R230 command replacement.

[cmc]

Has anyone here changed the original command unit in an SL (R230)?
wanted to get some opinions and recommendations on what the best plug and play Android units out there are for the R230 as the original command unit is definitely showing its age.

 

[markjay]

You can get a premium system e.g. Alpine/Pioneer/Kenwood from specialists such as www.commandonline.co.uk, or you can get a cheapo Android unit e.g. www.erisin.co.uk.

 

[Alfie]

Has anyone here changed the original command unit in an SL (R230)?
wanted to get some opinions and recommendations on what the best plug and play Android units out there are for the R230 as the original command unit is definitely showing its age.

Email me your vin to sales@comandonline.co.uk.

What you can do and what it will cost hugely depends on what is in the car at present.

 

[cmc]

Thanks for the replies. I am thinking of a DIY job and read some reviews on the Chinese “plug and play” devices. Hopefully it’s note ”plug and stray”

 

[cmc]

Thanks for the replies. I am thinking of a DIY job and read some reviews on the Chinese “plug and play” devices. Hopefully it’s note ”plug and stray”

If it is I will be coming to command line.co.uk

 

[Macgd016]

I would also like to fit a new Andriod head unit, I can't see anything on the Erisin site for the R230 facelift but these seem to fit the bill:

XISEDO Android 10.0 for Mercedes Benz SL R230 SL350 SL500 SL300 SL550 Car Audio Stereo Headunit Radio 9”HD Touch Screen GPS Navigation with Bluetooth WIFI Steering Wheel Control: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy XISEDO Android 10.0 for Mercedes Benz SL R230 SL350 SL500 SL300 SL550 Car Audio Stereo Headunit Radio 9”HD Touch Screen GPS Navigation with Bluetooth WIFI Steering Wheel Control at Amazon UK.

www.amazon.co.uk

9" Car Stereo Radio Player GPS Navi 2+32G DAB Mirror Link For 05-11 Benz SL R230 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 9" Car Stereo Radio Player GPS Navi 2+32G DAB Mirror Link For 05-11 Benz SL R230 at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Both seem to do the job but one is £300 more than the other. Has anyone any experience of any head unit upgrades?

 

[Alfie]

If it is I will be coming to command line.co.uk

Fitting a replacement head unit to an SL is not straightforward. If your car is pre model year 2009 then its far from easy. If you have Bose/HK is also far from easy.

 

[cmc]

So it look like I ran into some issues. I got one of these :

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R230) 2001-2005 Autoradio GPS Aftermarket Android Head Unit Navigation Car Stereo

Introducing our latest aftermarket GPS navigation head unit, designed specifically to replace the factory radio system in the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R230) 2001-2005, designed specifically to replace the factory radio system. With the same wiring harness and plug as the original radio, it's a simple

www.sigmacarstereo.com

Looks pretty good and the claim was that it is plug n play. After pulling out the old command unit I connected everything up. Was feeling proud when lights came on and then realised there was no sound. Connected upmthe original unit and still no sound.

Has anyone run into and solved this issue. The unit really looks OEM which is what I was going for but obviously no sound is a fail

All help appreciated.

 

[Diesel Benz]

Well, you were warned but ignored the guidance. Shouldn't the seller help you with the problem as it should be plug-and-play? Then post the solution here for information for others who consider the same product.

I cannot help but I'd expect experts more willing to help if the seller leaves you alone with the problem. Just not fair to go after the cheapest and then rely on help from the one who would sell a working product. The rant is not specifically for you but the same pattern repeats and repeats, seems stronger warnings are justified.

 

[cmc]

So it look like I ran into some issues. I got one of these :

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R230) 2001-2005 Autoradio GPS Aftermarket Android Head Unit Navigation Car Stereo

Introducing our latest aftermarket GPS navigation head unit, designed specifically to replace the factory radio system in the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R230) 2001-2005, designed specifically to replace the factory radio system. With the same wiring harness and plug as the original radio, it's a simple

www.sigmacarstereo.com

Looks pretty good and the claim was that it is plug n play. After pulling out the old command unit I connected everything up. Was feeling proud when lights came on and then realised there was no sound. Connected upmthe original unit and still no sound.

Has anyone run into and solved this issue. The unit really looks OEM which is what I was going for but obviously no sound is a fail

All help appreciated.

I should add that there seems to be an intermittent clicking sound coming from the storage bin where the cd changer is. That was definitely not there before.

Again any advice or similar experiences greatly appreciated.

 

[cmc]

Well, you were warned but ignored the guidance. Shouldn't the seller help you with the problem as it should be plug-and-play? Then post the solution here for information for others who consider the same product.

I cannot help but I'd expect experts more willing to help if the seller leaves you alone with the problem. Just not fair to go after the cheapest and then rely on help from the one who would sell a working product. The rant is not specifically for you but the same pattern repeats and repeats, seems stronger warnings are justified.

Can’t say that’s not fair - a bit harsh but as you said I was warned. However I did do a fair amount of research up front.
I made sure to have to fibre optic adapter so as not to have to splice anything.

Also as I said the original unit no longer seems to give any sound so it seems like it could be something else.

I have contacted the seller and of course will share a solution if/when I get one.

 

[Alfie]

Can’t say that’s not fair - a bit harsh but as you said I was warned. However I did do a fair amount of research up front.
I made sure to have to fibre optic adapter so as not to have to splice anything.

Also as I said the original unit no longer seems to give any sound so it seems like it could be something else.

I have contacted the seller and of course will share a solution if/when I get one.

Sounds to me like the 'new' unit is not waking up the amp/agw. I suspect that you have dislodged something as putting it all back exactly as it was, should yield sound, assuming it was working before.

 

[cmc]

Sounds to me like the 'new' unit is not waking up the amp/agw. I suspect that you have dislodged something as putting it all back exactly as it was, should yield sound, assuming it was working before.

Thanks Alfie,

It certainly was working before. I agree that something must have been dislodged though hard to say what as it all came out pretty smoothly and connected back up to the new unit simply enough too. The thing I have noticed is that there seems to be a ticking sound coming from the back of the passenger seat (in the compartment where the cd changer is and where the amp is I believe) and that definitely wasn’t there before.

The unit powers up and seems quite a good piece of kit - quite responsive, all the buttons on the steering work with it, the red light is visible on the fibre optic connector, sat nav works well…

I guess I may have to come over to Surrey soon.

Thanks again.

 

[DrNick]

I assume you have read all the warnings on the page you link to about no sound - I guess it might have appeared in the last 10 minutes?

 

[cmc]

I assume you have read all the warnings on the page you link to about no sound - I guess it might have appeared in the last 10 minutes?

Hi,

Yes those warnings were there but that was if one did not buy the fibre optic adapter. I’ve been away on vacation but having it looked at on Monday so will post an update here for anyone interested.

Thanks

 

[cmc]

Hi All,

So as promised a quick update on this topic. I took the car down to a specialist ICE shop. After a chat it was clear they knew all about the peculiarities of the R230s fibre optic ring.

Anyway booked it in and they went to work. Happy to report that they said the head unit was fitted properly and the amp was being woken up. The problem however stemmed from the fact the amp had become faulty and was receiving the red light but not sending one back hence both new and old units were not working.

Got the part number, ordered a replacement amp and hopefully when it arrives I’ll have sound with all the functions the head unit has to offer.

I am guessing something may have shorted out and damaged the amp while I did my install or maybe it was faulty.

Will update again when I have it working.

 

[cmc]

Okay so as promised a final update on this.

The system is installed and looks very OEM which is what I was going for. Bought a replacement amp and everything was connected back up using the original command unit first. All worked so reinstalled the android unit and once again there was no sound. Ensured to disconnect battery this time so as not to short out anything.

Anyway after some investigation the guys I took it to figured out that the Android unit was not playing well with the first stop in the optic ring so they fashioned a bypass and it all worked.

Very satisfied with the unit, sound is on point and responsive touch screen. Opted NOT to add a reverse camera as it just felt like more hassle than it was worth.

I what I have seen of these Chinese systems in the past, this definitely gives good sound quality and even the Bluetooth streaming works great. All steering wheel buttons work too and finally telephone conversations are clear and crisp.

Thanks for all the advice and comments along the way.