Any ideas for an Audio 10 replacement?

[omega1]

Hi all,

I will be changing the Audio10 system in my C220 and am wondering what to replace it with. The main reasons for changing it are that I would like an MP3 player and a Bluetooth enabled system for the phone.

Problem is that the ones I have seen will look a bit 'odd' in the dash... So i´m wondering what other people have done?

Cheers.

P.S. Photos would be great!

 

[vijilants]

Another good reason for replacing the Audio 10 is the fact that it is rather a poor unit when it comes to sound quality

I replaced mine with an Alpine unit.

 

[omega1]

What model is it if you dont mind me asking?

 

[Swiss Toni]

Another good reason for replacing the Audio 10 is the fact that it is rather a poor unit when it comes to sound quality

I replaced mine with an Alpine unit.

Weren't Alpine one of the manufacturers of Audio10s at some point?

 

[Diesel Benz]

Weren't Alpine one of the manufacturers of Audio10s at some point?

My W210 had an Alpine Audio 10 radio.

 

[tobus10]

Radio

If you are not looking to spend a fortune try the Sony MEX-BT2500.I have used one for a year now it will do all you want and looks good in the dash,no flashing lights etc quite restrained.Is iso leads 10min job at the most.built in mike as well..Around £100ish..I fit audio and fones etc so know a little after 30 years.

 

[mxs]

Hi all,

I will be changing the Audio10 system in my C220 and am wondering what to replace it with. The main reasons for changing it are that I would like an MP3 player and a Bluetooth enabled system for the phone.

Problem is that the ones I have seen will look a bit 'odd' in the dash... So i´m wondering what other people have done?

Cheers.

P.S. Photos would be great!

Google 'double din headunits', there are loads out there with bluetooth, ipod connection, sat nav etc.., and autoleads do a double din convertor facia allowing an aftermarket unit to be fitted. I went for a Kenwood.

 

[ROBB]

here's mine:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/780309-post58.html

steering wheel controls dont work - but hopefully STAR coding change may fix that

 

[mxs]

steering wheel controls dont work - but hopefully STAR coding change may fix that

Kenwood do a steering wheel controller convertor for their units which is compatible with Mercs.

 

[fabes]

I'm in the process of doing this - waiting for Sextons to price up a full supply and fit for this head unit - though I have non Kenwood dealer also available

Kenwood Electronics UK Ltd. | Receivers > KDC-W7544U

Chose this one as it has switchable display colour (amber being the one i am after to match the OEM dispay near speedo) and, as I am having it fitted primarily for an Ipod Touch in the glove box no CD slot on display

As you want bluetooth phone, this is also one of theirs

Kenwood Electronics UK Ltd. | Receivers > KDC-BT8044U

The 7544U is around the £150 mark, but with the fascia plate, harness, Ipod lead and SWC I am hoping for around £250 fitted.

I have been told it is not merely a STAR job to get SWC, you need the kit - the kenwood one for mine is around £50 and I am including that.

I want this unit as it doesn't have a CD slot on view - as I won't be using CD's - but it does have one underneath the flip down front so that its still sellable in the car in a few years time. The Alpine media units don't have a CD slot and I think that a little limiting as any perspecitve buyer might want a CD slot.

you pays your money....

PS the Audio 10 seem to be worth 'upto' £100 on ebay to offset the cost of the new unit btw

PPS without all the station preset buttons, I think these units look little less aftermarket than some of the 'bling' head units out there.

 

[omega1]

Hi Fabes,

Great links, thanks...

As always im stuck again as I like the features of the 8044 but i want the option of changing the display colour to amber as you mention in the 7544!

Argh... so hard to choose!

 

[fabes]

Omega1

Well you can get the 7544 and then add the Bluetooth module Kenwood also offer - see the bottom of the 7544 page -(cake and eat it - albeit at a price)

I have hit a problem on the SWC - will be posting on that in a minute to see if the assembled masses can help

 

[omega1]

Fabes, yeah, thought that, but it does whack the price up a bit, may have to use the external Parrot bluetooth I have (which is a grat little unit) and get the 7544 with the OEM amber colour. Shame though, as i wanted it all in one...

will carry on thinking!

Am interested in hearing about the steering wheel controls, as i want to keep the steering volume fucntion

thanks

 

[fabes]

I have a Parrott kit for the phone which I am happy with (within budget)

SWC -

Still not resolved

 

[omega1]

what is the issue?

 

[omega1]

Hi Fabes, I'm about to buy one of these, but am holding back if the steering column controls wont work, what is the issue you are having with it?

Cheers.

 

[fabes]

The non Kenwood dealer doesn't think they/ Kenwood cracked the SWC protocols for my car, but I am looking at a unit on the Kenwood site that says they did.

I actually want tt use these guys because they repsond, listen and more than one chap there seems to know what he is doing - which is different to the Kenwood dealer (Sextons) where 'Ed' is never there, I have to chase to be told - I'm trying but am really busy - and no one else seems willing to get invoved with despite it being solely an ICE dealer

And as for the local MB guys - I'd have more luck raising the dead.

I think I am going to have to wait until Monday - track down Ed or take a leap of faith, get the main parts myself and go to the non Kenwood dealer and hope I'm right, he's wrong - hey are happy ffor me to do this and charge £35 to fit if I am right

If you can wait a few days or are able to confirm the ISO fitting on your Audio 10 connectors let me know

No one else has chipped in on this, so I will bump it - being the weekend - I might get a response - see my other thread

 

[omega1]

Have just got an email from a company saying that the 2003 model (C220 CDI W203) will not work with the Kenwood, yet the Kenwood site lists both models (uo to 2002 and after 2002) so it would appear that one of them should work...

If I have more info i'll post it, thanks for the update.

I wont be able to check the connectors for a few days at least.

¨Cheers

 

[fabes]

Which company are you emailing on this issue?

It is confusing as Kenwood site advises yes, but 'experts' are saying no

Will push Sextons on Monday for a 'final'

Has any other member successfully done what it looks like we are both looking to do here?

 

[omega1]

Hi Fabes,

A company called Dynamic sounds sent me this:

Hi there,
The fascia you will need is the Fp-23-01.Add £5.00 if tou also require a pocket. There is no steering interface available for the 03 models.The glove needs to dropped to access the removal of the original stereo.

And this link contradicts what they said:
Kenwood Electronics UK Ltd. | Steering Wheel Adaptors > Stalk Wheel Adaptor List

So i'm a bit lost with it all!