Thats pretty bad ass how difficult was it and how much does something like that cost. Also do your steering wheel controls work?

 

Steering wheel controls work....Volume +/-, mute, seek/tune, ipod up/down....set me back about $1200 w/self install....then sold command and argos...I came out ahead...so I bought a JL audio 1000/1 amp and two 10W7 subs (fiberglassing into the worthless cubbies in the trunk)

 

That looks suuuweeeet. Did you have to fabricate the trim? It seems to blend in well with the stock trim piece.

 

That's the trim piece that came with the Alpine Head Unit

 

I'd be very interested in something like this. Did the unit come with everything needed to set it up the way you have it? Would you consider posting a how-to? These units are only $650, how did you get to $1200?

 

The Alpine head unit cost me $615 on Amazon...the price fluctuates...just got it on a good day. The Navigation will set you back about $500, I got lucky and found a Blackbird II on ebay that was 3 months old (these are brand new models) that was $280. You'll need the VW harness $10, I also had the Steering wheel controller sent in from Germany which set me back another $170. The PAC OEA-2 for $30 and a PAC TR7 Video bypass for $20. Ipod cable $20. That comes to around $1200. Everything you see came with the unit (and some things you don't see) such as the cage around the Alpine (which fits the MB cage PERFECT) I just had to use rivits to hold it in. The trim peace is the Alpine trim peace which is also included.

 

Ah, I thought the nav was part of the unit, didnt realize it was seperate. Where did you get the steering wheel controller? I'm really interested in doing this. I've got comand and I don't even have the nav disks for it, and I'd really like to make use of that big space in my console. Also, what VW harness did you use? I've got the Bose system as well so I want to make sure I hook it up right.

 

I got the SWC from Ebay Germany. I'm lucky and my Sister happens to live in Stuttgart, so I had the vender send it to my sister who mailed it to me here. Why Alpine doesn't sell this in the U.S. is beyond me! They work perfect with their new systems. I used VW Metra #70-1784, the speaker wires match perfect, it's the pwr/amp trigger ect..that don't match...which is no problem for you because I have all the pinouts written down. I guess you could hook up speaker wires right to the Bose Amp...but you will achieve LOUD volume quickly...so I choose the PAC OEA-2 to turn down the gain on the amp.

I would start emailing these European Venders to see if one will send the SWC to the U.S.
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/461.html
Alpine Car Audio KCE-868B £77.28 Discount Car Audio UK: DVB Car Audio UK Online Entertainment Store
Car Audio Stereo Navigation Incar Entertainment
Low Cost Car Audio | Alpine KCE-868B *KCE868B - Interface for Mercedes
RaceXshop : Car Parts Catagories


It goes on and on if you google Alpine KCE-868B..I'm sure you can find someone to send it over.

Jim

 

Well I just found a problem...how in the hell do you adjust the clock in the cluster without Command?

 

I don't know of anyway to do it w/o the command,the s wheel controls only 12hr or 24hr I had the same problem when the time changed u have to go to svc in command. I have a 430 wo command u use the s wheel for setting your system looks good.

 

Thanks for the reply, now I know I'm not searching for something that isn't there. I wonder if the dealer can program my cluster for a non Command setup. It also show's NAV and Tel...which goes through the Alpine now. I wouldn't mind getting rid of those as well.

Jim

 

Hi Tac, looks very nice indeed.

Very nice to hear that the sterringwheel controls are fully functional! I presume that the in-cluster NAV doesnt work with the Alpine and the Alpine Navigation module installed?


Rumpel

 

All communication between the head unit and the cluster are gone. Radio/tel/nav..



As far as my clock problem, solved for now with a battery disconnect at midnight...

Jim

 

thats a clean set up! I wanted to know if theres anyway I can get that set up in mine, but I don't have a navi already in my car. I would probably have to cut out what I have already and shift around my heater control and what not, or buy a new trim for the middle??

Anyone run into this before?

Another question, what kind of speakers did you put in and what sizes were they? I know the front are 5 1/4, but what are the rears (by the headrests)

 

You should buy a new trim peace...it's metal under the wood, cutting it and making it look good is will be a pretty hard. I have the factory bose speakers hooked up. I removed the two speakers on the rear deck....I have some JL audio 10w7's in the trunk

 

What are your Pros and Cons about the unit so far? More importantly, how do you like the navigation unit? Is it accurate, etc.

 

Pros...Alpine ipod interface simply the best! Bluetooth phone that will download my Blackberry phonebook. DVD Movies, The nav compared to command, I'll just say you can't compare a CD based Nav system with anything today..it's simply outdated. Steering wheel controls. I think it cleaned up my car...Command had way to many buttons. Cons: Cluster..tel/nav/audio...lost it all. Those are the only cons I've found so far...

Jim

 

Clock Reset

I had this same problem when I replaced the Command with a AVIC-D3.

Once you delete the Command you lose the ability to change the clock from the steering wheel inputs. However, you can take it in to the dealer and have them adjust the programming to allow steering wheel clock adjust rather than adjustment from the Command unit. Took ~10 minutes once a proper tech got the programmer out.

And, it prevents having to stay up until midnight everytime we go on/off daylight savings.

 

It seems like a dealer should be able to remove the tel and nav entries from the cluster menu. Not every car came with these from the factory, so there must be a way to disable them.

 

Hi
First time Mercedes owner, and loving the new found experience. Been a Porsche, Audi and BMW owner in the past and have recently purchased a 2002 E55 AMG (Jap spec) and a 2002 ML320 (for the wife!). So well and trully converted now

Want to upgrade the stereo to something along the lines of the above but living in Dubai my experience of the installers is average. So hoping this forum can help me answer my two immediate questions:

- Can I install the IVA-W205 (Yellow Hat here offer the IVA-W202 or IVA-D105) to the electrics in the AMG bearing in mind its a Japanese spec (ie any pointers for differences to the job in the thread?) - want iPod, Navi, DVD etc preferably
- Does anyone know some outstanding installers in Dubai who could take my job on?

Thanking everyone in advance and what a great forum - and great car!!!

Cheers

 

I do not have command, and when i replaced my factory head unit the steering wheel clock controls still work fine. I agree with the previous poster, have the dealer electronically "uninstall" your command and you will regain this standard steering wheel functionality.

 

I have a few questions and could really use your help!
Im looking to do something similar but want to make it look as nice as this
so here they are!
1. Did you have the stock navigation system before you did this?
2. Did you use any sort of dash kit?
3. I dont have the stock navigation system so if i buy the dash kit for a dash with navigation, and throw in an aftermarket, will that work?
4. Whats all this command stuff? I have a 99 and dont think i have that feature...

I would really appreciate help!! thanks guys!

 

1 & 4. I had the stock Command which is MB version of Nav, it's a double din CD based unit.
2. Since I had Command I had a double din opening, no dash kit was required, if you don't have command you'll need a command faceplate and plastic cage.
4. Yes it will work, everything is here in the forums, do a search..you'll get all the pinouts ect...

 

hi there, i know this is an old thread, i also trying to do this conversion. where did you buy the 2 din center replacement. can you tell me where i can buy one. mine is european version with 2 knob for the a/c unit.

 

My car was a command car..command is a double din head unit. If i was in your shoes, I would move the heater controls to the bottom and put in a single din nav in the car. Having the nav on top is pretty nice..it would cover some of your buttons though

 

my one only could put in street name,post code,door no.all no working at all,no idea why,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,