Gerrard
New Member
Hi everyone,
I recently purchased a ’02 CLK (W209) with an Audio 10 Cassette and 6 CD changer in the glove box. I was disappointed, but really not surprised that it couldn’t play MP3’s nor read CD-RWs (I haven’t tried CDRs, but I don’t think it plays those either). As such, I thought I would look into upgrading the head unit to something a bit more capable and whilst I was at it future proof it a bit with DAB. I liked the look of the Pioneer 8500 as it was on offer at Halfords and had the bonus of Bluetooth for hands-free as well. However, whilst researching what I would need to get the steering column controls to work with it, I noticed a couple of comments on the Bose system. Having researched that a bit more today, I see that this could make things more tricky and expensive.
My understanding of the system is that that HU interfaces with the Bose amp in the boot via a D2B fibre link (my model is too early for MOST I believe). There’s also a D2B link to the CD changer. The Bose amp then powers the 7(?) speakers, but the speakers are non-standard ratings (3 Ohms I believe) and don’t even have standard fittings.
So was basically wondering what my options were considering I only wanted to upgrade the HU?
1. Find some sort of adaptor from the HU to D2B to use the Bose amp. This would be ideal, but my research hasn’t really turned anything up.
2. Instead of the above, I take the Bose amp apart and try to somehow bypass the fibre optic control part. The chances of succeeding at this is pretty remote though I think, although I do have people here at work capable with the PCB equipment if need be!
3.Replace the amp with something more standard. Most admit, this is about as far as I’ve got with my research so far before posting this. I’m not much of an audiophile, so I wouldn’t be looking for anything that powerful or amazing. However, I’m not sure about being able to match one to the Bose speakers.
3b. Bypass the amp altogether and rewire the speakers directly to the HU. Again, similar problem to the above, plus more wiring!
4. If the above can’t work, replace the speakers. At this point, I would probably skip the amp altogether. I would probably also leave the two rear door speakers and centre one out as well to leave 4 speakers.
5. Somehow piggy-back into the current HU through the CD changer lead, but think that’ll throw up the same D2B adaptor problem as 1.
6. I get a new COMMAND system, but I think it would be cheaper to replace everything else.
7. I get one of those awful tape things with the 3.5mm jack!
I have a feeling that options 3b or 4 will be the way forward, but will have to research how easy it would be to run new wires for the speakers, and that new speakers would actually fit in the supposedly non-standard fittings. Oh, and how much it would all cost...
Thanks in advance for any advice on this.
I recently purchased a ’02 CLK (W209) with an Audio 10 Cassette and 6 CD changer in the glove box. I was disappointed, but really not surprised that it couldn’t play MP3’s nor read CD-RWs (I haven’t tried CDRs, but I don’t think it plays those either). As such, I thought I would look into upgrading the head unit to something a bit more capable and whilst I was at it future proof it a bit with DAB. I liked the look of the Pioneer 8500 as it was on offer at Halfords and had the bonus of Bluetooth for hands-free as well. However, whilst researching what I would need to get the steering column controls to work with it, I noticed a couple of comments on the Bose system. Having researched that a bit more today, I see that this could make things more tricky and expensive.
My understanding of the system is that that HU interfaces with the Bose amp in the boot via a D2B fibre link (my model is too early for MOST I believe). There’s also a D2B link to the CD changer. The Bose amp then powers the 7(?) speakers, but the speakers are non-standard ratings (3 Ohms I believe) and don’t even have standard fittings.
So was basically wondering what my options were considering I only wanted to upgrade the HU?
1. Find some sort of adaptor from the HU to D2B to use the Bose amp. This would be ideal, but my research hasn’t really turned anything up.
2. Instead of the above, I take the Bose amp apart and try to somehow bypass the fibre optic control part. The chances of succeeding at this is pretty remote though I think, although I do have people here at work capable with the PCB equipment if need be!
3.Replace the amp with something more standard. Most admit, this is about as far as I’ve got with my research so far before posting this. I’m not much of an audiophile, so I wouldn’t be looking for anything that powerful or amazing. However, I’m not sure about being able to match one to the Bose speakers.
3b. Bypass the amp altogether and rewire the speakers directly to the HU. Again, similar problem to the above, plus more wiring!
4. If the above can’t work, replace the speakers. At this point, I would probably skip the amp altogether. I would probably also leave the two rear door speakers and centre one out as well to leave 4 speakers.
5. Somehow piggy-back into the current HU through the CD changer lead, but think that’ll throw up the same D2B adaptor problem as 1.
6. I get a new COMMAND system, but I think it would be cheaper to replace everything else.
7. I get one of those awful tape things with the 3.5mm jack!
I have a feeling that options 3b or 4 will be the way forward, but will have to research how easy it would be to run new wires for the speakers, and that new speakers would actually fit in the supposedly non-standard fittings. Oh, and how much it would all cost...
Thanks in advance for any advice on this.
