W203 Audio / Navigation dilemna

[Alex Argent]

Well folks, following all of the excellent advice received on here (special thanks to Richard, Nibbo & Alfie), I finally fitted an MC3010 autochanger to the Audio 10 with virtually no hassle whatsoever. In fact the most difficult part was trying to replace the drivers footwell cover at the very end of the job .

However, I am very disillusioned with the quality of the stock head unit and speakers. I have now made the decision to upgrade this to something a bit more in line with what the car (and my ears) deserve. Whilst I'm doing this, it will obviously be preferable to add a sat nav system.

The options I have are as follows:-

1) Retrofit Comand 2.0 unit + upgrade speakers

2) Retrofit Audio 30 unit + upgrade speakers

3) Install nearly new VDO CD3200 + brand new VDO 10 disk changer (both already owned ) + fascia adaptor + upgrade speakers + use my existing TomTom 910

The preference (disregarding cost aspects at this stage) is in the order stated - from top down!

Having stripped out most of the dash and drivers side trim and gained access to the D2B and Canbus connections to install the cd changer, I am now very confident of doing this upgrade myself.

However before committing myself, I have a few questions;-

• Is the model Comand I need A203 820 96 89? Looking through Richards excellent website, there seems to be approximately 4 different models that will fit the (pre face-lift) W203.

• Do all retro-fitted Comand units + dash display need to be activated by the dealer using Star diagnosis?

• How does the sound quality of the Comand 2.0 or Audio 30 head units compare to that of the stock Audio 10 (bearing in mind the primary objective of the upgrade is to improve the sound quality and not necessarily to have integrated SatNav and various other advantages that Comand is able to offer - although that will obviously be nice to have )

• Is the Audio 30 APS DVD software or CD ROM? I have a chance of getting hold of a model BE4716 for 'not a lot of money'. Is this the latest model?

• I do not want to go overboard with speaker upgrading - certainly Bose is out of the question. I was thinking more of custom fit Pioneer, Sony etc. However, having simply removed the speakers from my old W202 in about 30 minutes for all, it looks on the W203 as though the entire door card needs to be removed to gain access to the door speakers. Can somebody confirm this please....or am I missing something?

• Is it worthwhile replacing the single 'down-firing' sub-woofer fitted to the near side of the rear parcel shelf? Amazingly, for its size, it doesn't sound too bad! Maybe I could add a second similar unit to the other side of the parcel shelf

Any advice, help and suggestions gladly received

Alfie.....If you have the correct Comand 2.0 unit in stock, will you pm me a price + delivery please.

Richard......your past help and your website has been invaluable. Any other advice won't go amiss!

Nibbo.......You've already been here with a W203. Anything to look out for apart from what's already obvious and/or what you have covered previously?


Thanks guys......the mods have started :bannana: :bannana: :bannana:

Alex

 

[Alex Argent]

Update......

..........well now. I've just committed to buying an Audio 30 APS unit including latest European Navigation software and GPS antenna.......for, well not a lot I hope :bannana:

The model is BE4718 and was certainly advertised as suitable for the pre-facelift W203. I certainly hope so but I'm sure it's correct as it has the partially rounded top, whereas the 2004 - on has an 'inverted' top curve.

It seemed to be too good to miss, and whilst Comand would have been very nice, it's clearly a lot less hassle to install and at least it will save having to constantly remove and replace the TomTom, .

...........and it leaves a bit more cash in the pot for those speaker upgrades

I'll keep you posted with developments (delivery time quoted at 7 - 10 days ).

Ciao,

Alex

 

[Alex Argent]

Removal of speaker covers

Anyone know if it's possible to remove the speaker covers in a W203 by just giving them a sharp tug?

Or does the entire door card have to be removed (which I think is necessary to actually remove the speaker units) to get access to them? I want to upgrade the speakers to aftermarket custom fits this coming weekend, and it would be useful to see what I'm in for prior to starting (and which size speakers I need!).

Thanks in advance .

Alex

 

[Nibbo]

Alex

Pretty sure you need to remove the door card.

This link (thanks Shude) shows how to do it for a W202 but a W203 is pretty much the same.
The only differences are that the door locking pin needs to be removed (this just unscrews) and the top speaker cover needs to be pulled off to allow the card to be lifted upwards.

 

[M5CLK]

I recently upgrade from Audio 30 APS to COMAND 2.0 and from Bose speakers (only front and back doors while keeping the center and woofer) to MB Quart. There isn't much difference on audio quality from Audio 30 to COMAND, but a HUGE difference when the speaker upgrade.

