Retofitting 2.5 comand, best to have a car without.....

[gIzzE]

I have been thinking about swapping my A6 avant for another E class estate.
After trying an E250cdi and the E350cdi I have come to the conclusion that I actually prefer the W211!

So now thinking I should grab a facelift W211 Sport before all the low mileage examples disapear.

However, one I am looking at has the original comand and not the 2.5 unit.

I would like to put the 2.5 unit in, but would I be best to buy a car with the standard radio rather than one with the earlier comand?

Looking at the backs of the early units it looks like it is a brain rather than an all in one unit??
Where as the 2.5 looks like it is all in one??


They are coming back to me with figures today so any quick answers would be gratefully recieved.

 

[Benzowner]

I thought the 2.5 unit was in the early W220 S Class and a 2 was in the e class, probably wrong as usuall probably not even the same unit

 

[SilverSaloon]

Yes COMAND 2.5 looks like this:

for pre-faclift 215 and 220 only

 

[npuk]

Comand 2.5 and Comand NTG2.5 are completely different units. Comand NTG2.5 was only vailable from MY2009> cars. It is the latest unit with built in harddrive, full bluetooth, dvd, sd card reader etc.

Regarding what is best to go for whether you get one with Comand or audio 20 AFAIK they both have audio gateway in the boot where as like you said the NTG2.5 is an all in one unit so doesnt require the audio gateway. You will need to run cables from the boot back to the NTG2.5 in the front.

Retrofit parts needed for W211: Comand Online Ltd :: Mercedes SatNav/COMAND :: COMAND Retrofit parts :: W211 last E, W219 CLS

Best to contact the member Alfie on here (Comand Europe) who can advise you. [email protected]

Cars with Comand are priced higher so if your going to remove it anyway probably better just to get one with Audio 20.

Edit: W211 audio 20 doesnt have an AGW in the boot so the best option would be one without Comand.

 

[gIzzE]

Thanks.

Looking at that site it seems there is a retrofit harness for upgrading from the pre 2009 unit to the post 2009 unit. As long as it can be done that is fine.

I guess if I rip out the comand, nav drive and audio gateway it will fetch a few quid on ebay, plus the car I am liking the look of is only 40 miles from me which makes a nice change, usually they are 300 miles away.

It doesn't seem to be any more expensive than cars without comand.

What about coding, what is the cheapest way to code the nav if needed??
I mean buying a cable and software??

I use vagcom on an Audi, OPPS on BMW (which is a fortune) and is it star diagnosis or something on Merc? Can you buy a cable?? Does it need a MOST head making it silly money?? Can my local garage with Autologic code it??

Sorry for all the questions, but just trying to get my head round what is needed.

 

[npuk]

Alfie and Mark at Comand Europe in Surrey will be able to code it for you and do the retrofit if you wish. Otherwise you will need to find an independant with STAR who knows what they are doing.

You need a genuine Mercedes Benz STAR system to do anything with the NTG2.5 AFAIK.

 

[alibally]

You need to watch were you buy a NTG 2.5 unit as they are pin coded. If someone wants a second hand unit fitted dealers are suppost to check the serial numbers as they are often nicked as they are pricey units.

 

[shorty]

If your looking to buy a 211 then retro fit Comand 2.5 , then get one with audio 20 , with CD , not the early type with a tape deck . The Audio 20 with CD dont have an AGW , and this would make fitting easyer .