W204 Audio options

[aR53GP]

Hi All

I've been a BMW-owner for many years and know the E9x range inside out. However, I'm looking at a W204 C63 at the moment and I'm close to buying it.

I can't find any resource online that shows a good breakdown of what audio options where available in the W204. Audio 20, Audio 50, Comand - what does it all mean?

The car I've seen is advertised as having upgraded audio, and in the limited 2 minutes I had to listen to it it sounded very good. The speakers do not have Harmon Kardon printed on so I assume no HK. Maybe it's a 3rd party upgrade. I can't ask the seller as he's gone on holiday for a week.

Any beards able to advise please?

Thanks

[MX-5 Lazza]

My C220 W204 only has the "basic" Audio 20 but even that I find pretty good. It has plenty of bass and the music is clear. I'm not sure how many speakers, at least 6. I haven't experienced any of the upgrades but if they are better than mine then they should sound pretty good!

[eldar]

MX-5 Lazza said:

My C220 W204 only has the "basic" Audio 20 but even that I find pretty good. It has plenty of bass and the music is clear. I'm not sure how many speakers, at least 6. I haven't experienced any of the upgrades but if they are better than mine then they should sound pretty good!

My W204 has the Karmon Hardon audio, 14 speakers I think, and it is pretty impressive, plenty of volume and no distortion at anything less than truly anti-social levels.

That said, the basic audio is good, just not quite as surrounding.

[aR53GP]

Thanks both. I read a thread earlier that referenced a possibility of swapping the standard speakers for the HK ones quite easily.

I better get the car first!

[popeyewhite]

I have a 13 plate HK system in my E63. The system, with the exception of the speakers, is rubbish. I have installed (not personally you understand) another amp and sound processor which renders the audio pretty acceptable now. I can even alter the bass level of the sub, which was completely ineffectual before.

[irfan1712]

W204 C63 is either standard speakers or the HK. I believe there is Command on the earlier cars being the standard multi media system, and then theres Command Online on the later cars which incorporates online services through Mercedes like internet radio and an internet browser. the online part is completely pointless as it seems Merecedes use what seems like a Dial Up connection on their servers meaning what ever online feature you use is more or less pointless.

I tried a coupe with the HK and wasnt impressed at all. I went with a saloon with a better spec and lower miles, without the HK, and honestly i dont regret it at all. can always upgrade it yourself via a reptuable audio shop anyway.

trust me when i say if you buy a C63 you will hardly ever have the speakers on loud enough as you'll want to enjoy the sound, the interior is so well insulated it does hide a lot of that V8 noise.

[va1o]

My friend has a 13-plate W204 with COMAND and the standard speakers, sounds decent enough to me. Not as good as the HK I've got in my BMW but still notably better than the standard BMW audio systems.