NTG 2.5 Different Head Units - confused!

[EddieH]

Hi all,
Recently bought R171 SLK 280 (MAY 2008) which has, I believe, Audio 20 installed. Its very basic without BT.

I'm upgrading to a new head unit NTG 2.5 but searching on line it looks like there are various versions of head unit. Some seems to have silver buttons for phone, on/off etc. & some black buttons. I think I've even seen half & half colours.

Can anyone clarify if I can get a head unit with all silver controls to fit my console and NTG 2.5?

Many thanks.

 

[markjay]

Different models of Mercs have different implementations of NTG2.5, mostly to do with the physical size and shape of the unit. Each of these NTG2.5 units has different MB Part Number.

So for example an NTG2.5 unit from an E-Class can not be fitted to an ML etc, although they look similar. And as said they will have different MB Part Numbers.

You need to find the correct NTG2.5 unit with the correct Part Number that will fit in your car. I.e. you can't just buy any NTG2.5 off eBay and retrofit it.

More here:

www.mercupgrades.com

www.comandonline.co.uk

Forum members Alfie and Richard retrofitted my NTG2.5 and are the experts on this issue and on car navigation and entertainment in general.

 

[richard]

To be more specific about your 171 requirement you need a unit with part number starting A171 ..

Your SLK will have NTG1 version of the Audio system. Do not plug a NTG2.5 unit into NTG1 wiring without a converter loom.

There are various NTG2.5 options (generally available, there may be others)

Audio-20. Has single CD and built in bluetooth. No fibre optic port for expansion. No sat nav.
Audio-20 CDC. Has CD changer and built in bluetooth. No satnav.
COMAND single DVD. Comand sat nav, with single DVD
COMAND 6 DVD changer: Comand sat nav with 6 DVD changer.

There are also Audio-50 units, but these are rare. These are an inferior experience to the COMAND and to be avoided.

There are USA units and units for the "Rest of the World". Make sure you get a unit for Rest of World (i.e for Europe)

With each of the above options there are multiple part numbers, as they are changed as the firmware they were supplied with changed.

You can tell COMAND NTG2.5 easily as it has a SD card slot. The other identifier for NTG2.5 is that the phone buttons are Red and Green with NTG2.5 and not with NTG1/NTG2. (but note USA units always had Red/Green buttons).

You can tell the CDC/DVD-Changer versions by looking at the eject button which has a stack of disks on it for the changer versions, and just the normal eject sign for single disk versions.

'Expansion' includes integrated DAB tuner, integrated iPod kit, Harmon Kardon sound system and TV (TV is only supported with COMAND).

COMAND also supports reversing cameras - although no standard reversing camera for NTG2.5

Richard

 

[EddieH]

OK so very slowly getting my head around this. Couple more questions though:

1. Where do the 'Comand Apps' I've seen fit in? Are they different again or just another name for the same?

2. Do they all have the same screen size? (looking at pics it seems like older ones had bigger screens to me )

 

[sspeed]

Mine is 7"

I am talking about my screen size on the NTG 2.5 I have...

 

[npuk]

What Comand apps?

The units differ in size and shape as they are car model dependant. Screen is the same. You can only fit a SLK unit with a part umber starting a171.

 

[EddieH]

Mine is 7"

I am talking about my screen size on the NTG 2.5 I have...

You should be so lucky!

Thanks for the measuring it though (ur screen).

FYI Im asking 'cos I fancy the idea of fitting a touch screen overlay so I can access/control my iPhone with one of these:

http://www.customgadz.com/store/category.php?id_category=2

 

[EddieH]

What Comand apps?

The units differ in size and shape as they are car model dependant. Screen is the same. You can only fit a SLK unit with a part umber starting a171.

Thanks for the reply npuk. I get that there are different head units to fit each MB model but it would seem that there are variants within that.

e.g.
I've seen the head units refered to as 'Comand' and also 'Comand Apps'. Not sure if they are different.

Also I think I have seen pics of Comand 2.5 head units for R171 (with the SD card) that have the bottom vol. control & curser keys in black colour AND also in silver colour?

I'm probably wrong though :fail. MB seem determined to make things as complicated as possible for simple folk like me!

 

[EddieH]

sspeed's is 7" in aC270

Can anyone confirm it's the same size in SLK (R171 pre facelift) please?

 

[npuk]

There are no variants within that. Comand NTG2.5 is Comand NTG2.5 there are two models with or without built in 6 disc changer that is all.

Comand 2.5 is an old unit that is completely different. It was 3 generations before Comand NTG2.5.

No such thing as Comand Apps. Unless you mean you have seen the units called Comand APS. Older Comand units were called Comand then the model number. Since about 2004 they have been called Comand APS then the model number. Some people may advertise the unit as Comand NTG2.5, others as Comand APS NTG2.5. It is the NTG model you need to look at.

If you see a unit with a R171 part number on the sticker on the top but a different front it is a unit made up of different parts. They will have fitted a front for another model on it so it wouldnt fit a SLK anyway.

A SLK unit will look like the below:

I dont why your so concerned about screen. AFAIK all Comand NTG2.5 are 6.5" screens. I have seen the replacements for sale and they are advertised as fitting all variants of Comand NTG2.5. 7" screens came in models that have a seperate display like W204.

 

[markjay]

COMAND - Cockpit Management and Data

APS - Auto Pilot System

NTG - New Telematics Generation

 

[npuk]

Thanks, I didnt go into more detail as I didnt want to cause any more confusion.

 

[EddieH]

WOW thanks to all above.
That is brilliant info I was missing and I think I can say I get it now :bannana:
Thanks again.

 

[EddieH]

Mine is 7"

I am talking about my screen size on the NTG 2.5 I have...

Over a year later and it still makes me chuckle!

 

[AndyMac36]

To be more specific about your 171 requirement you need a unit with part number starting A171 ..

Your SLK will have NTG1 version of the Audio system. Do not plug a NTG2.5 unit into NTG1 wiring without a converter loom.

There are various NTG2.5 options (generally available, there may be others)

Audio-20. Has single CD and built in bluetooth. No fibre optic port for expansion. No sat nav.
Audio-20 CDC. Has CD changer and built in bluetooth. No satnav.
COMAND single DVD. Comand sat nav, with single DVD
COMAND 6 DVD changer: Comand sat nav with 6 DVD changer.

There are also Audio-50 units, but these are rare. These are an inferior experience to the COMAND and to be avoided.

There are USA units and units for the "Rest of the World". Make sure you get a unit for Rest of World (i.e for Europe)

With each of the above options there are multiple part numbers, as they are changed as the firmware they were supplied with changed.

You can tell COMAND NTG2.5 easily as it has a SD card slot. The other identifier for NTG2.5 is that the phone buttons are Red and Green with NTG2.5 and not with NTG1/NTG2. (but note USA units always had Red/Green buttons).

You can tell the CDC/DVD-Changer versions by looking at the eject button which has a stack of disks on it for the changer versions, and just the normal eject sign for single disk versions.

'Expansion' includes integrated DAB tuner, integrated iPod kit, Harmon Kardon sound system and TV (TV is only supported with COMAND).

COMAND also supports reversing cameras - although no standard reversing camera for NTG2.5

Richard

Apologies for commenting a really old post but I've recently got myself a 2005 SLK350 R171 which I think has an Audio 20 radio but it doesn't seem to have bluetooth even though there are telephone buttons on the radio. The question is can I install an NTG2.5 radio with A171 reference that has bluetooth and satnav into my car with the corresponding wiring loom from commandonline.co.uk?

I'd also like to install the TPMS module to get the tire pressures on the dash but trying to get the connectors for the rear SAM appear to be like Rocking horse Sh*t so that project has stalled! It's so I can see the pressures during track days

Thanks in reading.

 

[richard]

Yes you can install a nTg2.5 with correct loom. What part number is the connector for the tpms wiring?

 

[AndyMac36]

Thanks Richard, I'm struggling to get the part numbers for the connectors for either the REARSAM or TPMS. Shrader (TPMS Model Supplier) have said they can't help and my local MB dealership is just not replying to the request. Photos attached of the connectors needed so I can make up the loom as I believe the loom is no longer available to buy. I can pick up a TPMS module form America that has the connector and some cabling but that's assuming this part will work with a UK car.

 

[Chrishazle]

Be aware that R171 Comand NTG2.5 satnav maps, the latest and last ever are 2018-19 - it's what I have in my 2008 early facelift R171 SLK280.

 

[AndyMac36]

Thanks for the heads up Chris, I have the same issue with my W212 2013 E250