ML270 COMAND 2 upgrade/replacement options

[Gollom]

Hopefully going to pick up a MY2004 W163 on Thursday. From the VIN decoder I can see it has 352 COMAND, 819 CD CHANGER and 354 ANTENNA FOR TELEPHONE D/E NET.

I have established the SatNav (if indeed it has the map CD!) is only 5 digit postcode, the CD-changer will play MP3 and I do not have any option as standard for hands-free phone. Could somebody let me know if I am wrong on these?

Few questions please:

• Will a FisconPro work on this COMAND setup to give me hands-free?
• What are my upgrade options from COMAND 2, in particular full postcode?
• What is a cost effective 3rd party option to give me SatNav, hands-free and MP3 capability? (looking at the price FisconPro units fetch on ebay, guessing I could fund from the sale of it!)

Any other comments more than welcome

Ta!

 

[richard]

I'd put an Alpine double DIN unit in there. Its even got the same HRS GPS antenna connector so you can use the roof antenna

Its staid enough to look good in the dash and easy enough to fit as the ML W163 has ISO connectors. You may need the little stubby antenna adapter to convert between the two types of aerial connector.

Pop in and see Comand.co.uk if near Lightwater - they are an Alpine Excellent Partner so if they supply and fit you'll get a 2 year warranty, and fitting is simple as I say above

Cheers

Richard

 

[Gollom]

Thanks as always Richard. Other end of country I'm afraid!

Any particular Alpine unit? Hoping what I get for the Fiscon Pro makes a big contribution to the cost! lol

Steve

I'd put an Alpine double DIN unit in there. Its even got the same HRS GPS antenna connector so you can use the roof antenna

Its staid enough to look good in the dash and easy enough to fit as the ML W163 has ISO connectors. You may need the little stubby antenna adapter to convert between the two types of aerial connector.

Pop in and see Comand.co.uk if near Lightwater - they are an Alpine Excellent Partner so if they supply and fit you'll get a 2 year warranty, and fitting is simple as I say above

Cheers

Richard

 

[richard]

If you want DAB, 925R (or theres a more expensive one with a 7" screen), otherwise 970BT ?

Cheers
Richard

 

[Gollom]

..... MY2004 W163 on Thursday. From the VIN decoder I can see it has 352 COMAND, 819 CD CHANGER and 354 ANTENNA FOR TELEPHONE D/E NET.

.......the CD-changer will play MP3 .....

Ta!

CD changer not happy with MP3 disks - should it play them?

 

[PobodY]

Probably it's the burnt disc it's not happy with. - Or have you already checked that and it makes no difference?

 

[Gollom]

Probably it's the burnt disc it's not happy with. - Or have you already checked that and it makes no difference?

Not yet. They are burnt with folders and played OK in my W211 NTG1 - maybe this CD changer cannot cope with a folder structure and needs all files at root

 

[Gollom]

........What is a cost effective 3rd party option to give me SatNav, hands-free and MP3 capability? I have a 2004 ML270 (W163)

I'd put an Alpine double DIN unit in there. Its even got the same HRS GPS antenna connector so you can use the roof antenna

Its staid enough to look good in the dash and easy enough to fit as the ML W163 has ISO connectors. You may need the little stubby antenna adapter to convert between the two types of aerial connector.

Pop in and see Comand.co.uk if near Lightwater - they are an Alpine Excellent Partner so if they supply and fit you'll get a 2 year warranty, and fitting is simple as I say above

Cheers

Richard

Sorry to revisit this.

As much as I'd like one, Alpine are well beyond my pocket

Any other thoughts?

Seen some Erisintech units on ebay that would do what I want (yes, I know they are Chinese.....) but whist suggesting they would fit a W163 the dimensions are Top Width 220mm x Height 124mm X Bottom Width 210mm whilst the existing COMAND unit appears to be Top Width 204mm x Height 103mm X Bottom Width 203mm. Am I missing something or is there a converter somewhere?

Any more help appreciated

 

[richard]

I'd buy a used Alpine unit on eBay

Alpine Mercedes A/B Class W169 Vito W447 Double Din SAT NAV Built in Bluetooth 4958043543502 | eBay

And sell the Fiscon on the forum ?

Double DIN standard size units go nicely into the dashboard on a ML.

I can not recommend the chinese units. Some people like them, we only see them when people want them removed.

Richard

 

[Gollom]

I'd buy a used Alpine unit on eBay

Alpine Mercedes A/B Class W169 Vito W447 Double Din SAT NAV Built in Bluetooth 4958043543502 | eBay

And sell the Fiscon on the forum ?

Double DIN standard size units go nicely into the dashboard on a ML.

I can not recommend the chinese units. Some people like them, we only see them when people want them removed.

Richard

Checked funds and just can't afford this. May have to drop off the GPS requirement and reply on my separate satnav for that

Is the aperture size on my car (ML270 2004) true Double DIN, so any unit advertised as such will fit?

Thanks for your patience

[Rant] Must confess I get pi&&ed off with the emphasis on Apple this an Apple that. I do not have an iPhone and no desire to own one [/Rant]

 

[gIzzE]

Problem is, developing for a system that has only one product is much easier.

I went to Android but soon realised when it came to it working with everything Apple is the best option.

Do you need DAB?

Do you need Nav?

I went with a Pioneer dab unit with bluetooth music and phone, it was pretty good.

Kenwood do units that do car play and android auto with dab.

I also had the Alpine nav/dab W925 which was superb.


Depends on budget.


Pioneer...

Alpine...