[stenny]

i am having issues with wiring a radio and gps unit in my 99 ml430 it has a factory amp and sub and bose system!!! i have never installed a aftermarket radio in a car with bose so help please!!

 

[RJV]

You need to describe exactly what you are starting with and what you want to achieve - from your post nobody can tell if you wish to keep the Bose amp and sub or not, and whether your radio is OEM or aftermarket and whether the radio audio outputs are line level, speaker level or both ..... and the advice given would be quite different. Furthermore, is your GPS integrated into the new radio or not (a radio and GPS brand/model number would help)? I am assuming its a combined aftermarket.

If you want to keep your Bose amp and Bose sub and its an analogue amp (likely, if its original to your 1999 car) this should be possible. You will need to connect the radio speaker level outputs to the audio inputs of the Bose amp.

However if your Bose amp is a fibre optic model (unlikely) you won't be able to use it with your aftermarket radio. With some clever wiring you may be able to use the Bose sub.

So, bottom line is - more information required.

Meanwhile, study the attached.

 

[stenny]

Sorry for the confusion! I don't know if it's fiber optic or not! Car now has tape deck and cd changer but my cd charger and tape part of radio is broken so I just got a GPS DVD cd radio it's kenwood dnx5140. I would like to use factory Bose sub and interior speakers and amp if possible!

 

[stenny]

Radio in car now is stock and so is amp the whole car is stock

 

[RJV]

OK.

Sounds like you have a faulty tape unit in your Audio 10 CC head. I think I'm correct in saying this Audio 10 CC unit gets its audio signal from the CD changer via fibre optic cable, so if you remove this head unit to install the Kenwood you will lose the use of your CD stacker (probably not a problem as your Kenwood plays CDs and DVDs and mp3 etc.)

You will need a set of removal keys to take the head unit out. I suggest you get these and remove the head and take a look at the back of the head unit to confirm what wiring is there. I expect there will be fibre optic (a pair of thin orange "tubes") but this will likely go to the CD stacker only. Hopefully this will also show that you have a set of 8 wires from the B connector which will be going to the Bose amp which will confirm that your amp is analogue and can be re-used with the Kenwood. If these 8 wires are absent, then it tells us that your amp is fibre optic (unlikely) and cannot be used with the Kenwood.

With the head unit out you can also check the fit of the Kenwood. Note that the dash cut-out is not an exact double DIN, so your Kenwood may need an adaptor chassis and/or you may need to modify the dash panel.

The above attachment is relevant - so study it (no fibre optics shown on this - wiring only).

You may also benefit from reading the following. I removed a non fibre-optic Bose amp and sub from an ML430 to install in an ML350, so some of the comments/info are relevant.

Incidentally, your car speakers are an impedance match to your Bose amp (2 ohms, not 4 ohms). If you do have to lose the amp, then your existing speakers are probably a poor match to your new Kenwood head.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163-m-class/1751849-instal-comand-2-0-bose-system.html#post6156489

 

[dustindustrial]

That DNX5140 looks pretty similar to the DDX470 I recently installed in my 98 ML320. I kept the factory Bose amp and speakers and am very happy with the sound. I have the analogue amp and needed a wiring harness like the one pictured below so I could run the RCA pre-outs to the amp. Before wiring it up myself, I did have it installed at a shop, and they wired it up using the speaker outs. It was very loud at low volumes and I had a constant hiss. It sounds great using the pre-outs on the back. The rest of the wires will match right up color wise, to the wires on your Kenwood wiring harness. It fits nice and snug in the dash.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321049703953?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[CGL]

Nice to see that you've ran away with providing sound/stereo support. Keep it up, R-to-the-J-to-the-V!

 

[RJV]

Nice to see that you've ran away with providing sound/stereo support. Keep it up, R-to-the-J-to-the-V!

Yep. While its all still fresh in mind, may as well impart the knowledge!

I've just purchased a 2001 ML55 AMG overnight and my guess is that it also has Comand 2.0 and Bose amp and sub.

 

[CGL]

Yep. While its all still fresh in mind, may as well impart the knowledge!

