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Double DIN Install on 2001 & 2003 C215

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18K views 15 replies 6 participants last post by  H20ham  
#1 ·
In this topic I will be posting my experiences as I install a Double Din head unit and a new sound system bypassing the fiber optic sound system in my 2001 CL55. The weight and look of the system will be as stock as possible because it's a racecar lol (to me this isn't the type of car you throw two 15" speakers in the trunk). I am posting this topic because there isn't really that much info anywhere on the web for the sound systems of the C215s. I have found some info on forums but not enough for someone who hasn't dealt with this type of car before or mite be a little scared to do so.

Skill Level: Some electrical experience, good aftermarket audio system install experience.

I will be replacing the factory fiber optic amp and all the speakers. 16 year old Bose just isn't doing it for me anymore. On the display between your speedometer and tachometer there will no longer be access or display to the audio, navigation, or phone.

This is for anyone who has never dealt with this type of system or is new to Mercedes. If you break parts on your car or the system doesn't work properly I will not be responsible. Also I do not work or advertise for any of the mentioned companies.

This information was gathered from the great members of BenzWorld, sources I've found from searching the internet, contacting audio companies, and what will be, my experiences.

First you will need a DASH KIT or radio bezel that fits the double din you would like to use. You can make your own dash kit which many people have or: From what I have found for an ordinary sized double din you can use an aftermarket W220 double din dash kit/bezel with a little modification. You will still need to cut your center dash where the old head unit sat. There is a company that sells the kit for a 2001 C215 (over priced). But if u click on the individual parts you will see the kit uses a bezel from a W220.

Link: http://shop.mediaexponent.com/Tarjous-nro-1101

I bought mine on Amazon for about $60 in wood grain.

Second you will need a WIRING HARNESS.
I could not find a wiring harness that fit by searching by my car so I contacted the sales team at Metra Audio. The salesman I spoke with said the Part number: 70-9401 would fit if you are bypassing the fiber optic system. Which means new amps.

Third you will need a steering wheel control interface if you would like to keep the steering wheel controls. Axxess Interfaces makes a steering wheel control interface that will connect to Mercedes with a couple wire connections.

The Speaker sizes in the doors are 6.5". I'm not sure the size of the center speaker in the dash yet but I will update when I find out. There is a subwoofer in the rear deck it is either a 8" or a 10" but I am custom fitting a 10". So buy speaker of your choice accordingly.

I will post pictures and updates as I go along with the install.

I have not began the install yet so input is welcome. Thank you to all the members that have shared info with me on this subject.
 
S
#2 ·
2003 CL-500

I used this Chinese piece - it is air-brushed to match most wood grains and it looks doggone good :) They also make a black one. Comes with mounting hardware too.

Carav 11 409 Car Facia Panel Frame Plate 2 DIN for Mercedes Benz CL Klasse C215 | eBay

Got a simple Pioneer 2-DIN (included harness) from Crutchfield. All you need is the wiring diagram for the stock system and you can connect to any aftermarket harness.

I put a 5-Channel amp in the stock trunk location and used all stock wiring except for power cable from rear battery. Replaced 6.5" door speakers (front) but it took a couple of tries - the stock ones play pretty well with an aftermarket amp. I never found a suitable replacement for the rear door speakers (4"), the stock ones worked fine.

I could not get the stock sub location to work very well by itself, so I used a 10" in a box with great results. Just getting the stock one out to modify is a MAJOR hassle. If you go the box route, reach up and CUT OUT the speaker cone of the stock sub - a good trunk sub will cause the stock one to whuffle (even unplugged).
 

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#3 ·
Thanks for the input sir. The reason I didn't use that double din kit is because the 2001 & 2002 CL COMAND is different from the 2003 and up, and no one actually makes a dash kit for the 2001 & 2002 CL.

Also in my car I am going through the pain of removing the factory sub and custom fitting a 10" sub in the rear deck with a aftermarket amp in the factory amp location. It's going to be a lot of work but I'll live.
 
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#4 ·
I replaced all the speakers in my W202. If you have 4" speakers in the rear, I strongly recommend Polk Audio DB401. Excellent speakers, and they fit perfectly. They have the same speaker but in a slightly larger mount, the DB501. You need to measure it out and check which one fits best.
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the input. I'm still figuring out what speakers I want. I was thinking maybe Focals. They seem to have a great review on every website I have saw. But I will consider Polk audio. I like to research everything before I go through with the purchase as anyone would. I'm not saying the factory Bose is horrible but it could be better I only want to make sure I'm upgrading not downgrading. But thanks again!
 
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#6 ·
If it's of any help:
I tried several Infinity sets but was not impressed. I ended up using these Rockford Fosgate PPS4-6 https://www.caraudioco.com/rockford-fosgate-pps4-6.html?fee=2&fep=2786

plus a set of Pioneer TS-B350PRO 3-½" Bullet Tweeter Pioneer TS-B350PRO 3-½" Bullet Tweeter-Newegg.com

You can get in for just over $100 and I think very fine sound. I tried options up to $400 and never beat this combo :)

The 6.5" RF's have a massive magnet but will fit in the stock plastic mounting baskets with a little trimming. The Pioneer tweets are very beefy and have a much better effective range compared to the little round ones, and I used the supplied crossovers. I wedged them into the front of the door storage trays below the arm rest and they have stayed put and provide a nice soundstage (cover up the red stripes with a Sharpie:).
 

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#7 ·
smartadze said:
If it's of any help:
I tried several Infinity sets but was not impressed. I ended up using these Rockford Fosgate PPS4-6 https://www.caraudioco.com/rockford-fosgate-pps4-6.html?fee=2&fep=2786

plus a set of Pioneer TS-B350PRO 3-½" Bullet Tweeter Pioneer TS-B350PRO 3-½" Bullet Tweeter-Newegg.com

You can get in for just over $100 and I think very fine sound. I tried options up to $400 and never beat this combo :)

The 6.5" RF's have a massive magnet but will fit in the stock plastic mounting baskets with a little trimming. The Pioneer tweets are very beefy and have a much better effective range compared to the little round ones, and I used the supplied crossovers. I wedged them into the front of the door storage trays below the arm rest and they have stayed put and provide a nice soundstage (cover up the red stripes with a Sharpie:).
Click to expand...
That's funny. Gotta do what u gotta do tho. I was actually looking at putting those pioneer bullets in my car also. Have you done anything with the speakers in the back?
Where r they located?
 
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#8 ·
I tried several options for the rear-door speakers but never improved on the stock Bose ones. In a speaker that small you can pay a lot but not hear much difference IMO, especially if you've chosen well for the door-fronts (they're only 3 feet apart). The 2003 has no other rear speakers except the sub in package tray.

I also blew off the center-dash speaker. It's not only a cast-iron bitch to replace or re-wire (wires are not present at the rear amp but in dash only), but it also requires a ++ signal that combines both channels as a "fill" effect. But most modern amps - and certainly those that will run at 2 ohms - will not support that crossed signal. You might be able to run the center speaker as a ++ fill channel using the amp present in your head unit, but my Pioneer would not support this either.

PS if it helps, I have all the stereo-related wiring diagrams and door-panel removal scripts available if you need them.
 
S
#10 ·
A bunch of files - pdf, photo, and text - concerning stereo install and trim removal.
 

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#15 ·
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