Replacement Radio/CD/etc for W639 Vito

[JoVito]

2009 Vito W639 - here in UK
Original fit Radio/CD playing up - need to replace.
Seeing a lot of replacement ones with screens / SatNavs / bluetppth etc etc
7" / 9" ?? Needs to be an easy fit in existing space.
Have an iPhone if needs to match ?? Some seem shown as Android ??
Any recommendations of some good ones / or ones to avoid ?
Or just replace with simple bog-standard original (second hand ebay) ???
Any comments welcomed.

 

[MinionBob]

I had an android touchscreen unit for a short while but could not get it to work with air suspension; threw an error on the dash. Other than that it would have been a good replacement for a dead merc unit. went straight in with only some minor fiddling.

 

[JoVito]

Thanks MinionBob - my Vito has normal springs.
I'll have another look at the android ones

 

[AnthonyUK]

If it helps., I have had an Erisin unit installed for around 4 years without an issue.

 

[JoVito]

Many thanks AnthonyUK - just looked them up, look nice. Was it a 7" or 10" ?
I need to do a check on the present aerial connections and whether that is OK.

 

[M80]

I've only seen 9" screens for the 639, no side buttons on those.
The 7 and 8" can have easier to swap apps buttons.
Be sure it has octo core and 4gig of ram. DSP is a must.
I haven't a clue about iphone compatibility.

You can start by installing as basic and add your extra goodies later.

I can only imagine that the air suspension issue is down to a canbus glitch, I occasionally have my rear wiper decide it wishes to wipe for no reason. After a fair bit of diagnosis I've concluded that my Erisin 9" HU is causing that.

I suggest you buy through eBay or such, install and then take it on a v long run or 2. If it falls over when warmed up return within 30 days.

 

[AnthonyUK]

Many thanks AnthonyUK - just looked them up, look nice. Was it a 7" or 10" ?
I need to do a check on the present aerial connections and whether that is OK.

Mine was 7" as I wanted it to look semi-OEM (COMAND 2.0 style) and they run Android as the OS but are iPhone compatible.
Most have been updated and now have a DSP for improved sound (you might beed to replace the stock speakers though to get any benefit) and Apple Carplay/Android Auto built in.

I added a DAB radio and reversing cam when I ordered mine as it wasn't so much extra.

 

[M80]

Site the GPS antenna below the document pod on the dash.
the cable routes easily enough down to the HU, but will need coiling.

 

[Droverunner]

I have no experience of the Chinese Ebay type replacement units but note on another forum I was on with a lot of Vito/Vianos quite a few had suffered glitchy performance with the cheapies and advised paying double for known brands.

The only thing I would say if you considered an OE replacement take care re the unit's age. At some point (maybe 2010 0r 2012??) the units from that year onwards were coded to the car and only a main dealer can make them work in an alternative vehicle... and most refuse to do so.

 

[JoVito]

Many thanks all for the very useful info - apart from the Erisin make that AnthonyUK mentioned, what make/model have others of you used, and what are the better quality ones to consider. I'm guessing most come from China these days !

 

[AnthonyUK]

These vehicle specific models are generally made in China.
They use a Rockchip PX5/6 CPU and are made by 6 or so manufacturers.
This is the main source of info for them I have found and is very technical if you are not IT literate - https://forum.xda-developers.com/c/head-units.3833/
The type currently in use is known as MTCD/E

People choose Erisin and maybe other makes as they have a UK distributer and store on Ebay which makes it easier should you need to return it.
So no real bearing on quality per se. I just veiw these as any other IT equipment so as long as it has a useable spec, everything else is handled by software.
There are custom ROMs available on the XDA site which again needs a certain level of competence to use.
I would guess this is where the majority of user issues stem from with these units but anyone that has used an android phone or tablet should be fine.

 

[JoVito]

Many thanks AnthonyUK - I dropped an message to Erisin on their online website asking best model for my Vito - they have replied:
Thank you very much for your message!
------------------
2009 W639 Vito. --
Please send us your car console size and picture and photos about power plug.
We have stereo es8716, please check the size and power plug before order.
Important Note:
1. This unit es8716 has front panel size 220mm(Top width)*124mm(High)*210mm(Bottom width), please check your
dashboard size before bid to avoid mistake!
2. If this unit's Front Panel Size can not fit your BENZ C/CLK newer model car, please find the other item ES8718 in our shop
https://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/easyrising/ES8716C-E18-Dimension.jpg
https://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/easyrising/ES8716C-E19-Wiring-Diagram.jpg
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email us.
-----------------
I'm reasonably IT literate and handy fitting these sort of things, but as with most modern electronic systems they are a bit of a 'black box' and you just want to 'plug&play' as they used to say - never sure if anything is that easy anymore. Am a bit wary of the Merc canbus system as once when I tried fitting a rear camera it kept showing faults and I scrapped it. I am wondering whether these units use the existing Vito aerial - I need to check the integrity of that anyway.

 

[JoVito]

Seeming to me that these units are not a direct size fit - has anyone found this - not sure if a gap round, or whether you can fit a different trim panel round my do the job ??

 

[M80]

The 1st photo is for the earlier than 2006 639,
After that they became more square and there are plenty of perfect fit HU's available.

While there are various styles and similar styles from different suppliers to Erisin, as I did, if you study their site you will see the same unit at different prices. Because these adverts are so complex it takes experience to see this, so many will mistakenly assume the more you spend the more you get.
The result of asking Erisin as you did is like saying how much of my money do you want, if they can identify the correct unit for your motor anyway.

Octo core,
4 gig ram,
DSP.
Whichever internal memory it has it will be more than you need.

'If' you can see more ram in the spec that's an advantage.

Reverse cams and dash cams are cheaper bought later, and easy add ons.
I've no experience of DAB.
Forget tyre pressure monitors I've not seen them work yet.