Navi Retro fit

[MidsMikey]

Hi, if this has been posted before please accept my apologies
I have just bought a 2012 S204, (C220cdi) I love the car but I’m disappointed that there’s no sat nav, I am thinking/wanting to upgrade the stereo and fit Sat Nav, now although my car is 2012, I’m assuming it was new old stock as my car is pre face lift, I would love to fit the face lifted dash f the better/more modern looking design, is this possible or are multi plugs different, or has anyone retro fitted Satnav? I’ve looked at an Apple CarPlay/android Auto screen instead but want to be able to keep the stereo info for radio and cd trac info.
any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Mike

 

[markjay]

Welcome.

Your car will have the Audio20 infotainment system with the optional (currently missing) Becker Map Pilot navigation processor.

You have several options.

1. Your car will have a bracket in the glove compartment, for the optional Becker Map Pilot navigation processor. You can buy online from Amazon or eBay a new unit or a second hand one. The latest maps can be bought online direct from Becker, for around 90 Euros. The advantage is that you'll get seamless integration of the satnav system with the Audio20 infotainment system and with the LCD display in the instrument cluster. The downside is that the Becker Map Pilot navigation processor is outdated in today's standards - it was released 13 years ago, and while the firmware and software updates over the years did help keep it 'fresh' to some extent, in its core it's not a modern unit. See also: NEW CONDITION BECKER MAP PILOT WITH LATEST MAPS 2017/2018+FREE SPEED CAMERA!!! : Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

2. Upgrade the existing Audio20 infotainment system by replacing it with the higher end COMAND NTG4.5, that has built-in navigation with the maps on an internal HDD. The advantage is again seamless integration with the car, plus COMAND is a great system with better audio and better screen. The downside is that this retrofit requires professional installation and it is not cheap. If this is of interest, talk to Comand.co.uk – Mercedes Retrofits Specialists – Unique Car Sound & Security

3. Fit an Android infotainment system with 10.25" screen, thus completely bypassing the car's original Audio20 unit (which will remain in place, but not be used). There are many Chinese manufacturers that make them, the brand Erisin has been recommended by some members here. The advantage is that you will have a system that can run any Android-based navigation software, plus it will have support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This will allow you to use Waze, Apple Maps, or Google Maps. The main advantage is that the maps are always up-to-date, and you also get live traffic data. The downside is that the quality and reliability of the hardware isn't always great, and some dislike the look of the large screen 'stuck' on the dash. See also: Erisin ES3640C 10.25" Android 11 Car Stereo GPS Sat Nav Radio for Mercedes Benz C-Class W204 NTG IPS CarPlay DAB+ 64GB IPS CarPlay Bluetooth

4. Install dedicated concealed hardware that will allow your existing Audio20 system to work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. See also: AfterMarket CarPlay and Android Auto System (NTG3.5, NTG4.5, NTG5)

5. Get a mobile phone bracket and use your Waze (or similar software) directly from your smartphone.

 

[mioba]

6) sell your car and get a car with the options you need

 

[MidsMikey]

Welcome.

Your car will have the Audio20 infotainment system with the optional (currently missing) Becker Map Pilot navigation processor.

You have several options.

1. Your car will have a bracket in the glove compartment, for the optional Becker Map Pilot navigation processor. You can buy online from Amazon or eBay a new unit or a second hand one. The latest maps can be bought online direct from Becker, for around 90 Euros. The advantage is that you'll get seamless integration of the satnav system with the Audio20 infotainment system and with the LCD display in the instrument cluster. The downside is that the Becker Map Pilot navigation processor is outdated in today's standards - it was released 13 years ago, and while the firmware and software updates over the years did help keep it 'fresh' to some extent, in its core it's not a modern unit. See also: NEW CONDITION BECKER MAP PILOT WITH LATEST MAPS 2017/2018+FREE SPEED CAMERA!!! : Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

2. Upgrade the existing Audio20 infotainment system by replacing it with the higher end COMAND NTG4.5, that has built-in navigation with the maps on an internal HDD. The advantage is again seamless integration with the car, plus COMAND is a great system with better audio and better screen. The downside is that this retrofit requires professional installation and it is not cheap. If this is of interest, talk to Comand.co.uk – Mercedes Retrofits Specialists – Unique Car Sound & Security

3. Fit an Android infotainment system with 10.25" screen, thus completely bypassing the car's original Audio20 unit (which will remain in place, but not be used). There are many Chinese manufacturers that make them, the brand Erisin has been recommended by some members here. The advantage is that you will have a system that can run any Android-based navigation software, plus it will have support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This will allow you to use Waze, Apple Maps, or Google Maps. The main advantage is that the maps are always up-to-date, and you also get live traffic data. The downside is that the quality and reliability of the hardware isn't always great, and some dislike the look of the large screen 'stuck' on the dash. See also: Erisin ES3640C 10.25" Android 11 Car Stereo GPS Sat Nav Radio for Mercedes Benz C-Class W204 NTG IPS CarPlay DAB+ 64GB IPS CarPlay Bluetooth

4. Install dedicated concealed hardware that will allow your existing Audio20 system to work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. See also: AfterMarket CarPlay and Android Auto System (NTG3.5, NTG4.5, NTG5)

5. Get a mobile phone bracket and use your Waze (or similar software) directly from your smartphone.

Excellent, thank you for sharing, and the links, I wi look into them. Thank you

 

[MidsMikey]

6) sell your car and get a car with the options you need

Pointless reply, I hope you enjoyed sharing your pointless response

 

[MidsMikey]

Welcome.

Your car will have the Audio20 infotainment system with the optional (currently missing) Becker Map Pilot navigation processor.

You have several options.

1. Your car will have a bracket in the glove compartment, for the optional Becker Map Pilot navigation processor. You can buy online from Amazon or eBay a new unit or a second hand one. The latest maps can be bought online direct from Becker, for around 90 Euros. The advantage is that you'll get seamless integration of the satnav system with the Audio20 infotainment system and with the LCD display in the instrument cluster. The downside is that the Becker Map Pilot navigation processor is outdated in today's standards - it was released 13 years ago, and while the firmware and software updates over the years did help keep it 'fresh' to some extent, in its core it's not a modern unit. See also: NEW CONDITION BECKER MAP PILOT WITH LATEST MAPS 2017/2018+FREE SPEED CAMERA!!! : Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

2. Upgrade the existing Audio20 infotainment system by replacing it with the higher end COMAND NTG4.5, that has built-in navigation with the maps on an internal HDD. The advantage is again seamless integration with the car, plus COMAND is a great system with better audio and better screen. The downside is that this retrofit requires professional installation and it is not cheap. If this is of interest, talk to Comand.co.uk – Mercedes Retrofits Specialists – Unique Car Sound & Security

3. Fit an Android infotainment system with 10.25" screen, thus completely bypassing the car's original Audio20 unit (which will remain in place, but not be used). There are many Chinese manufacturers that make them, the brand Erisin has been recommended by some members here. The advantage is that you will have a system that can run any Android-based navigation software, plus it will have support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This will allow you to use Waze, Apple Maps, or Google Maps. The main advantage is that the maps are always up-to-date, and you also get live traffic data. The downside is that the quality and reliability of the hardware isn't always great, and some dislike the look of the large screen 'stuck' on the dash. See also: Erisin ES3640C 10.25" Android 11 Car Stereo GPS Sat Nav Radio for Mercedes Benz C-Class W204 NTG IPS CarPlay DAB+ 64GB IPS CarPlay Bluetooth

4. Install dedicated concealed hardware that will allow your existing Audio20 system to work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. See also: AfterMarket CarPlay and Android Auto System (NTG3.5, NTG4.5, NTG5)

5. Get a mobile phone bracket and use your Waze (or similar software) directly from your smartphone.

I’ve looked all over and my car doesn’t have anything in the glovebox, as I said earlier, although my car is 2012, it’s pre facelift, should I still have it, or do you mean behind the glovebox, have I got to remove the glovebox to find it?

 

[markjay]

The facelift model came out in 2010. How can your 2012 car be a 'pre-facelift'?

The bracket in at the top of the glove compartment, on the right-hand side (in the facelift model).

 

[MidsMikey]

The facelift model came out in 2010. How can your 2012 car be a 'pre-facelift'?

The bracket in at the top of the glove compartment, on the right-hand side (in the facelift model).

No, I definitely haven’t got that in my glovebox, my car is a 2012 reg, but I have the 5speed auto box, and the stereo display has a flip down cover the facelift cars as I’m sure you know, have a higher screen in the dash and it’s permanently on display, and different looking stereo, steering wheel and round heater vents where mine are oblong

 

[mioba]

Pointless reply, I hope you enjoyed sharing your pointless response

A new dash, a sat nav, you are disappointed with your choice. Should have got the correct spec car.
The cost and hassle to appease your disappointment would have been negated with the correct spec car

 

[MidsMikey]

A new dash, a sat nav, you are disappointed with your choice. Should have got the correct spec car.
The cost and hassle to appease your disappointment would have been negated with the correct spec car

What are you gaining from your pointless dribble, you are bringing nothing to the post, your opinion isn’t needed or relevant
I am so glad that yet again you have achieved nothing
you must be so proud of your pointless posts
i give you a round of applause for your worth

 

[mioba]

Its a forum where people (ie yourself) ask for opinions.
If my opinion doesn't strike a chord with you then simply ignore it.
I do appreciate the applause.

 

[MidsMikey]

Its a forum where people (ie yourself) ask for opinions.
If my opinion doesn't strike a chord with you then simply ignore it.
I do appreciate the applause.

Yawn
again pointless and irrelevant
yawn

 

[markjay]

No, I definitely haven’t got that in my glovebox, my car is a 2012 reg, but I have the 5speed auto box, and the stereo display has a flip down cover the facelift cars as I’m sure you know, have a higher screen in the dash and it’s permanently on display, and different looking stereo, steering wheel and round heater vents where mine are oblong

OK, if your car is a pre-facelift, then the system you have is Audio20 (NTG4) and this system has no native support for satnav. Your only option is a Chinese Android system - see for example: How to Install Mercedes W204 Android Screen Upgrade? - Aftermarket Car Stereo Head Unit Upgrade (there are various other brands available).

As for the car, it is odd that it was built before 2010 but only first registered in 2012 - do you know the car's history? Is it an import etc?

 

[MidsMikey]

OK, if your car is a pre-facelift, then the system you have is Audio20 (NTG4) and this system has no native support for satnav. Your only option is a Chinese Android system - see for example: How to Install Mercedes W204 Android Screen Upgrade? - Aftermarket Car Stereo Head Unit Upgrade (there are various other brands available).

As for the car, it is odd that it was built before 2010 but only first registered in 2012 - do you know the car's history? Is it an import etc?

 

[MidsMikey]

All I know is that is was registered new in May 2012, I have only owned it two weeks and have yet to receive the V5, but I did see it from the trader I bought it from, sadly, I know little more than that, before I bought it, I did do a his check on one of the big on line check services, and it appeared to be legitimate, I am now beginning to wonder what I’ve bought.
Thanks for your help, I’m not sure what to do, as i prefer the Oem look, I was thinking about putting a later stereo and display/dash in, but it sounds like it may not be an easy swap with software configurations

 

[markjay]

All I know is that is was registered new in May 2012, I have only owned it two weeks and have yet to receive the V5, but I did see it from the trader I bought it from, sadly, I know little more than that, before I bought it, I did do a his check on one of the big on line check services, and it appeared to be legitimate, I am now beginning to wonder what I’ve bought.
Thanks for your help, I’m not sure what to do, as i prefer the Oem look, I was thinking about putting a later stereo and display/dash in, but it sounds like it may not be an easy swap with software configurations

Upgrading the infotainment system to that of the facelift (COMAND NTG4.5) will require a new infotainment unit, complete new dashboard including heating ducts and vents, new instrument cluster, lots of labour and programming. And, updating the maps will only be possible via hacking (because there will be no PIN code available for your VIN). I really don't think it's a practical solution, unless you are a very enthusiastic DIY guy with lots of spare time on your hands and a donor car...

 

[markjay]

Also, check the car's VIN in a free VIN decoder, it might give you some insights.

 

[markjay]

I suppose you could also consider upgrading your Audio20 unit to COMAND NTG4, which was the higher-end option for the pre-facelift car:

COMAND NTG4 from 2010 W204 C350i | Electronics and Audio

What's the complete system worth? Mint condition...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

It will be a cheaper retrofit than the newer COMAND NTG4 (because there's no need to replace the entire dashboard and instrument cluster), and it has built-in navigation with the maps stored on an internal HDD. The downside, however if that there are no new maps available for this system due to its age, the final maps update was released around 5 years ago.

 

[MidsMikey]

Many thanks to the people who have given useful information and advice, I shall look into the command system, thank you

 

[markjay]

Many thanks to the people who have given useful information and advice, I shall look into the command system, thank

To recap:

Facelift = COMAND Online NTG4.5 (required new dashboard if fitting to a pre-facelift car)

Pre-facelift = COMAND NTG4 (fits instead of your current Audio20 unit and screen)

The latter is outdated, but still an option.