W203 (pre-facelift) - Audio 10 - Adding Phone Feature and Aux Input help

[JellyMonster]

Hi,

I have just bought 2002 C200 kompressor. It has the Audio 10 head unit, but I don't really use CD's anymore. So I was looking at upgrading somehow...

The 2 main features that I would like to add are:
Aux input - This is the most important.
Phone feature - if it works out too expensive/too much hassle I can live without it.
Any other features (i.e. Navigation) would be a bonus.

The other catch is I want it to all look manufacture fitted or as close to it.

I've spent quite a lot of time researching it all, but I'm just getting bogged down so I need some help.

I was initially looking at the Comand 2.0 upgrade. These are going for around £350 on eBay. Will this do what I want with the phone and aux? And it is quite an old system, is it worth it? Are there better alternatives or ways round this?

I also saw the Dynavin MC2000 which looks very much like the Comand system, but newer and with more features. But it's £630!!! Way above my budget! And I can't find any used ones anywhere.

I am also open to after market double din head unit ideas, just remember the oem look . The Pioneer P3400BH looked quite good, but I don't think it's available in the UK.

And finally, it I can't get what I'm looking for, how can I add aux input into the Audio 10? And are there any decent after market hands free solutions that integrate with the Mercedes?

I look forward to any input.

Thanks
JM

 

[gizze]

No Aux for Audio 10.

Bluetooth with be very expensive retrofit or aftermarket.


None of the oem looking Chinese units like Dynavin are very good imho, poor interfaces, terrible sound quality and very unreliable. My brother bought a Dynavin and after 4 months the gps has died, he has been told that 90 days is all the warranty they get.


I had a double din Pioneer AppRadio in mine, looked pretty good....

Now running a Pioneer 80prs single din though as I wanted a good sound quality system, miss the looks and features of the double din but the sound is superb.

I think my money would be a Pioneer F940BT, can be had for under £500 now.
If not the X3500DAB, gives you everything bar nav and dab radio.

Clarion double din units this year are nice too.

 

[JellyMonster]

Thanks for your input Gizze.

I think you are right, the best way forward is aftermarket units. How easy was the installation in terms of wiring? Also, how does work with the steering wheel controls and dashboard display?

 

[gizze]

I bought the steering wheel adapter for mine, this made it completely plug and play.
You will need to buy a £5 lead as well that hooks the adapter to the make of headunit you go for, Alpine, Calrion, Pioneer, etc. etc.

The display just says AUDIO but I always have mine on the OBC anyway, so never bothered me.

Takes around 30 mins to install tops, and that is only because the removal of the wood, alu rim etc, is a bit long winded.
But dead easy.

 

[JellyMonster]

All sounds good to me. I will look into double din after marker head units and see what I can find.

 

[JellyMonster]

Hi Gizze,

Would you recommend the App Radio?

Ou said you changed it to upgrade audio. Was it bad? Compared to Audio 10.

Also, how much was the steering controls adapter? I'm looking at full kits for about £100 on eBay.

Thanks

 

[gizze]

Steering wheel adapter with patch lead to hook it up to the pioneer and fascia was £55 from dynamicsounds.co.uk

The Appradio was OK, just that I had an 80PRS which sounds amazing, the Appradio beat the Audio 10 though.

I swapped for a Pioneer x3500 DAB, just preferred the hard buttons and the fact I leave an ipod hooked up and never used the app side of things. The X3500 does advanced app mode too.

The X3500 does sound a bit better too, slightly mode control, better EQ, and the centre soundstage (time alignment) allows for a nicer set up for Audio.

Plus DAB is a real bonus, would never buy a car without it now, being able to listen to Jazz FM nationwide, along with crystal clear 5 live everywhere is such a bonus.

The other one is a Clarion NX502E with the dab add on, but that is £6-700, but really nice UI, great sound and nav as well, but trying to decide if it is worth the price to upgrade.

 

[gizze]

This is the X3500DAB....

 

[turbopete]

Parrot kit is easiest way for the phone IMO. I have one in my car and it works fine. didnt bother with the steering wheel interface though!

 

[gizze]

For phone yeah, but I have a real hatred for things stuck on the dash anywhere.
I usually don't like aftermarket head units either but some of the older Mercs take them quite well look wise.

The Pioneer has Parrot Bluetooth built in.
Plus you get DAB, USB audio, Bluetooth audio streaming (sees your car as an airplay speaker) full ipid control, nav through your phone etc. etc.

Plus it does update the interior a fair bit too imho.

Considering you can get the Pioneer App radio 6" screen for £120 from Halfords at the moment it is not much more than a decent bluetooth kit.

 

[JellyMonster]

Gizze,

I think you've hit the spot with the x3500.

I think I'm going to pay the bit extra from the AppRadio to get better quality.

I'll see what the best prices are tomorrow.

 

[gizze]

You want to pay around £295 for one online with shipping

Halfords have it at £599 so they are obviously about to go to half price soon at £299 again.

I may sell this when I get back from holiday and have a go with the Clarion, but away till a week Friday.

I guess around £240 including the c class double din fascia?

 

[gizze]

I also have the advanced app mode cable as well, so £260 including delivery and cable, I think the cable was £30.

 

[JellyMonster]

Definitely interested!

How old is the unit? Will it still have a bit of warranty?

Also, what further bits will I need? Steering control adapter and cable from that to Pioneer? Also, do you recommend any fitting tools so I don't damage the dash?

 

[gizze]

Yeah, still got 10 months or so, I bought it from Halfords when it was on offer at £300, so any problems you could take it into a local branch, however, they never go wrong.

You would need a steering wheel adapter and that is it, I have the double din fascia already. They are £40 now.
I just gave my old adapter away, hence I no longer have it.

I will be back next Friday, so blip me a PM if you're interested.