R230 2003 Radio Upgrade to Android?

[Plainview]

Greetings all,

Apologies for my first post being a query... I have trawled through tons of old posts at this point but had a couple of remaining queries that I wanted to ask!

I have just bought my first Merc, a very well cared for SL55 AMG, 2003 model :bannana:

The one area that I want to spend some Euros improving is the Comand unit. I understand the limitations of the peculiar amplifier system so am willing to replace the existing Amp with a new Amp. However the head unit is another matter and that my options are limited by the space and frame etc. One unit which did appear well suited was this Android 4.4.4 shipping from China:

Android 4 4 4 TO Mercedes Benz SL Class R230 CAR DVD Player GPS Navigation Radio | eBay

I was wondering if anybody has any direct experience of this unit -- or if there is a better alternative that I am missing!

Many thanks and regards,
Plainview.

 

[tanuie]

No experience of this, but being Chinese i would be very aware.

 

[Paul Grainger]

I've heard mixed reports, some saying avoid but some saying how good it is. The good reports tend to come from people that have actually purchased and fitted one of these units. You need to be aware that quite a lot of wiring mods are needed to the speakers and you will need a seperate subwoofer amplifier (or a new amplified sub woofer and the one in the car isn't great!
If they bring out one of these with DAB then I will def be buying one

Paul G

 

[Alfie]

Greetings all,

Apologies for my first post being a query... I have trawled through tons of old posts at this point but had a couple of remaining queries that I wanted to ask!

I have just bought my first Merc, a very well cared for SL55 AMG, 2003 model :bannana:

The one area that I want to spend some Euros improving is the Comand unit. I understand the limitations of the peculiar amplifier system so am willing to replace the existing Amp with a new Amp. However the head unit is another matter and that my options are limited by the space and frame etc. One unit which did appear well suited was this Android 4.4.4 shipping from China:

Android 4 4 4 TO Mercedes Benz SL Class R230 CAR DVD Player GPS Navigation Radio | eBay

I was wondering if anybody has any direct experience of this unit -- or if there is a better alternative that I am missing!

Many thanks and regards,
Plainview.

Ive seen a lot of these and they are all quite simply rubbish. the quality is shocking, the functionality clunky and worst of all the colour schemes look like something from the early learning centre.

If you want to change the Comand then have a look at something like an Alpine 925R. Alpine are very much the best of breed and way ahead of Pioneer, sony, Kenwood etc in terms of build quality and reliability. You undoubtedly have Bose so you will need to change the amplifier for a decent five channel one like the JL XD700/5. your speakers are more than capable of handling the power.

 

[Paul Grainger]

The Alpine is without doubt a fab unit - but the Chinese model 'reportedly' gives full functionality to the steering wheel buttons and instrument cluster LCD for track ID etc - that could be a problem for alternative head units and has so far put me off from upgrading. I have seen - on EBay - a converter from low level audio to the MB MOST fibre audio protocol that would enable continued use of the existing amplifier and greatly simplify the installation ...... But I have seen no reports of how well these converters work and they certainly aren't cheap!

 

[Alfie]

The Alpine is without doubt a fab unit - but the Chinese model 'reportedly' gives full functionality to the steering wheel buttons and instrument cluster LCD for track ID etc - that could be a problem for alternative head units and has so far put me off from upgrading. I have seen - on EBay - a converter from low level audio to the MB MOST fibre audio protocol that would enable continued use of the existing amplifier and greatly simplify the installation ...... But I have seen no reports of how well these converters work and they certainly aren't cheap!

The converters in my experience result in the fader option no longer working which isnt too bad an issue in an SL.

The Bose speakers in the car are actually quite good and when driven by a decent amplifier, really do perform.

 

[Alex Richardson]

I think the price is way too high. A product like this shouldn't charge this big amount of money.

 

[richard]

Also, your car is D2B (SL changed to most mid 2004 for model year 2005) - the converters are MOST. Replace the amp with a 5 channel amp as Alfie says, and go with a known decent head unit (which is a bit more troublesome to fit, but we do loads).

You have a car that cost £100k new Keep it perfect and enjoy, but don't forget that the parts are still those of a £100k car !!!

R