W211 Headunit replacement

[ChrisEdu]

I've had a search through various threads, but not been able to find an answer to my questions.

As my son is about to put a Kenwood 5020DABS unit into his Ford, it's got me thinking about the Comand unit in my 2007 W211.

I like the idea of having something more modern and able to link with my phone for things like music, navigation, etc..

Currently, my car has the stacking CD unit, DVD player, satnav, etc.. Ideally, I'd like to still have control from the steering wheel, which I know is fairly straightforward. The ability to potentially add parking cameras appeals too.

As such, I'm considering something from the likes of Kenwood, Alpine, or Pioneer. However, I'm wondering what happens about things you normally access via Comand, eg changing the time?

Thanks for any input.

 

[m80]

When I've gone from Comand to Android, but with less expensive Chinese units, the only way to set the clock is reconnect the battery at 12 O'clock or connect it to star.

If yours has Harman Kardon the changing becomes more complex due to he additional amp.

 

[ChrisEdu]

When I've gone from Comand to Android, but with less expensive Chinese units, the only way to set the clock is reconnect the battery at 12 O'clock or connect it to star.

If yours has Harman Kardon the changing becomes more complex due to he additional amp.

I don't have the HK speaker system.

 

[AndrewOl]

It is certainly doable and an interesting project if you fancy it. The more expensive units from Alpine and the like get a better name than the cheaper android units but some swear by them. You will certainly get more functionality with any modern unit but the integration will generally not be as slick as with the oem unit.

 

[ChrisEdu]

It is certainly doable and an interesting project if you fancy it. The more expensive units from Alpine and the like get a better name than the cheaper android units but some swear by them. You will certainly get more functionality with any modern unit but the integration will generally not be as slick as with the oem unit.

Integration in what way?

 

[AndrewOl]

Steering wheel controls, central display, clock setting, CD player. That sort of stuff.

 

[ChrisEdu]

Steering wheel controls, central display, clock setting, CD player. That sort of stuff.

I'm hoping that, if I go ahead, using an adapter specifically for the car/unit combo should mitigate those issues as much as possible.

 

[m80]

With Chinese,
steering controls are no issue,
the dash mimic of sat nav is non existant,
I don't see how, or why tbh, there would be cd integration. They come with 32 gig internal memory and anything over 4 gig in there and it's too difficult to find the album you're looking for. That's in the region of 30+ albums.

DSP gives good sound.
Dash cam and reverse cam all automatic.
Add apps as desired. I run torque routinely.
BT no issue, but the unit mic's are pretty naff so I add an o/h mic (within the o/h light). BT music no issue.

For me it's always out with Comand and in with Chinese, 9" in the Viano, 7" in the 211.

 

[ChrisEdu]

With Chinese,
steering controls are no issue,
the dash mimic of sat nav is non existant,
I don't see how, or why tbh, there would be cd integration. They come with 32 gig internal memory and anything over 4 gig in there and it's too difficult to find the album you're looking for. That's in the region of 30+ albums.

DSP gives good sound.
Dash cam and reverse cam all automatic.
Add apps as desired. I run torque routinely.
BT no issue, but the unit mic's are pretty naff so I add an o/h mic (within the o/h light). BT music no issue.

For me it's always out with Comand and in with Chinese, 9" in the Viano, 7" in the 211.

Why the preference for a Chinese unit over the likes of Alpine, Kenwood, etc? I'd it purely a price issue?

 

[m80]

I'd it purely a price issue?

Mainly id is.
£250 is perhaps 1/6 the cost of the superior names.
As the Chinese units are now of very acceptable quality I see it is worth the punt. I have sent a few back over the years though, but with eBay policies, even Paypal, it's generally their problem if I have a problem and find it early enough.

The designer HU's are generally generic, as are the Chinese stuff, but the Chinese size theirs to be an oem fit, w/o frame adapters.

The canbus adapters are good from the off, I would 'assume' those with the nice name would need manufacturer specific (even model specific) adapter.

I can't comment on the comparison of sound quality, but with all the additional noises while driving, and that can include the passenger seat with a loose jaw, I'm not sure true hi fi is attainable at the ear. DSP is clearly an advantage I've noticed though.

But in short they do a v good job, they look excellent when fitted, certainly compared to the 2014 Comand from the Viano they are far superior.

Some years ago Dynavin started to develop a good name. They were the Chinese kit rebranded but at well over 2x price. Their's was clever marketing.
Are JVC, Kenwood, Pioneer so superior in the real world?

 

[m80]

May be on interest

 

[ChrisEdu]

May be on interest

That 211 unit does look very close, style wise, to the OEM unit.

 

[PaulG]

That 211 unit does look very close, style wise, to the OEM unit.

Yes the android unit is made to look like the original head unit.
I have been looking at this one…
Erisin ES8180E 7" Android 10.0 Car DVD DSP CarPlay & Auto GPS TPMS DAB+ 4G for Benz E-Class W211 W463 W219

There is an extra cable that is needed for those with fibre. I will also get the DAB aerial as I find that the AM reception on my W211 can be flaky as the aerial is in the rear is In the rear window rather than external.

I did speak to my local car stereo specialists but the non Android units are considerably more. I’m yet to make up my mind as I currently use a FM transmitter and wouldn’t mind keeping the original unit.