W211 - suggestions for head unit upgrade?

[Adamski151]

Hey all - just buying a Japanese import W211. Whats the latest suggestion for a new headunit that will fit nicely and have an aux to plug phone in, USB to charge etc.

I know there have been threads on this over the years but the tech keeps changing and improving - any recent users with good experiences?

Cheers!

Adam.

 

[Trickythemerc]

Pioneer for me every time.

 

[DSM10000]

Hey all - just buying a Japanese import W211. Whats the latest suggestion for a new headunit that will fit nicely and have an aux to plug phone in, USB to charge etc.

I know there have been threads on this over the years but the tech keeps changing and improving - any recent users with good experiences?

Cheers!

Adam.

Why would you want to use an Aux input?

All units you will be looking at will have Bluetooth streaming for music and telephone as well as Satnav plus on board storage for music files

 

[Adamski151]

Why would you want to use an Aux input?

All units you will be looking at will have Bluetooth streaming for music and telephone as well as Satnav plus on board storage for music files

Answer - partly because I listen to Hi-Res 24bit files from my phone which bluetooth cant handle.

 

[DSM10000]

Answer - partly because I listen to Hi-Res 24bit files from my phone which bluetooth cant handle.

Several Bluetooth codecs can support 24bit files.

Eg:

• aptX HD:
  An enhanced version of aptX, aptX HD supports higher bitrates (up to 576kbps) and higher audio resolution (24-bit/48kHz).
  
  
• LDAC:
  Sony's LDAC codec can transmit audio at up to 990kbps, offering the highest bitrate among standard Bluetooth codecs, and supports resolutions up to 24-bit/96kHz.
  
  
• LHDC:
  Another high-bitrate codec, LHDC can transmit audio up to 900kbps and supports 24-bit/96kHz resolution.

 

[fabes]

Cool

I used the LDAC on my old Sony VII but was unable (with old ears) to tell the difference myself (but as I said, old ears)

You'll be doing a speaker (and cable) upgrade as well I take it to hear the added clarity, frequencies and detail.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Cool

I used the LDAC on my old Sony VII but was unable (with old ears) to tell the difference myself (but as I said, old ears)

You'll be doing a speaker (and cable) upgrade as well I take it to hear the added clarity, frequencies and detail.

Well said.

As a flibbertigibbet who jumps between cars, the bigger sound quality issue to me, seems to be post head unit: ie. amplifier, cable and speakers, rather than the input.

So there’s a need to upgrade after the head unit, to capture high quality sound

That said, I always “plug in” to the Aux, purely to keep the phone charged

 

[fabes]

Err, aux doesn't charge.....

But I agree, cable and speakers are key components for optimal audio performance.
Just not for me cause of the age of my ears, albeit I do buy decent mid range earphones and headphones

Can't help on the OPs question on HU though

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Err, aux doesn't charge.....

Duh, mea culpa. Yes, I'm plugging in to USB, not Aux, which opens up the whole CarPlay / WAZE / Spotify world as well, either through bluetooth or cable.

 

[alabbasi]

Hey all - just buying a Japanese import W211. Whats the latest suggestion for a new headunit that will fit nicely and have an aux to plug phone in, USB to charge etc.

I know there have been threads on this over the years but the tech keeps changing and improving - any recent users with good experiences?

Cheers!

Adam.

Have you checked the globe box for an aux input? They should already have it

 

[Gollom]

Have you checked the globe box for an aux input? They should already have it

Unlikely on a 2008 W211. Although I understand it is not difficult to add on into the existing quadblock?

 

[WilliamMaldivess211]

Unlikely on a 2008 W211. Although I understand it is not difficult to add on into the existing quadblock?

My 2008 s211 has an old Apple cable in the glovebox which I use with an old iPod. Is that not an Aux? Tbh I normally just use the 6CD changer

 

[DSM10000]

Unlikely on a 2008 W211. Although I understand it is not difficult to add on into the existing quadblock?

My 2008 W211 with the basic head unit had an Aux socket in the glove box

 

[alabbasi]

Have you checked the globe box for an aux input? They should already have it

My 05 W211 CDI has an aux port in the glove box. I'm pretty sure that they all did. I wired in USB to the glove box by tapping the cigarette lighter and installed one of these so I could get Bluetooth. I picked one that specifically did not take calls as I just wanted music over Bluetooth but there are others that have microphones.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HDO66NK

 

[alabbasi]

Unlikely on a 2008 W211. Although I understand it is not difficult to add on into the existing quadblock?

My 05 W211 CDI has an aux port in the glove box. I'm pretty sure that they all did. I wired in USB to the glove box by tapping the cigarette lighter and installed one of these so I could get Bluetooth. I picked one that specifically did not take calls as I just wanted music over Bluetooth but there are others that have microphones.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HDO66NK

 

[Gollom]

My 2008 W211 with the basic head unit had an Aux socket in the glove box

What do I know! LOL

Mine didn't have one

 

[DSM10000]

What do I know! LOL

Mine didn't have one

From previous reading it may have been an option. Mercedes are not know for their largesse!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

What do I know! LOL

Mine didn't have one

I reckon you’re reflecting the European market.

I’ve owned too many Noughties Mercs. (E’s, SL’s and S’s) to be certain, but my impression was that aux input was an option which could be missing, could be in the glove box, or in the central console (between the two front seats)

But whatever, go to buy one and you’ll soon see where it is on any given car.

 

[PaulG]

I reckon you’re reflecting the European market.

I’ve owned too many Noughties Mercs. (E’s, SL’s and S’s) to be certain, but my impression was that aux input was an option which could be missing, could be in the glove box, or in the central console (between the two front seats)

But whatever, go to buy one and you’ll soon see where it is on any given car.

That's correct. My 2004 W211 does not have an aux input in the glove box. I have instead removed the 6 disc CD player and installed a bluetooth box (audio and phone via BT) in the hidden compartment that housed it.

 

[SL03WLY]

That's correct. My 2004 W211 does not have an aux input in the glove box. I have instead removed the 6 disc CD player and installed a bluetooth box (audio and phone via BT) in the hidden compartment that housed it.
View attachment 174505

This^^ I went through that whole headunit battle and its just not worth it. When with cheap android headunit then an expensive Kenwood unit and still got constant static sounds no matter what I did. Put it all back to OE and fitted the Mr12Volt kit. Best and dare I say only audio upgrade for the W211 that has most fibre setup.

for mine I tried to do a better job but buying a used cd changer for £10 just so I can use the plug harness from it the hook up this unit and then plug it into the power socket of the cd changer. so no major wire splicing etc.