Navigation 20 for W212

[Mystic]

Hello All

My first posting here....

I recently bought a used W212 in Avantgarde spec. The car has the basic Audio 20 unit fitted (w/out multi-changer) and does not have any pre-wiring for a phone.

I'm looking into getting the Navigation 20 unit retro-fitted to provide:
1. SatNav capabilities
2. Control of the music on my iPhone and playback through the car's audio system
3. Control of the phone

I've done some research on the Nav20 unit but there is not a lot of firm information available - its mainly marketing material from MB. I spoke to MB of Milton Keynes and they implied that the SatNav functionality provided by Nav20 is more advanced than that offered by the Nav50. It seems impossible to get hold of a tech spec for the Nav20.

I'd be grateful if anyone who has had Nav20 fitted to a W212 could provide some feedback. Specifically:

- How good is the SatNav capability of the Nav20? Is it as good as, say, Co-Pilot on the iPhone?
- Does the Nav20 unit allow bluetooth streaming of audio from an iPhone? (the MB USA site seems to imply it does)
- Does the Nav20 unit improve audio quality over the normal Audio 20 unit?
- How does the Nav20 unit integrate with phone pre-wiring (if at all)?

Many thanks for your help.

Rgds

 

[npuk]

The Audio 20 from 2008 onwards has full bluetooth connectivity built in, no pre-wire or cradle needed. Your user manual will have the instructions on how to pair the phone.

Bit of info on the Navigation 20 here: Comand Online Ltd :: Mercedes SatNav/COMAND :: COMAND, Navigation & Audio Units :: Navigation 20 system for new E class (W212/W207)

AFAIK it wont do bluetooth streaming. Even the media interface doesnt unless you upgrade to the new media interface plus.

It wont make a difference to the audio quality.

If you do a search there have been a couple of threads in the past about it.

 

[richard]

The original Nav 20 for the W204 did do bluetooth audio streaming.

The new unit (which works in W207/W212 aswell as W204) is smaller and easier to fit than the older unit and has newer maps but does not do bluetooth audio streaming.

The old unit has a big connector mechanism that fits in place of the interior lamp in the glovebox (and the lamp then plugs into it).

The new one uses the 'media interface' knock out hole (about 2" x .75") in the glovebox for the wiring.

As you have a W212, its the new unit for you. If you have Media Interface, that goes away - but you have a great iPod interface on the Nav 20.

I like the Nav20 because it is a good way to get a propertly integrated decent (7 digit postcode, Birds eye view) satnav and properly integrated iPod. If I had a W204/W212/W207 with just the Audio-20 and I didn't want to spend the £££ retrofitting COMAND and Media Interface, i'd use a Nav 20 hapilly.

The nav 20 sits effectively between the Audio-20 and it's display and between the Audio-20 and the car's network, so it is translating messages and displaying info, so it gives no improvements to sound and does not intefere with the existing operation of the phone system

Richard

 

[Mystic]

Many thanks npuk & richard for taking the time to reply - most appreciated.

The whole area of retro-fitting electronics to MB cars seems fraught with FUD (fear, uncertainty & doubt).

One more question, If I was to opt for retro-fitting the phone wiring (so that I can use the car's antenna for better phone signal reception) as well as Nav20, then is it possible to still have control of my iPhone's Ipod functionality?

If I was to install just Nav20, then it would mean putting my iPhone away in the glove box where the phone reception is going to be rubbish - which kind of defeats the point of having the phone integrated into the car in the first place.....

If anyone can give me a pointer as to how to solve this problem (i.e, Phone via the car's antenna AND ipod control), then that would be great.

Many thanks

 

[npuk]

Maybe possible to extend the ipod / iphone cable so you can have the iphone in a holder e.g. the ones that clip onto the airvent. Richard will know.

1M Dock Extension Cable for iphone 4 3GS ipod Nano ipad on eBay (end time 10-Apr-11 17:37:14 BST)

If you went the phone pre-wire retrofit way then it will be pretty expensive. Richard can advise exactly what you need.

I guess you will need the phone pre-wire kit (not sure if you need this with the comfort phone kit), comfort phone kit (w212 kit not listed on the site), roof antenna, and iphone cradle with ipod lead to connect to the nav 20.

Comand Online Ltd :: Mercedes Phone/Bluetooth :: Phone System Retrofit Kits

 

[Alfie]

Sadly the iPod function of the iPhone cannot be controlled if you have navigation 20 and the phone is in a cradle (ie comfort phone option with cradle) as there is no way to connect the phone to the navigation-20.

The simplest solution for you is to Bluetooth the phone to the car and plug it in to the interface on the navigation-20.

Comfort phone kit is the same price as comfort phone for W204.

 

[Mystic]

Hi Alfie

Thanks for you response. Bit dis-appointing, but there we go.

Would the situation be any different (i.e. I would be able to use a phone pod and control my iPod functionality simultaneously) if I had a multi-changer with my Audio 20 or if I had a COMAND unit in my W212?

Many thanks.

 

[npuk]

Only way to do it using a cradle will be install comfort phone, install the ipod interface and use an iphone cradle with the cable to connect it to the ipod interface.

Obviously doing the above would mean you wont get navigation so if you wanted it you would need to change to Audio 50 or Comand.

Another option but more costly is install comfort phone, install the media interface and the new media interface plus add on and use use an iphone cradle. The media interface plus allows streaming over bluetooth.

You can see prices for the various options at: http://www.comandonline.co.uk/home.php?cat=274