W210 Bose system Audio 10 Headunit swap

[billywhiz]

Hi all,

Done a bit of reading on this and from what I can gather, another head unit with ISO connector block will fit and work in place of my Audio 10 Head unit > correct ? - Although it appears a bit of messing around with live from cigarette lighter is needed

I know I'll lose the boot CD compatibility and as the car is pre-facelift ( no steering wheel controls ) that's it.

But just to confirm, would the Bose amp/speakers all work ok ?

Has anyone changed the headunit with the OEM Bose system in place ?

TIA

 

[Deleted member 37751]

If yours is anything like my C32 with a Bose amp, you'll have to remove the lot and route new speaker wire direct from the new head unit to all the speakers.

 

[billywhiz]

- I had read the fibre optics on the merc system ( depending on what connectors etc ) kybosh things.

It seems that some have and some have not - was yours a facelift or pre ?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Mine is a 2001 W203.

It's not the fibre optics that are the problem per se, it's that the wires go from the head unit right to the back of the car where the amp is, then go back towards the front and split off into the speakers. In short, everything goes through the Bose amp.

Mine has been a fracking nightmare!

 

[billywhiz]

So in summary - an easy awesome job - not. - Bugger.

thx for the info

 

[npuk]

Depends if you have digital or analogue bose. If it is analogue BOSE it is easier to install an aftermarket headunit. If you have analogue BOSE you will see speaker wires connected to the second part of the iso socket. A digital BOSE system wouldnt have any speaker wires, just a fibre optic wire to the amp.

 

[Abdul]

My 2001 W208 clk430 had bose audio.

I simply spliced into the loom and used the permanent live feed for switched live. Didn't make a difference to me as I take the face off when I leave the car anyway so no dead batterys. Other then that it was plug and play.

Make sure you use a decent headunit with a reasonable eq as it'll sound really flat otherwise. The stock Bose system is EQ'd a fair bit as standard giving it a fuller sound.

edit: I'm pretty sure it had the audio 10 headunit as standard too.

 

[billywhiz]

ok, > update

Took out my Audio 10 head unit, saw it had the 3 blocks + the CD cable for the changer.

The unit I have to replace is an Alpine iDA X313. ( Ipod & USB lead ready ) - This already had an iso block connector on it.

Unplugged the 3 blocks from the Audio 10 didn't use the top block as presume this is for the CD ) - plugged in the 2 bottom block leads into the Apline ISO block.

Boom > Everything working and awesome sound. In fact sharper & louder than the Audio 10.

No live, so only works when ignition key is in, but that's absolute fine for me.

Now, in all I have left to route is the usb cable so I can plug in my USB stick on.

Anyway, job's a goodun and no messing.

*EDIT* - Just to add, this is on a pre-facelift W210, ( Non command etc ) so presume old style audio wiring setup.

 

[Auto-mobile]

Yes it will work but you won't be using the amp, you speakers are 2ohm and the stereo you have fitted will be 4ohm stable, but if your happy with sound that's fine, my c43 distorts when loud and loses bass top end, I switched my after market head unit for a very old standard merc unit and the sound is great, i just hate I have no option for iPod/mp3 etc, there is a pac unit that plugs between after market unit and stereo and integrates the amp but im struggling to find a stockist.

 

[billywhiz]

The sound to me sounds ok - in fact the bass is quite punchy. I was aware of the 2ohm/4ohm but I must say, pleasantly surprised at the sound, very clear, non-distort,

And what is even better is Mercedes very kindly already fitted a USB connector socket for me....

When I was looking to route the usb cable from the head unit, I saw in the ashtray a small blanking section > in fact it was usb sized, result. Simply fed the wire through and up, put head unit in place now all I have to do is put all my music on USB stick and plug in. - No holes cut, no wiring changed.

pic of usb sized blanking plate in Ashtray ( anyone know why it's there ? )

USB stick in it's new home

And Daa Laa