ML320 W164 Android Head Unit

[BallouBear]

Hi All,
Has anyone replaced the stock head unit with an Android type?

I am contemplating doing this as pricing for such units has reduced massively over the years.

One small concern possibly is that the stock head unit interfaces with the dash, ie for setting the clock.
Could this be overcome?

I would be interested to hear anyone's thoughts if they have done this.

 

[m11nch]

I saw a tread on xda delvelopers forum and a guy had done this it was a nu3001 carpad unit (great head unit btw) I think it was under xda auto in the subject menu

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[400ixl]

Nearly everyone I know (and I've unfortunately have had to help a few) who has gone down the Android head unit route has regretted it. They are under powered, on old versions of Android which never get updated, full of bugs and incompatibilities with apps. Which is a pity as Android is a great solution for this.

If you want the Android experience and have an Android phone then I'd suggest looking at something more robust like the Pioneer AppRadio series or something that does Mirrorlink. That way the experience is only as out of date as your phone.

I have supported many users on XDA with both types of solution and the Android HU one rarely ends well. Usually just in frustration and living with something sub standard.

 

[BallouBear]

Interesting options, thank you.
I think certainly a lot of pro's and cons, plus of course there are a number of "dodgy" Android solutions out there, although the NU3001 looks interesting.
It was suggested just to go with the Alpine unit, however for the cost of Alpine, you could not justify it.

Once again, thank you

 

[TKvS]

I purchased an Android head unit, had all the bells and whistles, unfortunately my wiring loom is fibre-optic, so wouldn't connect up, they suggested an alternative using a doo-hickey, but it meant I would only be able to use the head units built in speakers, got a refund and abandoned the idea....probably just as well, looked great but I've already had a bad experience with a Viewsonic 22" Android / PC monitor, no Android upgrades and no service facility, I use it to collect dust now !

 

[richard]

If you have Harmon Kardon, then give up now. The amp is multi-channel and connected via fibre optic, there are some Chinese interfaces to the HK, but don't work well from what we've heard.

The car can be re-coded so that you can set the clock again. Needs someone who knows what they are doing with Star Diagnosis . (Try alfie at Mercedes Retrofit Specialist - Comand.co.uk )

R

 

[TKvS]

That's why I gave up, HK or Bose systems won't integrate with replacement Android head unit, it all looks great on paper and in theory, but a nighmare in practice.

The head unit I bought was this one,

Android 4.4.4 car dvd player Sat Nav Mercedes Benz e Class W211 CLS W219 2501-GB | eBay

 

[m11nch]

I've got the nu3001 in my ml270 and a pioneer av85 00 in my wife's ml and I much prefer the android it's got a Web cam for a dash cam and records onto sd card plus auto deletes. the rear camera is sharp the radio is OK but no rds and sat nav works flawlessly ( co-pilot) and hands free is solid.
Plus there is strong delvelopers support custom Roms ect

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[kid-jensen]

I've got the earlier version (WIndows CE-based0 which works fine and doesn't sound too bad. It was also very cheap, or rather, the previous owner was very cheap..

Won't interface completely to the dashboard display or the streering wheel switches, but who cares? fortunately I have arms, and they can reach the controls on the front panel just fine..

Steering wheel switches belong in the same dustbin as cupholders.....and fuzzy dice fior that matter...

 

[gIzzE]

Steering wheel switches belong in the same dustbin as cupholders.....