Adding Sat Nav

[Pepperami]

I want to add a sat nav system to my 53 plate C220 SE. I want to keep the new installation neat by either swapping the existing CD/radio or adding to the spare shelf below the existing radio. Can anyone answer the following questions?

a) Has anyone installated a Becker APS 30?
b) Has anyone installated a MB command?
c) I am located in Dorset, work in Hampshire is there any installers on the south coast, or is it something competent person can do?

Thank you

 

[marnix]

For your car it is not too difficult for somebody with some basic DIY skills.
There was a post on this forum from somebody who was explaining the procedure for easy removal of the radio.
For the APS30, make sure you get a model BE4717 or BE4718.
Any other model numbers are not suitable for the W203. It's the shape and the locating pin's that are crucial. Also the navigation system dialogs with the car's ECU. Don't forget that you will also need a GPS aerial. Most can be mounted on a metal frame (the base is magnetic) and hidden somewhere under the dash.
There is a guy in Bournemouth who retro-fits Merc systems. If I can find hid details, I'll let you know.

 

[Pepperami]

Thank you. If you can find the info on the Bournemouth installer that would be superb.

 

[marnix]

These people are based in Surrey
They can advise you on prices and availability
http://www.comand.co.uk/

 

[02 A160 AG]

These people are based in Surrey
They can advise you on prices and availability
http://www.comand.co.uk/

I can highly recommend them, although they only do COMAND not the APS systems. Both systems are relatively simple to install in a W203.

Anyone reasonably competent removing trim panels from a car could do this. On a W203 you have to remove quite a bit of trim to get the Radio / Comand system out. It actually involves removing:

i. the gear lever surround
ii. ashtray
iii. central air vents
iv. trim panel around stereo / ventilation controls

There are lots of instructions for doing this on the internet, however if you have any problems finidng this I have an electronic copy of them that I could send you. I have carried out the steps above to update the Climate Control module to the digital one on a W203.

On a W203 you will need to have either system programmed by a dealer or specialist (using Star) to enable the display in the cluster and possibly code the system for the car.

If you want Audio 30 APS they're fantastic systems and it's a relatively simple install. I just did this for my Dad in his ML320.

You can weigh up the pro's and con's of both systems - COMAND certainly looks impressive but you can't deny the cost difference either. APS also covers all of Europe on two CD's. The CD based COMAND (on pre 2005 W203's) needs a different CD for each country (although you can get Major roads of Western Europe).

Hope this helps...

 

[Micman]

Alternative

Just a suggestion, but if you want to add sat navigation there is an alternative to putting in a COMMAND head unit.

A system called SmartNav, Mercedes offer this as an option on their new cars.

check out the website. http://www.smartnav.co.uk

I have it in mine and it works great. Just a simple discreet button you push that connects you to a call centre, you tell them where you want to go and they send the route to your car. No messing around with programming a route in and the best thing is you don't get your maps on CD going out of date, they always have the most up to date information so know if there are any accidents or road closures on your route and detour you as necessary.

The only thing is your car needs to be pre-wired for a mobile phone.

There are a number of payment options to run it, I do mine on a pay as you go basis and pay per route. Works great as I don't need to use satellite navigation that often I usually know where i'm going each day!!

A great add-on is that you can have it warn you with a series of bleeps everytime you approach an active speed camera!!

 

[02 A160 AG]

There are a number of payment options to run it, I do mine on a pay as you go basis and pay per route. Works great as I don't need to use satellite navigation that often I usually know where i'm going each day!!

A great add-on is that you can have it warn you with a series of bleeps everytime you approach an active speed camera!!

Out of interest how much does it cost for an initial installation (roughly) and what do they charge on pay as you go per route? The website doesn't list any PAYG tariff, just says available on request.

The annual charges can be quite expensive, especially if you want the traffic camera alert and European Maps.

Do you know if you can subscribe to the European Maps for just the time you want (i.e. one month?). That would be very useful...

*** EDIT *** Just read the bottom of the tariff sheet, you can add European navigation for just one month if you want to, HOWEVER you can only do this with a Subscription not a PAYG tariff (PAYG users can't seem to get European routes?)

 

[Micman]

Hi

Yes you can buy a route for Europe for a month at a time. says it's available for: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Switzerland.

You have to subscribe I think to European coverage, not do pay as you go. There are alot of Terms and conditions to it!! It depends what you want really as you say it can really add up especially if you add the optional extras such as the 'Speed Safe' camera detector.

I believe the approx cost to get it installed is about £400 - 450 inclusive. I think Mercedes list it as a £500 option fitted when new. Mine was already it it when I bought the car, so didn't have to shell out for the install.

The cost per route on pay as you go is 89p a route. The tarifs for Pay as you go are under the 'Smartnav retailers' section of the website next to Subscriptions and services.

I've only ever needed to use it in the UK.

 

[02 A160 AG]

Thanks for that, very interesting to know.