I've just purchased a 2001 ML55 AMG overnight and my guess is that it also has Comand 2.0 and Bose amp and sub.

Some deja vu's are pretty fun!

 

[johnma]

Anyone have the factory bose amp dimension?. I am trying to find a 5 channel amp that fits into the same slot/space.

Thanks.

 

[RJV]

Anyone have the factory bose amp dimension?. I am trying to find a 5 channel amp that fits into the same slot/space.

Thanks.

I don't have the exact dimensions, but I would be pretty confident in saying its about 7 inches x 4.5 inches x 1.5 inches. It's mounted flat on the firewall, so no "slot" to speak of. There's a bit of extra space up there after you remove the bracket holding the Bose amp, so within reason, dimensions of the new amp are not that critical.

 

[MrPid]

I replaced my stock non MCS radio last year with a single DIN unit in ou 1999. I had to use a wiring adapter and a 4 channel pad to not over drive the amp. The amp and speakers are stock.

 

[johnma]

MCS final gave up on me after 10 years. Time to move on and replace the entire system with new headunit AVIC and Amp.

I have my eye on this amp and trying to figure out if it can fit in the bose amp slot.

JVC KS-AX3205D
Dimensions: 13-7/16"W x 7-5/16"D x 2-1/8"H

 

[CGL]

MCS final gave up on me after 10 years. Time to move on and replace the entire system with new headunit AVIC and Amp.

I have my eye on this amp and trying to figure out if it can fit in the bose amp slot.

JVC KS-AX3205D
Dimensions: 13-7/16"W x 7-5/16"D x 2-1/8"H

That amp will not fit unless you clear some room (but what room?).

I choose a Rockford Fosgate mini 4-channel 300w RMS and never looked back. Fits perfectly and sounds great.
PBR300X4 Rockford Fosgate Punch 4 CH Amp 600W Max Speakers Tweeters Amplifier 780687333102 | eBay

6-3/4 L x 4-1/4 W x 1-1/2 H

 

[art_arev]

MCS final gave up on me after 10 years. Time to move on and replace the entire system with new headunit AVIC and Amp.

I have my eye on this amp and trying to figure out if it can fit in the bose amp slot.

JVC KS-AX3205D
Dimensions: 13-7/16"W x 7-5/16"D x 2-1/8"H

That wont fit. I've got the same amp sitting at home. Look for something smaller.

But why on earth are you changing the bose amp??????? Get the adapter from the posts above and a new head unit........ The bose is a very nice small but Big enough amp. If you want a Bigger sound install a separate subwoofer with an amp.....

 

[johnma]

2004/ML has optical connectors. I am removing both amp and head unit. Would be helpful if I can get the dimension, or I am just going to remove the amp and measure.
JM

 

[art_arev]

Oh, sorry ,I thought you were the OP. RJV & CGL have given you an approximate dimensions. If you want an exact figure I am afraid you will have to remove the amp yourself.

 

[RJV]

2004/ML has optical connectors. I am removing both amp and head unit. Would be helpful if I can get the dimension, or I am just going to remove the amp and measure.
JM

It's a 10 minute job to remove, measure and reinstall. And then you can see first hand how much bigger you can go.

 

[CGL]

2004/ML has optical connectors. I am removing both amp and head unit. Would be helpful if I can get the dimension, or I am just going to remove the amp and measure.
JM

Trust me, the largest small-form-factor multi channel amp is that Rockford Fosgate mini amp in the link I provided in my previous comment. I replaced the entire Bose system with aftermarket and ran into the same situation. I measured the Bose amp and found that the Rockford Fosgate fits perfectly with some wiggle room.

 

[RJV]

That amp will not fit unless you clear some room (but what room?).

I choose a Rockford Fosgate mini 4-channel 300w RMS and never looked back. Fits perfectly and sounds great.
PBR300X4 Rockford Fosgate Punch 4 CH Amp 600W Max Speakers Tweeters Amplifier 780687333102 | eBay

6-3/4 L x 4-1/4 W x 1-1/2 H

I'm chuffed ! I never measured, but I guessed 7 x 4.5 x 1.5, and I was very close ! :thumbsup: