Installation of APS 50 in a 2003 W211 E320 CDi

[jamesshipway]

I currently have a W211 E320 CDI which has the the Audio 20 Cassette with the 6 CD multi change installed. I am interested in seeing what the upgrade options are to get a mercedes sat nav system installed. I've had a look on the forums here and searched the web but can't quite figure out what is compatible without a major installation. As I understand I could do the following:

- Install APS-50 by just swapping the head unit and installing and sat-nav aerial
- Install standard command - this would need a separate navigation unit in the boot (bit of a big job for me!)
- Install the latest command (NTG 2.5) where I would have to just swap the head unit and install the sat nav aerial

Am I correct in my assumptions? I am not that bothered about TMC but would like to know how difficult it is to install a sat-nav aerial and if any additional wiring is needed???

Thanks in advance for all of your advice and guidance.

 

[Diesel Benz]

I currently have a W211 E320 CDI which has the the Audio 20 Cassette with the 6 CD multi change installed. I am interested in seeing what the upgrade options are to get a mercedes sat nav system installed. I've had a look on the forums here and searched the web but can't quite figure out what is compatible without a major installation. As I understand I could do the following:

- Install APS-50 by just swapping the head unit and installing and sat-nav aerial
- Install standard command - this would need a separate navigation unit in the boot (bit of a big job for me!)
- Install the latest command (NTG 2.5) where I would have to just swap the head unit and install the sat nav aerial

Am I correct in my assumptions? I am not that bothered about TMC but would like to know how difficult it is to install a sat-nav aerial and if any additional wiring is needed???

Thanks in advance for all of your advice and guidance.

Installation of the navi processor to the boot may not be too much for you at all.

But the NTG2.5 isn't as simple for your car because of the Audio 20 CC, you would have an AGW at the trunk and the NTG2.5 would have radio antenna and speaker connectors etc. at the front while those currently are at the AGW at the trunk on your car. There is a wiring harness available though (not from MB).

 

[richard]

As diesel benz says, navi processor install is quite easy

Look at your boot left hand trim - if its basically flat with a door about 20cm x 20cm then you have the correct boot carpet & brackets for the nav processor (because you have other options such as parktronic than needed the brakcets) - otherwise you need those bits (about £150 worth)
Then you need the nav drive, map disk, the fibre loom and the power loom and a GPS antenna
- the power loom plugs into the back of the fuse box, (coded connector 2 or 3 up from the bottom on the edge nearest the nav processor bracket). The antenna goes under the rear shelf, so also easy. Most difficult (but still trivial) is the fibre loom which involves taking apart the connector into the AGW (above the nav processor between the inner and outer wing), and looping the fibre into it. And you have to cut a slot out of the carpet (behind the door) for the nav processor to poke through
- The head unit is just a direct swop
- Ideally you should swop the AGW for a dual tuner one to make TMC work

Alfie will do all of this for you !

Richard

 

[verytalldave]

Not bothered about TMC .......... ? ? ? ...... NOT BOTHERED ?

Thats a VERY useful feature and I would argue strongly in its favour. My COMAND has a TMC enabled disk and when used in conjunction with dynamic route control gives you a powerful tool in avoiding hold-ups and traffic delays. Can easily save you hours in wasted time - even on short journeys.

 

[jamesshipway]

Thanks to everyone who have provided lots of useful information for me. If I understand it then for whatever option I go for then I will still need to install the Navi Processor in the boot? I was hoping I could get away without doing this with the APS 50 as I was going to buy this one on ebay :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-APS-50-NAVIGATION-SYSTEM-for-W211_W0QQitemZ200334886297QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioTVElectronics_GPSSystems_GPSSystems?hash=item200334886297&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

which says it is a sell contained system. Good job I checked with you guys before I put a bid in! Thanks.

 

[Diesel Benz]

Thanks to everyone who have provided lots of useful information for me. If I understand it then for whatever option I go for then I will still need to install the Navi Processor in the boot? I was hoping I could get away without doing this with the APS 50 as I was going to buy this one on ebay :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-APS-50-NAVIGATION-SYSTEM-for-W211_W0QQitemZ200334886297QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioTVElectronics_GPSSystems_GPSSystems?hash=item200334886297&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

which says it is a sell contained system. Good job I checked with you guys before I put a bid in! Thanks.

No, Audio 50 APS would have the navi processor, no need for the navi processor at the trunk with that option.

 

[jamesshipway]

Thanks Diesel Benz - so is it just a matter of swapping the units over then in my situation? Any additional parts or STAR coding required so that it would work correctly?

Thanks

 

[richard]

Thanks Diesel Benz - so is it just a matter of swapping the units over then in my situation? Any additional parts or STAR coding required so that it would work correctly?

Thanks

Just Star coding, a map disk & a GPS antenna/lead - I'd always buy the proper Mercedes one, and put it under the dash out of sight, looking up through the dash plastics and window (GPS signal goes through glass and plastic but not metal)

The coding is needed to make the cluster display show navigation instructions, and probably wont be needed to make the unit itself work - just for the nav instructions.

Richard

 

[jamesshipway]

Thanks Richard - looks relatively straight forward. Thanks for all of the advice. It's much appreciated.

 

[jamesshipway]

Sorry - just another question... Would the CD changer still work?? Thanks

 

[Diesel Benz]

Sorry - just another question... Would the CD changer still work?? Thanks

Yes with the Audio 50 APS, it would not work with the NTG2.5 Comand.