Installing SatNav, iPod, TV, DVD and Bluetooth in a C180K

[mully99]

Hey guys.

I relatively new here ad inexperienced as hell, so cut me some slack. lol. I'm 22 and just bought a 2005 W203 C180K Coupe (post Facelift).

I have the standard Audio-20 stereo fitted at the moment. Basically I want to fit the full W203 Comand APS SatNav unit, that I will buy on ebay. As I know that most of the console has to be taken out, i think its best to fit the other parts of the system that I wanted to add at the same time, so i can do it in one go.

I wanna have a digital TV tuner fitted, DVD player, bluetooth (for my phone) and iPod, all to the Comand unit. For the iPod, i was thinking Denison Gateway 500 (have heard god things). But what do other people think. And can anyone tell me the parts that i will need to do this.

Will continually post pics and updates to let you know how it goes, and maybe help some other people in the same situation. Thanks guys

 

[sunman]

The w203 comand APS is a straight forward swap as long as you have a basic radio installed in the car. MAke sure you code the comand correctly at the dealer for fiberoptic options or it will not work correctly. Depending on how many options you have currently in your car, you may require the fiber optic cables also for tv tuner, bluetooth. There is no factory dvd player available. You have to attach it to the tuner. Dension is pretty good for ipod or you can go with a factory kit.

 

[Alfie]

Hey guys.

I relatively new here ad inexperienced as hell, so cut me some slack. lol. I'm 22 and just bought a 2005 W203 C180K Coupe (post Facelift).

I have the standard Audio-20 stereo fitted at the moment. Basically I want to fit the full W203 Comand APS SatNav unit, that I will buy on ebay. As I know that most of the console has to be taken out, i think its best to fit the other parts of the system that I wanted to add at the same time, so i can do it in one go.

I wanna have a digital TV tuner fitted, DVD player, bluetooth (for my phone) and iPod, all to the Comand unit. For the iPod, i was thinking Denison Gateway 500 (have heard god things). But what do other people think. And can anyone tell me the parts that i will need to do this.

Will continually post pics and updates to let you know how it goes, and maybe help some other people in the same situation. Thanks guys

Here is what I would do;

Factory Comand
Factory phone pre-wire UHI - works with comand and cluster/steering wheel controls.
Factory Ipod connection - works with comand and cluster/steering wheel controls.

This will make the car look and feel like it had these options from new.

 

[mully99]

Some good feedback. Thanks Alfie, however one reason i was considering the Denison system instead of the MB AuxIN M.O.S.T. system, was the fact that the Gateway 500 allows the use of the Video from the video iPod, unlike the MB fit. But i totally understand, and i do want the whole retrofit to look like it was always there anyway. Also the Denison is tailored to the MB, so that the steering controls and Comand system recognise it.

Could I maybe use a standard DVD player? Not sure what kind of attatchments there are on the back of the Comand APS system for this though?

I understand that the MB iPod fit, would take away the CD use. Is it not possible to have the two co-existing, and then where does the Navigation disc go? Also, what is needed to fit the GPS antenna?

I thought it might be a nice idea to fit the arm of the standard phone cradle, and attach a holder for the ipod. As hopefully the phone would be bluetooth. With the BT MB part though, are there only certain phones that can be used?

So many questions I know, but i hope the end result is worth it!

 

[Alfie]

Some good feedback. Thanks Alfie, however one reason i was considering the Denison system instead of the MB AuxIN M.O.S.T. system, was the fact that the Gateway 500 allows the use of the Video from the video iPod, unlike the MB fit. But i totally understand, and i do want the whole retrofit to look like it was always there anyway. Also the Denison is tailored to the MB, so that the steering controls and Comand system recognise it.

Could I maybe use a standard DVD player? Not sure what kind of attatchments there are on the back of the Comand APS system for this though?

I understand that the MB iPod fit, would take away the CD use. Is it not possible to have the two co-existing, and then where does the Navigation disc go? Also, what is needed to fit the GPS antenna?

I thought it might be a nice idea to fit the arm of the standard phone cradle, and attach a holder for the ipod. As hopefully the phone would be bluetooth. With the BT MB part though, are there only certain phones that can be used?

So many questions I know, but i hope the end result is worth it!

Some of the W203 Comand units have the green Fakra video connector on them. Alpine are about to release a product that allows TV input to the Comand. This same product will allow DVD also.

The MB ipod kit and the CD changer can co-exist without any switching required. The Dension I believe requires a switch to hop between the two.

The MB phone cradles support a whole array of phones. Take a look at richards site (www.mercupgrades.com) for a compatibility list. The SAP cradle in particular uses the cars antenna and allows text messaging on the comand!

The navigation disk sits in the head unit. Once a route is programmed in, the disk can be removed. the GPS antenna is easy to fit. It simply plugs into the blue fakra on the back of the comand and can be sited under the dash next to the air vents. so long as it can see up through the plastic dash and the glass it will work fine.

 

[mully99]

Good stuff Alfie. But does this mean not all Comand APS systems are able to attach a TV. Or do i just need to add the Alpine product? Or maybe i can get the green fakra? How much harder is it to fit the digital tuner than a regular one, and does that mean it will have a regular tuner as well? The are i live in isnt really good for Digital TV, but hope to move soon, and that area mite be, so would rather have it, than go through this whole process again.

Might go for the MB iPod kit anyways, as at least i know its meant for the system.

Was thinking about using the SAP phone system, as it allows text messaging. And i think i knew that the Comand system alone would be the easy part of the retrofit.

 

[Alfie]

Good stuff Alfie. But does this mean not all Comand APS systems are able to attach a TV. Or do i just need to add the Alpine product? Or maybe i can get the green fakra? How much harder is it to fit the digital tuner than a regular one, and does that mean it will have a regular tuner as well? The are i live in isnt really good for Digital TV, but hope to move soon, and that area mite be, so would rather have it, than go through this whole process again.

Might go for the MB iPod kit anyways, as at least i know its meant for the system.

Was thinking about using the SAP phone system, as it allows text messaging. And i think i knew that the Comand system alone would be the easy part of the retrofit.

Yes. Some comand units do not have the green fakra video input. I'm afraid you cant add it either as the circuitry inside is missing too. digi Tv is as easy as analogue TV to fit its just the aerials/antenna that are a pain.

 

[mully99]

Ok, so i've bought the head unit (Comand APS) with the Green Fakra Video Input and the MB iPod connection.

So what do I need in cables to connect the Green Fakra input to a DVD player? Also will this then need the Star Diagnostic to be run, to get it to work?

Also decided that the phone parts are way to costly for what they do, considering I would rarely even use it in the car. Therefore the expense isn't really warranted!

Thanks for all your help guys!