The factory bose was just bad and made from paper! Even the low end MB Quart I put in sound so much better. And yes, the entire door panel has to be removed to get to the speaker, the tweaker though can be access without removing. Headunit isn't your problem in my opinion, it's your speakers

I have the Audio 30 APS laying around (with the bottom tray) if you want No scatch, perfect working order and it's yours for US$300 shipped courier from Hong Kong I can include the owner's manual but NO Navi disc available PM me if you're interested

 

[Alex Argent]

I recently upgrade from Audio 30 APS to COMAND 2.0 and from Bose speakers (only front and back doors while keeping the center and woofer) to MB Quart. There isn't much difference on audio quality from Audio 30 to COMAND, but a HUGE difference when the speaker upgrade.

The factory bose was just bad and made from paper! Even the low end MB Quart I put in sound so much better. And yes, the entire door panel has to be removed to get to the speaker, the tweaker though can be access without removing. Headunit isn't your problem in my opinion, it's your speakers

I have the Audio 30 APS laying around (with the bottom tray) if you want No scatch, perfect working order and it's yours for US$300 shipped courier from Hong Kong I can include the owner's manual but NO Navi disc available PM me if you're interested

Thanks for that M5CLK .

I have actually already bought the Audio 30 APS yesterday off eBay. It was advertised as brand new, with GPS antenna and version 9 software disks.....all for £175.00, which is why I decided to go down this road, and surrender my whim towards Comand.

Despite what I said in my first post above, I now have a rekindled interest in adding a Bose amp to the Audio 30, and also there are a couple of 165mm Bose speakers currently advertised (also paper cone drivers ). If what you're saying is that MB Quart speakers are performing better than the Bose units, perhaps I had ought to consider these or revert to my original proposal of custom fit Pioneers or similar.

Thanks for the pictures - I was there last week fitting the autochanger.

As a matter of interest, I was also in Hong Kong the week before that :bannana: . (I'm assuming from the content of your post, that's where you're based). Took the missus and stepson to Disneyland on Lantau.....absolutely brilliant . A bit wobbly after coming off 'Space Mountain' though . I was never one for fast rides (at least where I'm not in control).

As a matter of even more interest, the guy I bought the W203 from a few weeks back also now lives in Hong Kong (job move, hence car sale). We met up for a few drinks one night in Hari's Bar (Holiday Inn, Nathan Road), and I felt a lot worse after that compared to the shenanigans up on Space Mountain .

Thanks again,

Alex

 

[M5CLK]

Hmm.. The D2B connection on the Bose digital amp would be a nightmare if retrofit, besides Bose is 2 ohm instead of 4, it actually cust my MB Quart power in half

But I guess the best route for you is to upgrade the speakers with the Audio 30 and see if you like it first, you can always go back and install the amp if you're not happy.

And haha, talk about small world Give me a PM if you're ever in town again and I'll take you out for a drink

 

[Alex Argent]

Hmm.. The D2B connection on the Bose digital amp would be a nightmare if retrofit, besides Bose is 2 ohm instead of 4, it actually cust my MB Quart power in half

But I guess the best route for you is to upgrade the speakers with the Audio 30 and see if you like it first, you can always go back and install the amp if you're not happy.......

Point taken! You are of course dead correct. The way to go is speaker upgrades first......

And haha, talk about small world Give me a PM if you're ever in town again and I'll take you out for a drink.......

I might just take you up on that. You'll have to put it on ice (no pun intended) though, as it probably won't be until about this time next year.

Thanks for your input anyway. I'll let you know how it all goes :bannana:

Cheers,

Alex

 

[kokeilut]

How much do you ask for your old Audio 10? I have just bought C240 with Japanese spec Comand from Japan which I will late take to Europe. I will need a new radio in Europe because Japanese spec unit is useless in there (different frequency band). I am just looking for a workable solution to get a radio and possibly use the CD changer + AUX in which are already in the glove box.

 

[Stratman]

Real dummy here; what's the difference between Comand, Audio 30 APS and Audio 30?

Just when I was about to take the leap with a Comand retrofit I find that there is another option, or is there?

 

[miro]

Real dummy here; what's the difference between Comand, Audio 30 APS and Audio 30?

Just when I was about to take the leap with a Comand retrofit I find that there is another option, or is there?

APS includes navigation functions. Audio 30 is a nicer version of the basic radio which has more buttons for CD changer and phone.

 

[HughJarse]

How much do you ask for your old Audio 10? I have just bought C240 with Japanese spec Comand from Japan which I will late take to Europe. I will need a new radio in Europe because Japanese spec unit is useless in there (different frequency band). I am just looking for a workable solution to get a radio and possibly use the CD changer + AUX in which are already in the glove box.

You can buy an aeriel extender which just plugs in - I know this works as I imported my mx5 from Japan and fitted one... I dont think it would bother the comand as all it does is shift the frequency. The dont cost much either

Im talking about one of these...
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/125