CLK280: Is it worth upgrading head unit to NTG2?

[Mertz33]

Mine has the stock Radio CD head unit, I don't have the CD changer unit or an Aux input so pretty limited.

But is it worth fitting a NTG2 Comand unit with navigation given that I won't be using the satnav? (maps most likely old and you can't have an audio CD + navigation at the same time, correct?)

Any benefits I am not seeing? potential Aux input?

 

[AltonAnt]

I wouldn't bother with the COMAND update tbh as it is just too old.
There are vehicle specific android units that offer so much more functionality and sound as good as the standard audio 10/20 or COMAND units IMO.

Example - 7" Android 9.0 Car Stereo Navi DAB+ WiFi Mercedes Benz C/CLC/CLK-Class W203 W209 | eBay

Do some research though. I can recommend the Erisin brand and the specs you want as in the one above is an 8 core CPU, 4Gb ram and 32Gb rom.

 

[Eddy77]

AltonAnt is correct. I have a 2008 CLK350 with the COMAND etc and it is atrocious. Really out of date. Don't waste your money - if you want an up to date integrated solution, go with one of the aftermarket eBay jobs and have it fitted. Or leave it as it is, and use your phone for navigation and accept the audio for what it is (this is what I do - Waze for navigation).

 

[Mertz33]

Thanks both - I did consider that, obviously an up-to-date android system means better connectivity, better navigation etc.
However every person I met and had one of these Chinese units complained about the build quality but more concerning the sound quality something like a weak sound? That came from more than 3 sources so I abandoned the idea of an after-market unit
(also it seemed tedious having to do the wiring, additional antennas and some even had reverse camera which I had no idea how to install).

If that's the case with the Comand units, I might just stick to the one I have..

 

[Chrishazle]

As you're in London a trip to M3 J3 Lightwater (they're about 1 1/2 miles from J3) and unique car sounds / comand.co.uk should be easy for you, they know more about MB ICE than MB so really know their stuf re comand but also do Alpine etc stuff (no cheapo Chinese stuff!).

 

[Eddy77]

I think that on a clk (which has limited value these days) it’s going to be an expensive piece of work at command in Woking. I can’t imagine much change from £800-£1k all in. Which is a lot on an older Mercedes...

 

[AltonAnt]

Thanks both - I did consider that, obviously an up-to-date android system means better connectivity, better navigation etc.
However every person I met and had one of these Chinese units complained about the build quality but more concerning the sound quality something like a weak sound? That came from more than 3 sources so I abandoned the idea of an after-market unit
(also it seemed tedious having to do the wiring, additional antennas and some even had reverse camera which I had no idea how to install).

If that's the case with the Comand units, I might just stick to the one I have..

For my 203 it was plug and play. All adapter cables are supplied and the units have canbus decoders for steering wheel control.
The sound quality was as good if not better than the Oem unit. So much so that I only noticed how bad the standard speakers are and replaced those too.

 

[Mertz33]

Yes but the OEM speakers have a special mount no? what did you replaced them with?

>> also is it true that the NTG2 unit only works if the CD changer is also intalled?? (I thought all I need to add is the GPS antenna with a Fakra connector and should be good to go? is the changer unit required?)

 

[AltonAnt]

Yes but the OEM speakers have a special mount no? what did you replaced them with?

>> also is it true that the NTG2 unit only works if the CD changer is also intalled?? (I thought all I need to add is the GPS antenna with a Fakra connector and should be good to go? is the changer unit required?)

You can buy replacement mounts but they are often flimsy plastic so I used some MDF about 1cm thick.
Speakers were focal component AS165.

 

[Mertz33]

That does look good!
And excellent choice with Focal, I will look into it - did you need crossovers? and are front/rear speakers the same size (what size?)

Cheers

 

[AltonAnt]

That does look good!
And excellent choice with Focal, I will look into it - did you need crossovers? and are front/rear speakers the same size (what size?)

Cheers

The ones I mentioned are 165mm and two way with supplied crossover.
I didn't fit the tweeters in the rear.

 

[AltonAnt]

Tweeter were the most noticeable upgrade for me as the originals were either broke or just really poor.

 

[Mertz33]

Looks great, did you make the mounting adapters (do you happen to have the cutout template for the mounting ears)?

And is the rear speaker using the same mount as the front one (I thought they were even different sizes, the rear one being smaller and actually firing toward the seat)?

Cheers

The ones I mentioned are 165mm and two way with supplied crossover.
I didn't fit the tweeters in the rear.

 

[AltonAnt]

In the 203 they are the same size. I used the original speaker as the template and cut the hole to fit the speaker.

 

[Mertz33]

In the 203 they are the same size. I used the original speaker as the template and cut the hole to fit the speaker.

Sounds good -

Found an Erisin head unit as recomended and was thinking about adding a reverse camera but will be a ballache to wire so what about wireless transmitters?

 

[Alfie]

In our experience the Chinese units really are poor quality. We have removed lots for customers who have had them and hated them. The build is not as good as say an Alpine or Pioneer unit and they often don’t deliver all they promise. They look awful as well.

The best upgrade you can do to the car is to change the speakers for some decent ones and sound deaden the doors. In the CLK the fronts are 6.5” components. The rears in the far end of the door are 5.25” coaxials. You can buy some adapters to fit them, very cheaply.

 

[AltonAnt]

Sounds good -

Found an Erisin head unit as recomended and was thinking about adding a reverse camera but will be a ballache to wire so what about wireless transmitters?

I used a cable and it was fairly easy to run it down the door sill to the boot.I think I'm right in that it is only one cable with power also being sent over it.

In our experience the Chinese units really are poor quality.

I'm fairly sure there is very little difference hardware wise between a decent Chinese head unit and a similar model branded unit. There is no 'magic' here and anyone with a basic electronics knowledge will understand that most devices are made with similar components, often identical in some cases. Gone are the days of audio specific devices so let's not kid ourselves that head units are nothing more than a 'computer' like device today that are as reliant on software as hardware.

What you pay the branded units prices for is software tailored to their hardware. This is both a pro and a con. A pro in that to start with it is generally better at getting the most out of the hardware and a con in that you are at the mercy of the vendor to provide an update when Waze updates their service for example.

@Alfie - There are some units that are better built than others granted and when you do find a decent quality unit then the Android install is often not optimised but a few software updates changes this significantly.

In my experience (which is admittedly not as extensive) is that an Android unit with a suitable ROM, a patched MCU for audio and running Viper4Android will not only sound good, better than a standard Mercedes unit at the very least but is also so much more customisable and you have a dedicated community of experts constantly providing free software updates.
I understand that this is not for everyone and not good business when it is easier to just fit a new unit for the paying customer.

Regarding looks - Would I want a unit similar to the OEM of a flashy slab of glass?

 

[24carrot]

Hi can you tell me how hard it is it fit a aftermarket unit please

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[AltonAnt]

Hi can you tell me how hard it is it fit a aftermarket unit please

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This should give you some idea.

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[DSM10000]

Hi can you tell me how hard it is it fit a aftermarket unit please

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

The answer is the same as to the question "how long is a piece of string"

A better formulated question including car model you intend to work on, head unit you wish to install, your level of knowledge about a car's electrical systems, CAN BUS electronics, trim removal etc might help.

Some after market systems will have the correct wiring harness etc, some may not, some will seamlessly work with your steering wheel controls, some may not.

Take some advice form a local ICE expert. Fitting costs are going to be a relatively small amount of the overall cost so best to leave it to someone with specialist knowledge and skills. Getting an install wrong can cause havoc with modern car electrical systems as well as the safety aspects of incorrect wiring.