This thread is offered as a primer on Mercedes audio systems. It is not intended to instruct as to how to replace or update any specific audio system from start to finish, but will provide a good starting point to a basic understanding in the event you wish to make a change. It is also not intended as a discussion thread. It is intended as a reference tool that provides broad outlines of what is necessary from the most extensive and expensive replacement to fairly simple system enhancements. This thread draws on the expertise of many forum members; and hopefully it will improve over time with the inclusion of the efforts of more.
Below, you will find links to far more detailed “how-to” posts; if you need more advice, it is best if you seek more detailed information from the folks who contributed their expertise in those posts.
STARTERS:
D2B or MOST? You can determine whether your car has a D2B or a MOST fiber optics bus by referring to the first page of the phone bulletin for your car - post 5, https://www.benzworld.org/forums/audio-telematics-forum/2041985-great-update-phone-bulletins.html
Which Head Unit Do You Have? A good resource for determining which MB head unit and nav system you have is at http://www.mercupgrades.com
and at https://www.mba-max.de/Customer/Navigation/Online/Navi_Car_EN.pdf?user=OdusDE&Pwd=wayore
COMAND: COMAND designations, part numbers, associated navigation system information is at http://www.mercupgrades.com
Component Level Repair of Mercedes electronics: http://mandbspecialist.com
Troubleshooting a No Audio Problem: http://www.carstereohelp.com/mercedesFiberOptic.htm
New Nav Data Anti-Piracy Features: The short version, post 29 https://www.benzworld.org/forums/audio-telematics-forum/1360778-re-command-aps-upgrade-mode-3.html
Other Problems: There is a well-developed section on COMAND, Navigation and other issues in the W220 S-Class Encyclopedia; while directed mainly toward the MY 2000-2006 W220, much of it is applicable to most other models of that vintage. https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w2...lass-encyclopedia-start-here.html#post4298905 (if you have followup questions to material found in the W220 Encyclopedia, please ask them in the Audio & Telematics forum - unless you are asking about a W220 - and provide a link to the source in the W220 forum).
IF YOU NEED WIRING DIAGRAMS they may be at http://www.bbbind.com/free_tsb.html - member Pinkster has provided us this link which covers Technical Service Bulletins and Wiring Diagrams for many MB models. Thanks, Dean!!
Also: I am not affiliated with any retailer, manufacturer, or seller of audio equipment. Links to products are for informational purposes only, and are not to be construed as endorsement.
Because this is intended to be a reference tool, and not a general discussion, the thread is locked. If you have questions, observations, or wish to highlight something related to your own experience, please do so in a new thread, or by adding your comments to threads referenced in links below. If you come across a thread anywhere that you think would be helpful here, including from the vehicle-specific sub-forums, please PM or email me a link to it via the forum, and it will be considered for inclusion.
Disclaimer: - This thread is not intended to, and will not, take you from A to Z on any installation or modification. I am not a professional installer - I work on my own cars, and I do not have 3rd party installation diagrams or materials. There are many questions on specifics concerning your particular vehicle or system I will not be able to answer – so please don’t PM or email me for such responses, especially if you are altering your MB system with 3rd party equipment. If you elect to make changes you will likely have to do further research in selecting equipment, in determining wiring locations, and in doing the actual installation. That will be your responsibility. Unless you are certain of your skills, you may find it advisable to seek the assistance of an audio professional, the manufacturer, or seller from whom you purchased or intend to purchase your equipment; and you should do so before undertaking changes.
That said, there is a very innovative series of steps that one member took during his 3rd party system installation in a W220; see https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220-s-class/2305650-w220-2004-comand-ntg1-most-optical.html
Below, you will find links to far more detailed “how-to” posts; if you need more advice, it is best if you seek more detailed information from the folks who contributed their expertise in those posts.
STARTERS:
D2B or MOST? You can determine whether your car has a D2B or a MOST fiber optics bus by referring to the first page of the phone bulletin for your car - post 5, https://www.benzworld.org/forums/audio-telematics-forum/2041985-great-update-phone-bulletins.html
Which Head Unit Do You Have? A good resource for determining which MB head unit and nav system you have is at http://www.mercupgrades.com
and at https://www.mba-max.de/Customer/Navigation/Online/Navi_Car_EN.pdf?user=OdusDE&Pwd=wayore
COMAND: COMAND designations, part numbers, associated navigation system information is at http://www.mercupgrades.com
Component Level Repair of Mercedes electronics: http://mandbspecialist.com
Troubleshooting a No Audio Problem: http://www.carstereohelp.com/mercedesFiberOptic.htm
New Nav Data Anti-Piracy Features: The short version, post 29 https://www.benzworld.org/forums/audio-telematics-forum/1360778-re-command-aps-upgrade-mode-3.html
Other Problems: There is a well-developed section on COMAND, Navigation and other issues in the W220 S-Class Encyclopedia; while directed mainly toward the MY 2000-2006 W220, much of it is applicable to most other models of that vintage. https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w2...lass-encyclopedia-start-here.html#post4298905 (if you have followup questions to material found in the W220 Encyclopedia, please ask them in the Audio & Telematics forum - unless you are asking about a W220 - and provide a link to the source in the W220 forum).
IF YOU NEED WIRING DIAGRAMS they may be at http://www.bbbind.com/free_tsb.html - member Pinkster has provided us this link which covers Technical Service Bulletins and Wiring Diagrams for many MB models. Thanks, Dean!!
Also: I am not affiliated with any retailer, manufacturer, or seller of audio equipment. Links to products are for informational purposes only, and are not to be construed as endorsement.
Because this is intended to be a reference tool, and not a general discussion, the thread is locked. If you have questions, observations, or wish to highlight something related to your own experience, please do so in a new thread, or by adding your comments to threads referenced in links below. If you come across a thread anywhere that you think would be helpful here, including from the vehicle-specific sub-forums, please PM or email me a link to it via the forum, and it will be considered for inclusion.
Disclaimer: - This thread is not intended to, and will not, take you from A to Z on any installation or modification. I am not a professional installer - I work on my own cars, and I do not have 3rd party installation diagrams or materials. There are many questions on specifics concerning your particular vehicle or system I will not be able to answer – so please don’t PM or email me for such responses, especially if you are altering your MB system with 3rd party equipment. If you elect to make changes you will likely have to do further research in selecting equipment, in determining wiring locations, and in doing the actual installation. That will be your responsibility. Unless you are certain of your skills, you may find it advisable to seek the assistance of an audio professional, the manufacturer, or seller from whom you purchased or intend to purchase your equipment; and you should do so before undertaking changes.
That said, there is a very innovative series of steps that one member took during his 3rd party system installation in a W220; see https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220-s-class/2305650-w220-2004-comand-ntg1-most-optical.html