There are Pro's & Con's to all of these systems really.

I prefer COMAND because of the look and the integration. I have it in my W203 as does my Dad in his W220. With the telephone option it's fantastic. COMAND units (depending upon the model, the A163 units for the ML are hard to find!) go for between £450 to £1100 used. The upper figures are installed prices. There are quite a few competent aftermarket installers of these systems now.

Audio 30 APS is great as it looks OEM (doesn't look flashy enough to get stolen - hopefully!). You can usually pick up a used Audio 30 APS unit for under £350 with the CD's and a GPS aerial.

I also had a Becker TrafficPro in our old A-Class, very similar to the Audio 30 system.

SmartNav looks interesting. Although they make a visual display, it looks too aftermarket for me. The button looks smart though, well designed. I guess you were lucky that it was already installed. The biggest benefit is that the maps don't get out of date and you can pick & choose if you want European coverage.

One thing I would agree on though, the list price for SatNav as an option on new cars is crazy, £2.2k in many cases!!!

 

[Alfie]

I want to add a sat nav system to my 53 plate C220 SE. I want to keep the new installation neat by either swapping the existing CD/radio or adding to the spare shelf below the existing radio. Can anyone answer the following questions?

a) Has anyone installated a Becker APS 30?
b) Has anyone installated a MB command?
c) I am located in Dorset, work in Hampshire is there any installers on the south coast, or is it something competent person can do?

Thank you

Hi,

Please email us on sales@comand.co.uk we can quote for the supply and fitting of COMAND for you. We have fitting and full configuration facilities in Poole.

 

[bitonw]

On Saturday I installed my APS 30 my self. Removed the Audio 10 CD. It isn't difficult but you need to work carefully not to damage your dash etc. If you gone do it your self and need some info let me know.

 

[Blobcat]

That isn't a job finished photo is it

 

[bitonw]

I made it when I was testing / upgrading the unit. :lol:

Found that the light of the ashtray isn't working so I gonna repair that. Went to Maplin but they didn't have it so have to find another source.

 

[Pepperami]

Just placed order with comand.co.uk and having it fitted this week. Fitting is in Woking or Poole (Dorset). Good quick service and when it's finished will look factory fitted.

 

[Rappey69]

At the risk of resurecting a very old thread...(i have searched forums,honestly but this one seemed more relevant) the A203 command unit for a w203, euromercmercedesparts special offer (but out of stock) £499.
Now i read you can diy install but then-""On a W203 you will need to have either system programmed by a dealer or specialist (using Star)"" how is this done? Can it be done when unit is fitted? do you also have to purchase a map cd for around £112 or £205 so it will work? Just curious.

 

[television]

There are many 203 Comand units on Ebay quite cheap, you need to install, the wiring harness can be purchased and you need the sat antenna. Once all in the car, it can then be put onto STAR to activate it all, so that the car knows that it has Comand

http://www.mercupgrades.com/COMAND+Retrofit-article-1.html

 

[Rappey69]

great answer. thank you very much television.

 

[Alfie]

At the risk of resurecting a very old thread...(i have searched forums,honestly but this one seemed more relevant) the A203 command unit for a w203, euromercmercedesparts special offer (but out of stock) £499.
Now i read you can diy install but then-""On a W203 you will need to have either system programmed by a dealer or specialist (using Star)"" how is this done? Can it be done when unit is fitted? do you also have to purchase a map cd for around £112 or £205 so it will work? Just curious.

If this is for your 2002 W203 then you need a D2B based A203 comand unit. I recommend part number A203 870 52 42 as the most suitable.

Coding isnt mandatory but finishes the job off properly. You will need a loom adapter and a Teleatlas DX disk and thats about it!

 

[plm]

I can highly recommend them, although they only do COMAND not the APS systems. Both systems are relatively simple to install in a W203.

Anyone reasonably competent removing trim panels from a car could do this. On a W203 you have to remove quite a bit of trim to get the Radio / Comand system out. It actually involves removing:

i. the gear lever surround
ii. ashtray
iii. central air vents
iv. trim panel around stereo / ventilation controls

There are lots of instructions for doing this on the internet, however if you have any problems finidng this I have an electronic copy of them that I could send you. I have carried out the steps above to update the Climate Control module to the digital one on a W203.

On a W203 you will need to have either system programmed by a dealer or specialist (using Star) to enable the display in the cluster and possibly code the system for the car.

If you want Audio 30 APS they're fantastic systems and it's a relatively simple install. I just did this for my Dad in his ML320.

You can weigh up the pro's and con's of both systems - COMAND certainly looks impressive but you can't deny the cost difference either. APS also covers all of Europe on two CD's. The CD based COMAND (on pre 2005 W203's) needs a different CD for each country (although you can get Major roads of Western Europe).

Hope this helps...

please could you send me the instructions thanks

 

[television]

Can you put up the details of the car and the year please and we can see what we can do