Aftermarket Headunit in 2005 C230 K?

[b00st4ddicted]

I recently just bought my first Mercedes, but unfortunately it does not have a MP3 player. I know that I can install the aux input, but the quality of the sound just doesn't cut it. I have a pretty good Alpine deck that I want to put into this car. Will there be any problems by me doing this? I know I'll loose the steering wheel control. Any suggestions?

[UK-C200]

So I'd question "quality of the sound does not cut it". What you are getting with the AUX input is as good as the output of your mp3 player - the quality differences you might see will come from a better quality head unit.

At the moment the only way (ok, yes, there are exceptions, they are few and far between) to get sound out of an mp3 player and into a car tends to be the line level output of the mp3 player into an aux input on the HU or amp. The difference you will see with the Alpine head unit is better integration with an iPod IF you go with the iPod integration kit. This will allow you to use the HU (and maybe the steering controls) to control the iPod. Sound quality is still line level output to aux input on the HU.

If you decide to replace the HU, you will lose the ability to control any other MOST modules in the car - so teleaid, bose amp (if installed), mobile phone integration, linguatronics, etc.

If you are putting even a slightly modern Alpine in the car, invest in the Alpine CAN bus integration kit, and then you will retain the steering wheel controls as well.

To be honest, I can't hear the difference between a Blaupunkt HU and a stock Audio 10 HU with 320kb/s VBR mp3's off an iPod. If you replaced the speakers and added an amp, I'm sure you could make it louder, but I doubt you will get much more in the way of "clean" sound. If you have the option of using the AUX input, that's the option I'd take - specially considering the fact if it's not already wired on your car, it will only take a $40 cable and about 45 minutes to hook up....

[b00st4ddicted]

thank you so much for your thoughts. i shall go buy an cable tomorrow. now, will i loose the cd changer if i use the aux input?

[UK-C200]

Lose the CD changer? Nah, you should be fine if your car is a 2005 - take a look at AUX input in w203's.

[Skylaw]

Or, you could try the Dension Gateway 500 for MOST bus. Fiber optic input to your factory HU, control from the steering wheel and the HU - and if you have COMAND, song titles displayed on the COMAND screen. If not, full control from the iPod itself. See http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audi...rime-time.html