Non Digital to Digital Climate Control - interchageable on a W203?

[MarkyMark]

I've got climate control but its not digital. I've seen digital ones on Ebay for around £100. Is it just a case of buying one and sticking it in?

 

[markjay]

Yes, and it does work (apart from the REST button which has no function in Thermomatic system), though it is only a visual upgrade as you will obviously not get any of the additional features of Thermatronic.

 

[whitenemesis]

There two part numbers for the 203 Thermatronic unit. Which one is correct for your car is a letter of trial and error.
It is plug and play but you might need to normalise the flaps after fitting, which needs STAR.

As stated you get no greater functionality but in my experience the system hysteresis is much reduced and the air distribution logic is improved. The REST function does operate but only if it did with the Thematic unit.

 

[MarkyMark]

There two part numbers for the 203 Thermatronic unit. Which one is correct for your car is a letter of trial and error.
It is plug and play but you might need to normalise the flaps after fitting, which needs STAR.

Is there a way of stacking the odds in my favour? Ie ensuring it come from a certain model or year? Or is it just random?