After market radio for w203...advice please

pvd815

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Hi there everyone,

i was thinking of replace my current audio 10 unit in my w203...im slowly getting bored of it...sorry.
I saw this on ebay, an in car double din audio, satnav, dvd etc.
I was wondering if anyone has tried this and could help in answering the following questions if possible. (i have to change the faschia to a double din one which i can get from ebay too. so size in not the issue.)

1. Can this be installed to the current audio 10 wiring? Will it cause any electrical problems to the car?
2. can this be paired with the steering wheel command for audio unit? If not, will it say malfunction on the instrumentation?
3. Where can you have things like after market audio installed? (halfords i think only install if you buy it from them?)
4. General opinion if you think its tacky? or if you have any advice what other units are out there to change my audio 10?

Thanks ever so much for your replies in advance.!
oh here is the link of the radio unit im talking abt.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AMAZING-QUALI...A%2BUA%2BIEW%2BFICS%2BUFI&otn=22&po=LVI&ps=54
4.
 

television

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Though it looks a good unit,what is the back up like for mapping
 
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pvd815

pvd815

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what you mean by back up for mapping "television"? Also, Do you know where you could have these things installed or if it will work like plug and play with the current audio 10 wiring? there is a pic of the wiring included with the double din radio on the ebay site but have no clue if this is complatible?
 

television

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what you mean by back up for mapping "television"? Also, Do you know where you could have these things installed or if it will work like plug and play with the current audio 10 wiring? there is a pic of the wiring included with the double din radio on the ebay site but have no clue if this is complatible?

Most mapping needs updating as the years go by,,you could ask miffy a member here what he put in his CLK

There are plenty of adapters for any wiring issues
 

SQ_W211

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Miffy has top end Kenwood unit with everything, I have single din(standard size) in mine. As Malc mentioned, adaptors can be had for as little as £20 from company called autoleads. Doubledin can be quiet tricky though as these Chinese made ones have loads of cables at the back.

Look and performance wise they are equally good(may lack some sound quality but you are not after Bose kind of sound quality). I have seen that same unit on sale for £180 on ebay with everything in it so bargain price and works brilliantly.

Cant go wrong if you ask me.
 

SQ_W211

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what you mean by back up for mapping "television"? Also, Do you know where you could have these things installed or if it will work like plug and play with the current audio 10 wiring? there is a pic of the wiring included with the double din radio on the ebay site but have no clue if this is complatible?

Miffy(Mark) installed his own one himself but as i mentioned his unit is top of the market Kenwood which has ISO cables which work more or less like plug and play but this unit has loads of extras and lots of cables. where are you based? I can possibly recomend ICE retailer for fittment.
 
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pvd815

pvd815

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thanks amo_rahal,
im based in the southeast, sussex to be exact. is it a tedious job? is there lots or removing to be done? You mentioned that a friend of yours had a kenwood installed, does it still work with the steering wheel control?
thanks
 

J400uk

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I would never put a head unit like that one on eBay in a car of mine. It looks dreadful, just a cheap and nasty chinese import. I bet the software is horrible to use and that the quality of build etc is poor. Who the hell is the SION company that manufacturers it? Why has he shown screenshots of at least 3 different satellite navigation software applications? Why is the listing written in CAPITALS? Urgh..

I'd buy something like this if you want an upgrade from the Audio 10 - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-Benz...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item4a9ae6f311
 
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HelpThisDude

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Hello buddy.

Just a pointer on steering controls, you can buy a pac audio device from InCarTec 01392 829 435. They supply two little units. One connects to the Can bus in your 203 (two wires- CAN High and CAN low), and the other is matched to a 'remote ready' aftermarket radio. Full instructions included.
If you have a facelift 203 (2005 and On) you will have no problems. The older ones (like my 2001) are hit and miss. I sadly sent mine back, but had a hassle free refund.
They also stock the adapter harness and double din cage. They were very helpfull, try give them a call.

Cheap units are OK (I have used a Halfords Ripspeed touch screen unit before) but sound quality will be below the standard that you have now.
From memory, the cheapest 'high quality' set up with sat nav will be an Alpine system. They do a double din unit that has a hidaway docking Blackbird navigation unit. Cool thing is, you can pop out the Blackbird and slip it into another car of use hand held. These headunits can be upgraded to whatever extent you like, you can add on bluetooth hands free/audio streaming, video/audio I-pod units, Additional screens, TV tuners blah blah... that are controled from the touch screen.
About £900.00, example is on the website below,
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/6562.html.

These guys, www.caraudiodirect.co.uk, I found alot more helpfull, but the web site is not as great. They will be better contacted by phone.

OH, if you are fitting this your self note that there is no switched live in the 203 harness, use the ciggi lighter (+)tive.
Removal instructions are on this site ........ somewhere.

Hope this helps!
Good luck.
 

Miffy

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these chinese double din units are ok, well you get what you pay for, mostly they run WinCE v5 so the mapping can be any system that will run on WinCE. As for steering controls, I doubt very much you will get that with the chinese jobby
 

J400uk

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As mentioned on one of the questions on the listing, they are cheap for a reason.
 

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