W124 - Fitting COMAND

[ROB w124]

I have a late W124 "facelift" model 280E and am looking to fit a COMAND unit.

I understand that this can be done if I change the centre console to the one issued on taxi models.

Can anyone let me know if I am right and, if so, where I can find parts and whether you know of anyone who takes on such installations.

Thanks

 

[Alfie]

I have a late W124 "facelift" model 280E and am looking to fit a COMAND unit.

I understand that this can be done if I change the centre console to the one issued on taxi models.

Can anyone let me know if I am right and, if so, where I can find parts and whether you know of anyone who takes on such installations.

Thanks

You are right. It can be done.

I know a few people who have installed Comand into W202's and they too were never designed for comand.

Basically the best thing to do is to source yourself a comand unit. The ideal one to use is A163 820 36 89 as this is an ML unit and hence does not require any CANBUS connections. the power and speaker connections on the back are standard ISO so there shouldnt be a problem there.

Cant advise on the mounting of it but it is a standard double DIN size so it should pop in easily but you may need to make up a small bracket or two with some old meccano or similar. The one thing you will need to find is a speed pulse. If your car does not have one, you can fit one. Take a look at richard Almeida's web page http://www.mercupgrades.com there is a section under retrofitting which deals with cars that were not available with comand. It also points you to where you can find a speed pulse.

Fitting the antennae is easy as it can be mounted on the underside of the dashboard. So long as it can see up through the windscreen and there is no metal in its way, it will be fine.

Good luck.

 

[Bolide]

If anyone has a W124, Comand and the relevant bits, I'd be interested to fit it to see what's involved. Console apart it shouldn't be any worse than fitting a Blaupunkt SpeedPilot

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk