Replace Audio 20 - Plug and Play Alternative

[E55BOF]

I've just bought a 2008 CLK350. It has a basic Audio 20 unit (no pohone, no CD changer), which has the screen peel problem. It works perfectly, but looks bad. I need to replace it...

I assume that the car does not have the fibre optic MOST setup, so the head unit is basically plug and play. I want to fit a plug and play head unit with CD and USB/SD card capability, and ideally Bluetooth so I can use my iPhone handsfree, but I don't need Android or Apple Carplay, and I'd prefer not a touchscreen because that would look out of place in the fascia.

The only one I've found that might do is this VW unit: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196305711...Bk9SR4yNqqPOYw

but I'm a spanner wielder, and a beginner when it comes to electronics. Would that do? Does anybody have any suggestions for a unit that would do the job? Please help...

 

[Trickythemerc]

Dynavin springs to mind for a low cost plug and play. I did the full Pioneer install at over a grand,

 

[E55BOF]

They're all touchscreen, though, with lots of features. I'm really after something simpler that looks, well, older...

 

[Flyinspanner]

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The Xtrons units look very “factory” and give you a host of extra functionality, you can have proper Sat nav, add reversing cameras etc. (Erisin units similar)

 

[E55BOF]

The VW unit won't do, so back to the search. There are plenty of Chinese units on eBay, but most claim to fit the W203 also. ISTR reading that the W203 is very nearly, but not quite, the same shape, so won't fit perfectly. Am I imagining this?

 

[E55BOF]

Stop Press: Found it! Mine has the 254 mm top measurement, not the 260, so now I know what I'm looking for. I have a fitting kit with the correct top measurement, so I may end up with a standard double DIN unit. The search goes on...

 

[poormansporsche]

I wouldn't just assume you have the standard audio 20 as they all look the same. Before you buy a replacement unit poke your head in the boot and look at the bottom of where the speakers covers are. If you have foam in both round holes and no speakers you are fine. If there is a speaker in one side or both then you have a amplified system which opens up a whole world of fibre optic / MOST pain. Just because your speaker covers don't say Harmon Kardon doesn't mean they are not. Ask me how I know, grrrrr.

 

[E55BOF]

The datacard doesn't indicate Harmann Kardon was fitted, and it's a convertible, so there are no speakers in the rear shelf either.

 

[DSM10000]

The datacard doesn't indicate Harmann Kardon was fitted, and it's a convertible, so there are no speakers in the rear shelf either.

You may need to buy a convertor to connect any new unit to the MB loom.

Comand on line would be able to advise

 

[E55BOF]

I have an ISO adapter already.

 

[SpikyMikey]

I have an ISO adapter already.

Does your car have/are you planning to use the steering wheel controls?

 

[poormansporsche]

The datacard doesn't indicate Harmann Kardon was fitted, and it's a convertible, so there are no speakers in the rear shelf either.

Ooo look at you with your data card

Result

 

[SpikyMikey]

If you don't really want a touchscreen unit, why are you going double DIN? With a single DIN fitting kit, you could fit a retro-ish looking Blaupunkt with the CD, USB and Bluetooth features you're looking for.

 

[E55BOF]

If you don't really want a touchscreen unit, why are you going double DIN? With a single DIN fitting kit, you could fit a retro-ish looking Blaupunkt with the CD, USB and Bluetooth features you're looking for.
View attachment 155292

Bless you, my son, for your suggestion of a Blaupunkt.

That one won't quite do - no old-fashioned SD card, and I keep all my car music on SD cards - but I like the retro look of the Blaupunkts, so I did a little digging.

Ta-daaah... Blaupunkt Stockholm 370, everything I want, no out-of-place whizzo gaudy touchscreen, brand new but half original price (probably old stock; what sort of old fart wants an SD card, but no touchscreen, these days? Oh...) at Dynamic Sounds.

Thank you again.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Bless you, my son, for your suggestion of a Blaupunkt.

That one won't quite do - no old-fashioned SD card, and I keep all my car music on SD cards - but I like the retro look of the Blaupunkts, so I did a little digging.

Ta-daaah... Blaupunkt Stockholm 370, everything I want, no out-of-place whizzo gaudy touchscreen, brand new but half original price (probably old stock; what sort of old fart wants an SD card, but no touchscreen, these days? Oh...) at Dynamic Sounds.

Thank you again.

No worries
Blaupunkt has that German connection too.
I've fitted Kenwood stuff before which is great, but looks a bit out of place in German cars IMO.
I've used fitting kits like this before too (although not in a Merc).
Not the cheapest option but gives you everything you need
InCarTec FK-258 Mercedes CLK Single Din Car Stereo Fitting Kit (MATT BLACK)
Edit: that kit isn't necessarily the correct one for your car; there are several versions available. Best give the supplier a call to get the right one if you decide to go that route.

 

[Trickythemerc]

I love my 180 gig SD card and my touch screen Pioneer set up

 

[rf065]

I assume that the car does not have the fibre optic MOST setup, so the head unit is basically plug and play.

Pretty sure the fibre optic MOST setup was standard after the facelifted CLK in 2005/06.

 

[SpikyMikey]

I love my 180 gig SD card and my touch screen Pioneer set up

I fitted a Kenwood Flip touchscreen to one of my vans. Fabulous piece of kit but a challenging install as all 'the works' were in a separate unit which I mounted under the passenger seat along with the additional cd drive for the sat nav.

 

[E55BOF]

Pretty sure the fibre optic MOST setup was standard after the facelifted CLK in 2005/06.

With COMAND, yes.

However, the Audio 20 I have is the Plain Jane single CD unit, with no COMAND, no phone prewiring, no CD changer, and no Harman Kardon or Bose audio amplifier setup, so I'm expecting it will not have a MOST setup - no need. If it does turn out to have it, I'll just fit a bypass loop (£10-15); I'm not bothered whether the steering wheel controls work or not, and the Blaupunkt will be fine stand-alone, which is what I wanted in the first place.

 

[E55BOF]

No worries
Blaupunkt has that German connection too.
I've fitted Kenwood stuff before which is great, but looks a bit out of place in German cars IMO.
I've used fitting kits like this before too (although not in a Merc).
Not the cheapest option but gives you everything you need
InCarTec FK-258 Mercedes CLK Single Din Car Stereo Fitting Kit (MATT BLACK)
Edit: that kit isn't necessarily the correct one for your car; there are several versions available. Best give the supplier a call to get the right one if you decide to go that route.

I have a Dynamic Sounds doube DIN fitting kit already, and it will fit the 'ole left by the old Audio 20 perfectly - 254 as opposed to 260 mm upper edge. I'll send it back and swap it for a single DIN kit, and the rest will be easy.