E220 w212 convertible stereo

[Hiettd]

hi I’m wondering if someone can help I’ve just brought a 2011 e212 convertible but it seems to have a really basic stereo no sat nav I want to upgrade this to either a merc 1 with sat nav or an aftermarket new system but I can’t seem to get anywhere with it . Been to road radio and they can’t get a fitting kit as all convertibles and coupes seem to be different to saloons. I’m at a real loss and don’t know what to do ?
Please tell me what I do surly there is a way of having a better radio than the 1 that’s fitted ?

 

[400ixl]

Your E Class convertible is on the W207 platform, not the 212 as it is built on a C class chassis and the exact designate is A207.

Some of us have gone for the 10.25" Android unit which overlays the existing (and very poor) Mercedes OEM system, providing all of the features the car should have had. This leaves the stereo unit as is and replaces the screen with a much larger and more functioning system. Some have also gone with the smaller 9" one which still fits in the recess but further back to reach the touch screen (it does still work with the wheel as well though).

Upgrading the OEM system to the latest version is well over £1k to do. The Android option is about half of that.

Below is mine:

 

[Hiettd]

That looks amazing and exactly what I’m looking for who can I buy it from and fit it ?

 

[400ixl]

I got mine from a guy in Sweden (Chris @ ckmcardesign.com), but was an early adopter, so there are more places selling them now and probably some even fitting them.

They are not too hard to fit in the W207's, just a bit of trim removal and stereo to get to the back of it to install the wiring harness. Its all plug and play. There is quite a support network built up on the MB World forums as well.

You can get them on ebay, Aliexoress from China or other places. Carlife-mall, offer your car better solutions seem to be the source where most of them actually come from and they do the the actual firmware on them, so might be a good option now to get them from or find a recommended partner in the UK for them.

You just need to know what version you have (NGT 4, NGT 4.x, NGT 5) and select the RHD version to get the correct fitting kit and mounting. Many supply the fitting adapters for all models of stereo.

 

[Benzmanc]

I bought an NTG 4 on ebay and then got the fitting kit from comand.co.uk when i had my E class. Never had a problem, it fitted plug and play but you do need to get the screen and surround as well because the basic one is smaller

one here and the fitting kit from comand includes the screen surround

Mercedes E class 2011 command unit SAT NAV A2129006905 Display ScreenA21290049 | eBay

Don't worry about the switch panel at the bottom as it unscrews to fit your own if it's different

 

[400ixl]

You are still then stuck with the very old fashioned Mercedes system with the cost of map updates etc. You also need the fans if that is not in the fitting kits as unlikely a non Comand system currently fitted will have them and it will cook without them. So potentially another couple of hundred quid on top and you are near enough at the price of a fully functioning system which has more features than even the W213's have.

And make sure it is for a W207 not a W212,

Just throwing more money at an equally bad system IMO. but is an option, especially if OEM is important.

 

[Hiettd]

You are still then stuck with the very old fashioned Mercedes system with the cost of map updates etc. You also need the fans if that is not in the fitting kits as unlikely a non Comand system currently fitted will have them and it will cook without them. So potentially another couple of hundred quid on top and you are near enough at the price of a fully functioning system which has more features than even the W213's have.

And make sure it is for a W207 not a W212,

Just throwing more money at an equally bad system IMO. but is an option, especially if OEM is important.

 

[Hiettd]

These are all great ideas but I really don’t have any know how on how to put these units in. To be fair I want to go somewhere obviously not MERCEDES have a system fitted pay for it and drive home. I don’t mind taking a day and traveling somewhere to get it done I just really don’t know where or who could do it.

 

[Benzmanc]

The fitting kit includes the fans and full instructions. The one i fitted to my A207 was from a W212 which went in without any issues.

speak to comand.co.uk they're in Lightwater Surrey and are forum sponsors, it was them that put me on to an ebay seller for the system i purchased

Mercedes Retrofit Specialist - Comand.co.uk

 

[Hiettd]

The fitting kit includes the fans and full instructions. The one i fitted to my A207 was from a W212 which went in without any issues.

speak to comand.co.uk they're in Lightwater Surrey and are forum sponsors, it was them that put me on to an ebay seller for the system i purchased

Mercedes Retrofit Specialist - Comand.co.uk

 

[Hiettd]

That’s great will bell them Tuesday do I need a new aerial ?

 

[400ixl]

To start with, what stereo do you have? If it is Audio 20, do you have the holder in the glovebox for the Becker unit? These can be bought for well under the cost of a Comand replacement and are plug and play.

If you have the Audio 50 or Comand then I would at the very least be looking at the 2012- NGT4.x unit, but more likely at the NGT5.1 to at least get something that could be considered to be 20th century. Even then Comand is shockingly bad and basic in comparison to the Android solution.

You can also get a 9.3" Android unit which fits in the same recess as the OEM screen if you want to keep the OEM look.

If you do get an OEM Comand unit from a W212 then as a minimum you will need a screen surround for the W207 as these are not a cross over like the main unit and screen.

 

[Benzmanc]

I've already said that the fitting kit comes with the screen surround.

Another advantage of oem is that Linguatronic will start to work with the button on the steering wheel.

 

[Benzmanc]

That’s great will bell them Tuesday do I need a new aerial ?

You will only need a sat nav antenna, these are not in the fitting kit. I purchased a generic one from ebay but it must have the right angle Fakra connector, if you can't find one then an adapter is available

 

[Hiettd]

I have found the jack connection and got an aux lead connected from car to iPhone but how do I switch the source to play the music from phone ? There is only buttons for cd or radio

 

[MercedesDriver]

I have found the jack connection and got an aux lead connected from car to iPhone but how do I switch the source to play the music from phone ? There is only buttons for cd or radio

When in cd mode, with comand knob (on central console) you can move down to Media(like with joystick), press comand knob and new drop-down list will show. Rotating the knob go to AUX, press knob and you’ll be in AUX mode.

 

[Hiettd]

When in cd mode, with comand knob (on central console) you can move down to Media(like with joystick), press comand knob and new drop-down list will show. Rotating the knob go to AUX, press knob and you’ll be in AUX mode.

Great I will try in morn
I love the car had 2 weeks now but only thing let’s it down is basic basic stereo with no hope of changing unless I want a £1500 bill

 

[MercedesDriver]

This is how it should look like
CD screen:

This is the knob for navigating through the screen:

Drop down list:

Aux screen:

 

[Hiettd]

Thanks so much that’s great will try it tomorrow morning and let you know how I get on

 

[Hiettd]

Your E Class convertible is on the W207 platform, not the 212 as it is built on a C class chassis and the exact designate is A207.

Some of us have gone for the 10.25" Android unit which overlays the existing (and very poor) Mercedes OEM system, providing all of the features the car should have had. This leaves the stereo unit as is and replaces the screen with a much larger and more functioning system. Some have also gone with the smaller 9" one which still fits in the recess but further back to reach the touch screen (it does still work with the wheel as well though).

Upgrading the OEM system to the latest version is well over £1k to do. The Android option is about half of that.

Below is mine:

Hi I’ve been in touch with the people in China about the android set up and they can send to me. They say it comes as kit with everything in it that I need. Was yours easy to fit or do you know anyone who would fit for me? I’m willing to travel ? This is the link he’s sent me as what I need
https://www.dmpcardesign.com/merced...sg_type_pg=latest&sort=p.sort_order&order=ASC