A-Class W169 / B-class W245 Modifications

[miro]

This set of upgrades applies equally to A and B class. But shown here in images is the B-200T Sports Package


The patient

Interior - interesting thing to note is that the multi-contour power seat is totally self contained and has its own air pump and motors.

Console - Audio 20, UHI, CD changer

Some examples of cool cluster coding
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Date and time coding with preference switch

Content of fuel tank in litres or gallons

Run flat notification / Tyre pressure warning

Bypass GPS time (for daylight saving start changes) (only with COMAND)

Fold mirrors when car is locked (only with power folding)

Voice control setup
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Remove airbag

Remove control unit

Naked steering column

Modified with voice control - Can also ADD cruise / limit if the car doesnt have it

Control units for phone and voice live under the left seat

Sound System Upgrade
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Front door speaker (standard)

Rivets drilled out

New speaker in place

Finished with air powered rivet tool

A-pillar removed and speaker removed

Normal and replacement speakers (tweeters)

New speaker in place

Rear door speakers (standard and upgrade speaker with 2 cones)

New rear speaker in place

C-Pillars removed and space opened for amplifier installation

Amplifier installed

Main wiring harness for amplifier

New surround rear speaker right

New surround rear speaker left

Subwoofer with space saver tyre (not the normal tyre)

Front centre speaker bolted in under main air vent and parktronic display

 

[miro]

Lots of wires !

New speaker cable junction with the old main harness

Connectors can be replaced with solder joins

Two more steps. Load the fuse wire and splice the new optical into the existing ring.

COMAND and iPOD install
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Remove rear interior light to expose 7/8 inch nut holding non-GPS antenna in place.

Run cable down left side

Keep going by removing door sills and sliding cable in with existing cables. Removal of glovebox assists iPOD kit install and GPS antenna routing

Remove radio and route GPS antenna into this area. Watch for possible slack cable and rattles.

I prefer not to use the factory iPOD adaptor cable so I splice power, ground and CAN into the existing main harness (now with speaker wires missing).

Testing the cables and fit to see if the back of the COMAND is sitting well.

iPOD kit in place on the upper deck location (OEM spec) above the CD stacker. Could probably live next to the stacker on the lower level.

Sun Blinds on rear side window
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Sun blind on tinted window. Still gives extra protection.

Attachment to window is simply a matter of lifting the hooks into place and pressing the up button. When the glass is fully retracted the clips unhook themselves.

This is a short summary of some modifications which are possible. In about a week I am going to Brabus to see the car again and will take some photos of the Brabus kit and finished retrofits in place.

 

[Alfie]

Stunning. Well done.

 

[Howard]

Incredible.....

I just don't know how you have the patience and know how ......

All the work i have seen you do Miro is to the absolute highest quality , and while it is unlikely you will ever do any work for me, it is great to see the mods that you can perform....

The amount of wiring you have to keep track of is just mind-boggling !!!

Do you devise the methods and parts for the retro-fit , or do you have a list of parts that you pre order ?

Well done mate !!

 

[sym]

Very nice ... <droooooooooooooool> ... I still haven't installed that iPOD kit, but hoepfully will get it done before the next time you visit the UK !

S.

 

[miro]

Incredible.....

I just don't know how you have the patience and know how ......

All the work i have seen you do Miro is to the absolute highest quality , and while it is unlikely you will ever do any work for me, it is great to see the mods that you can perform....

The amount of wiring you have to keep track of is just mind-boggling !!!

Do you devise the methods and parts for the retro-fit , or do you have a list of parts that you pre order ?

Well done mate !!

I generally rely on having interesting clients who pose the challenge. I work closely with MBENZNL in ordering exotic options. For example voice control is not even a factory option except in Japan.

It is really great to push the car to a custom level which is probably unique among B-Class in Australia. The owner will be justified in claiming that his car is special.

 

[miro]

Very nice ... <droooooooooooooool> ... I still haven't installed that iPOD kit, but hoepfully will get it done before the next time you visit the UK !

S.

Life is too short for silence !

 

[miro]

Now with even more functions

Cornering lamps: Works with indicator and turning at low speed.

Folding mirror with control button

Bluetooth UHI

Another photo of iPOD kit in glovebox

Voice control asking for selection in navigation function

Voice control asking for selection in phone function

Voice control asking for selection in radio function

Cluster menu for changing TEMP display to SPEED

Cluster menu for MEMORY or PRESET radio search (COMAND ONLY)

Cluster menu TEMP mode

Lamp icon to show tyre is flat / low

Cluster menu for Key1 or Key2 stored preferences.

OTHER OPTIONS CODED (but not possible to photograph)

* Tunnel mode (for complete window control for dust / smoke / tunnel entry)

* Active rear lamp replacement (selects rear fog lamp if rear lamp is blown)



Thanks to Richard who contributed some of his experience to this coding.

 

[mlh381]

what size are the woofers and tweeters?

 

[julyejk]

What's the pinout for the amplifier set-up on a W203?

 

[miro]

What's the pinout for the amplifier set-up on a W203?

Just dismantle the door panels and radio / amplifier and then do a test for each pin.

You have to unplug all speakers.