I want to upgrade my Car Radio to add navigation

[markjay]

a simple question I am unable to answer. how can I figure out which radio head unit works for my car and be empowered to select one. I have an Audio 20 CD. i want to buy a Command APS. why it is not a simple choice of providing a list of head units suitable to replace mine without rewiring or retrofitting. basic ask before going into more complex scenarios? Why do I have to go to many places including command online and unable to get an answer to such simple question? seems unnecessarely complicating things. unless I am missing something!

You are not missing anything... MB cars are all about getting the right options from the factory, because retrofitting factory options after the car left the factory isn't straightforward. The trick is to research the factory options before buying the second-hand Merc, and then looking for a car that has the options you want. But typically what owners do, is they first buy the car, then check what options it came with, and then look at retrofitting the options they want... it's doable, but it's a complicated and expensive way to go about it, as you are finding out.

 

[mustapha]

I get a head unit including display screen from someone I trust. a2189003607. just wondering if it fits my car to replace my factory w212 audio 20 in my E250 2010 model?

 

[mustapha]

attached screenshot of the unit

 

[mustapha]

Attached is the new unit I want to install

 

[AltonAnt]

I’d be very surprised it it was a simple plug and play.
Will you have the GPS antenna connection?
Will it need to be coded?

Not straightforward imo.

 

[markjay]

A2189003607 is COMAND Online NTG5*1.

This system was fitted to the facelift W212 only in its last year of production, 2016.

I am assuming your car is a pre-facelift. I don't know if the infotainment system from the facelift W212 can be fitted to a pre-facelift W212, someone else might know.

If it can be fitted, then you will need the following:

- Security unlocking PIN - make sure that the seller provides this, without it you won't be able to use the unit (the PIN cannot be retrieved once the unit has been removed from the donor car)

- GPS Antenna - inexpensive and easy to fit under the dash.

- Various cables and adapters - www.comandonline.co.uk can supply those

- SCN Coding - this needs to be done by someone who has MB STAR with valid subscription. It tells the car that COMAND has been fitted. It also updates the central computer at MB, so that it can generate a PIN code when you next decide to update the maps (without this the maps can not be updated beyond the version currently installed on the satnav).

 

[mustapha]

Thanks Mark. very helpfull. how can I determine if my car is facelift or pre-facelift? note it is AMG body style avantgarde production november 2009 and registered 2010. Thanks

 

[mustapha]

looked at few similar shape cars online I believe mine is facelift as well. but cant tell for sure. E250 AMG Avantgarde november 2009 production 2010 registration

 

[steveskeggy]

Facelift or pre facelift, theres only one way to find out, thats to yank the old one out, and try fitting the new one.
Get a magnetic GPS antenna from Halfords (Take the head unit along to make sure you get one with the correct plug), bang it on the roof.
If it all plugs in, and it all works, then you can debate with yourself to keep a mag mount, or go with a sharks fin antenna.
Worst comes to the worst, sell the new one on ebay.
No idea what Comand online could do for you, and they are probably the best option as far as plug and play is concerned, but it looks like Icebox do two Android units for the W212, which would give you what you want, and DAB (With the add on box).
I dont own a W212, so you must use your own judgement.

Search

 

[markjay]

Your 2010 car won't be the facelift:


W212 pre-facelift (2020-2013):

W212 facelift (2013-2016):

 

[mustapha]

Thanks Jack. Clear. Thanks Steve as well. I just did that. not sure what you mean by wiring fitting. Are we talking about plug and play or cables connectivity and suggesting some reprogramming as Jacl suggested CommandLine could do? The big square kind of plug fit perfectly in the head unit. along with the few other cables except a blue one the blue one that seems different between the two units. See picture side by side.

 

[mustapha]

display screen wires different but I assume this is because I would need different wires between the new head unit and display screen vs the older one.

 

[mustapha]

see picture

 

[mustapha]

original wiring

 

[mustapha]

I just want to make sure th eunit fits if I get different wiring. as a basis. I understans the whole topic of reprogramming..... Appreciate all your time

 

[markjay]

I don't know if the units fits... as said, your car is pre-facelift, while the unit is from the facelift model. Someone else might know if it is possible to fit an infotainment unit from a facelift W212 in a pre-facelift W212.

 

[markjay]

Also, did you get with the NTG5*1 unit the security unlocking code for it? These units are matched to the car's VIN during production and can't be moved from one car to another without the unlocking code.

 

[mustapha]

spoke to my cousin he said he had it pulled from a car he had and none needed.

 

[markjay]

spoke to my cousin he said he had it pulled from a car he had and none needed.

The infotainment unit is matched to the car's VIN. The security locking code is only needed if you are trying to use the unit in a different car (with different VIN).

If he still has the donor car, he can put the unit back in, then power it up and get the unlocking code from the Engineering Menu. But the code will only show if the system is powered up in the original car.

 

[mustapha]

Will ask yet regardless of that fitness and suitability of the unit is my main question at the moment befoee I go to next steps and getting a surprise. Any answer would be appreciated. Thanks again.