR and buy a numberplate mounting one)

Fun little summer project this.

Will post any support vids as I get em from erisin
 

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Blobcat

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I’d look at a number plate light camera, or if you could get one from an W213 - the camera hides up by the number plate light and only opens when you select reverse. Keeps it clean and is cool :D

I’d invest in some trim tools and probably go up the A pillar and behind the trim over the door and rear window before making my way into the boot.
 
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MH MB

MH MB

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Thanks for the tips @Blobcat yup first thing I did was to get a new set of pry tools (I had memories from the 90s trashing my beloved Escort Ghia trying to pimp up the audio with a rusty flat head)

I have been looking also at wireless ones that just need power rather than running the video through the car https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170-Wire...267369?hash=item3d7b65b229:g:JxkAAOSwT-Fci0QE

Am a little hesitant though ... wireless usually is not painless :)
 

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Thanks for the tips @Blobcat yup first thing I did was to get a new set of pry tools (I had memories from the 90s trashing my beloved Escort Ghia trying to pimp up the audio with a rusty flat head)

I have been looking also at wireless ones that just need power rather than running the video through the car https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170-Wire...267369?hash=item3d7b65b229:g:JxkAAOSwT-Fci0QE

Am a little hesitant though ... wireless usually is not painless :)
I prefer electric string... there will be a way through to the boot then along the boot hinge to the rear lights / number plate.

I’ve had more than my fare share of cars apart to run cables. My theory is if someone put it together then I can take it apart (and put it back together again) :p:D
 
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