W203 - Folding wing mirrors when you lock/unlock

[MTailor]

Hi all,

Does any know a way to get the mirrors on a W203 to fold in/ out when the car is locked and unlocked (by the key fob).

I have checked the settings on the instrument cluster for the option, but unfortunately it’s not present.

Does this need to be programmed by STAR?

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[BlackC55]

It depends what year 203 you have. The later ones can be programmed with a Star

 

[mersum1es]

Most likely same thing that with W211, door card must support the option. Early models does not have that, especially if no memory seats. By changing the door card and having mirror with fold motor, can be retrofitted.

 

[MTailor]

Thanks for the replies.

The W203 is a 2004 model.

It has the button for the folding mirrors (above the light switch).

Would STAR be able to program a late 2004 model?

I have noticed that if I press the 'fold in' button and immediately take the key out, the mirrors still fold in.
This makes me think the car supports option for the mirrors to fold in/out when the car is locked/unlocked.

 

[brucemillar]

My two penneth. Don't enable it. It eventually chomps through the wiring harness. You then end up with no folding money. Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[mersum1es]

Oh, you already have folding option...

OK, in W211 case solution was buy a new harness, then code the zgw and instrument cluster change year to newer. No idea what W203 needs.

W211 thread here
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/electronics/165705-w211-facelift-mirrors-retrofit-help.html

Like said, you'll face the broken mirror wire a bit sooner

 

[markjay]

My two penneth. Don't enable it. It eventually chomps through the wiring harness. You then end up with no folding money. Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

While you are correct regarding the wires, I had this mod done in 2010 and the wires finally gave up the ghost (on the passanger side) in 2013, so it does take a couple of years or so of regular use for this to happen.

And at any rate it took Olly less than 15 minutes to temove the cover and soldier the wires - so I'm good for another 3 years I guess

 

[markjay]

I had the following STAR mods done on my 2006 W203 (thanks again Alfie!):

Mirror fold/unfold on lock/unlock

Alarm beep on lock/unlock (set to 20% volume).

Show date on instrument cluster display (under the mileage figure).

Delete UK mode (shows outside temperature instead of speed at Km/h).

Show fuel quantity left in galons.

Tyre pressure monitoring system - TPMS (the ESP/ABS one, not the radio-sensor-based one).

And, if you have the Bi-Xenon lights, then it is also possible to activate the cornering fog lights option (I don't have that).

I suespct the most if not all of the above would work on any facelift model (I.e. 2004 upwards) though I am not sure.

Oh, yes, and you can also retrofit COMAND NTG2.5....

 

[MTailor]

Thanks to everyone for the replies and comments.

@Markjay
The STAR mods you have done all sound great.

Can you (or any member) recommend anyone with STAR in the London area who could do these upgrades to my W203?

 

[whitenemesis]

Alfie and Richard at Comand are the gurus when it comes to STAR coding. They are situated down in Lightwater. Well worth the drive

 

[Ironnike]

How much will basic STAR cost and best place to buy?

 

[markjay]

They come up on eBay from time to time and can cost anything from few hundred to a couple of thousands, depending on whether it's original or a clone, and whether the IBM/Lenovo laptop is included or not.

But some functions such as coding also require a valid MB subscription (which needs to be renewed annualy). Not sure how much the annual subscription costs.