Advice on Mods for a 2005 CLK500?

[ScottyB]

Hi all!

I'm picking up a garage queen 2005 CLK500 (Black ext with Sand interior) tomorrow and would like to make some modifications. The deal was just too appealing to pass up on.

I have looked through the threads and noticed that some of these things were covered back in 2005, but would like to know if there are better options now in 2007.

Here are the immediate Mods I would like to make.

1) Install a V1 Radar Detector - I realize that some of you may think other detectors are better, I just happen to be loyal to this product and feel there is no other substitute. Ideally I would like to have it permanently mounted and use the concealed display. I seem to remember a few years ago that someone was integrating them through the CAN bus to display on the speedo of BMWs. Is this available for MBs?

2) iPod integration - my car has the Nav Radio and some aux input in the glove box. It also has the CD change in the glove as well. I would like to be able to control the iPod via the steering wheel controls. What is the best kit, be it MB or an after-market?

3) Blue tooth - The car is prewired for a cell phone, but I do not have the cradle. My dealer told me that I needed to buy the cradle and then some adapter to use the blue tooth features. He said it would cost around $2k. Is this correct? Are there other options?

Later down the road I would like to get black rims with a polished silver lip, just to improve the looks.

As for performance mods, I'm really not that interested since I am spoiled and own a Lotus. So really the clk500 will just be my "daddy mobile" for tooling around with the wife and kids.

[rob13572468]

Originally Posted by ScottyB

Hi all!

I'm picking up a garage queen 2005 CLK500 (Black ext with Sand interior) tomorrow and would like to make some modifications. The deal was just too appealing to pass up on.

I have looked through the threads and noticed that some of these things were covered back in 2005, but would like to know if there are better options now in 2007.


As for performance mods, I'm really not that interested since I am spoiled and own a Lotus. So really the clk500 will just be my "daddy mobile" for tooling around with the wife and kids.

oh so you're one of those lotus guys... i suppose your going to tell us how our cars are too heavy now and we need to remove everything in a never ending quest to make our cars lighter...

Originally Posted by ScottyB

1) Install a V1 Radar Detector - I realize that some of you may think other detectors are better, I just happen to be loyal to this product and feel there is no other substitute. Ideally I would like to have it permanently mounted and use the concealed display. I seem to remember a few years ago that someone was integrating them through the CAN bus to display on the speedo of BMWs. Is this available for MBs?

oh man... a lotus guy who thinks that valentine one is the best... its getting worse by the minute. seriously though, wasnt there some guy on on the lotus forums who was doing that stuff... cant remeber his name... real good looking guy though.. and smart too...

anyway does this answer your question:

YouTube - K40 cluster display on mercedes CLK

or this...

YouTube - Valentine One Custom Display pt. 1

or this...

YouTube - Valentine One Custom Display pt. 2

Originally Posted by ScottyB

2) iPod integration - my car has the Nav Radio and some aux input in the glove box. It also has the CD change in the glove as well. I would like to be able to control the iPod via the steering wheel controls. What is the best kit, be it MB or an after-market?

the MB add-in kit works via steering wheel controls and puts the ipod songs on the cluster display. this can also be done with an aftermarket kit like the dension depending on which head unit you have.

Originally Posted by ScottyB

3) Blue tooth - The car is prewired for a cell phone, but I do not have the cradle. My dealer told me that I needed to buy the cradle and then some adapter to use the blue tooth features. He said it would cost around $2k. Is this correct? Are there other options?

check in your center console: if there is a raised plastic cover or plug then all you need is the bluetooth puck to get going (~$399). if you dont have it (the console is flat with just an pop-out imprint) then you need the whole phone system which is like $2K. alternately if you dont need to dial through the headunit then an aftermarket bluetooth handsfree kit can be intergated that gives most of the same features but is much less expensive.



anyway pm me and ill get you set up...

[ScottyB]

Rob,
I forgot you were doing MB stuff. Damn I could have gone straight to you from the get go. I'll send a pm.