W203 After market car stereo

[lenchoy]

Hi Guys

My Audio10 cd play in my '03 C270 CDI Estate refuses to play cds of any tyoe now.

I looked at buying a new Audio 10 but at around £440 I would rather pay for a "big" brand stereo.

I have looked at various websites and I know I will new a new facia plate, a new wiring harness and a antenna adaptor.

My questions to all of you out there are:-

Will I need, as autoleads suggests, a inline FM modulator link?

Do I need any kind of aerial amplifier?

Is there any aftermarket device that now manages to intergrate an aftermarket car stereo fully with the controls of the steering wheel and the display in the binnacle?

If there isn't the said device will I lose all display on the dashboard or will it just not display stereo functions?

Many Thanks

Len

 

[coolpot]

Hi, various companys make the steering interface, but ive heard that they arent very good!

first off i didnt need new wiring as my car is 2002 C class, and they use ISO wiring, so the wiring harness that came with cd player just plugged in.. i know the latest mercs are no longer ISO apparently, but i thought they were on 2004 model... but im not sure now!

When new unit is fitted you get the Audio option still but it doesnt do anything and the display looks like this...

Audio
----

just a centerised message Audio with 4 hyphens, i didnt change anything to do with my amplifier etc...


you will need a new facia, and belive it or not a new pocket thing too comes with it, ( the pocket area under the standard radio ) i was surprised about that, as it looked kinda seperate, but still!

If you are doing any big upgrade or for anyone who is considering, like i did to mine, i ran a power lead to back of car from battery for a amp/sub, there is a block that has plastic pegs at top of bulkhead/firewall, and you can remove a peg and it pokes wires thru the bulkhead/firewall so that you dont have to go making holes or anything, the plastic pegs are just removable things to stop water ingress i guess..

The head unit removal itself is covered in DIY section, i ran cables from bulkhead, along inside of dash, removed the passenger carpet and cable goes through the plastic heater duct thing under passenger seat, into side trim, and through the nice clipped cable ducts, they are a really nicely designed car makes running cable to the rear easy.

 

[W203-C220]

How did things go & what head unit?

I want to upgrade my own W203 C220CDi (2001) which is fitted with the Audio 10 CASSETTE/radio - not the CD version. Suffice to say that one almost never uses tapes these days, my dealer said my existing head unit won't take a CD changer then offered to sell me a CD head unit for £450+ fitting but I declined obviously!

So I'm considering the after-market unit with in-dash adaptor that you seem to be referring to. But again nobody can tell me if I'd need additional wiring adaptors and if the steering wheel buttons will work partially if at all!

What I'd ideally like, is the ability to plug my MP3 player or Phone DIRECTLY into my existing head unit. Failing that, a CD changer that will play MP3 discs.
But if mine is not upgradable then I might as well cut my losses and swap to the after-market head/cd changer bundle - if there is one?

Can you offer any advice on this for a new member like myself? Bet lots of others have been through this process already so comments welcomed

 

[Just Phil]

Hi guys, if anyones interested I've got a Audio10cd that was taken out of my wifes c180 last week when we had command fitted. I know nothing about fitting these things but it was in perfect working order when removed, first person to offer me £150 can have it

 

[speedybiker]

I have one as well if anyone else is interested.

To be fair to just phil I will only sell mine after he has sold his.

 

[Just Phil]

i always said bikers were gentlemen lol but then i would im one too

 

[alfamerc]

Phil where did you get the Command system fitted and how much was it? Was it an easy swap for the cd10?

 

[speedybiker]

Comand system for your car is very easy to install.
You need comand, GPS Antenna and a map CD.
You will also need a wiring loom to go with it.

If you need any help let me know.

Alex.

 

[Tinman399]

Mercedes C160 Audio Query

About six months ago I change my audio 20 cd player for a dvd head uint all worked fine after connecting with an adapter that changed the connects to ISO type. I recently changed the DVD just for straight foreward kenwood unit however it stopped worked ands I assumed I had blown a fuse.I have checked all teh fuses in teh 3 fuise boxes none have blown. The only way I have been able to get the stereo to work is to use an alternative ignition live. I am assuming there must be an in line fuse somewhere that I have missed. Can anyone help