Mercedes W203 replacement head unit

[alim8530]

Hi there

The audio system in my W203 is get a bit dated now, I have the Audio 20 system I believe in the facelifted W203

I am after a replacement headunit, I have read a 'double din' unit would fit and Alpine or Kenwood are pretty good

Ideally I would like to have Navigation and if possible DAB (although not sure how the aerial side of things would work) and phone connectivity for both audio and calls

I would be grateful on any pointers on which model to go?

Also can they be DIY installed or is it better I admit defeat and take it to a car audio place.

Many thanks

Alim

[sebhaque]

It's better to go to an audio specialist in all honesty, I have a W203 too and replaced the old radio with a single din unit but there were all sorts of adapters and wiring needed; the adapter for the steering wheel controls was ridiculously expensive. For the sake of having to buy in all the bits, I thought it best to chuck the guy an extra £20 and let him get tangled up in all the wires.

As for what unit to recommend, I've never had a double din unit before but I much prefer having a single din and a shelf underneath. I'll leave it to PHers who have double din jobbies to comment on that.

[ZX10R NIN]

Here's the surround & steering wheel control for a double din unit.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-C-Class-W203-Do...

If it's a facelift

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-C-Class-W204-Do...

Headunit wise I fitted a Pioneer SPH DA-120 which is an Android friendly headunit that basically becomes your phone so google maps is from your phone.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pioneer-SPH-DA120-Apple-...

Or if you want a built in one then the Clarion is a good unit at a decent price.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clarion-NX505E-6-2-Doubl...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clarion-NX505E-6-2-Doubl...

7" options
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PIONEER-AVIC-F980DAB-SAT...

[ITMan26]

If you prefer the stock look and want something with SatNav etc... you could get something like this (depends on what you want to spend)

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/XTRONS-Android-5-1-GPS-DAB...

A colleague at work asked me about upgrading his facelift W203 to a double din or Command unit as he wanted SatNav and he likes the Command I have in my W209. In the end i recommended he got one of the Android ones.. i installed it for him and he absolutely loves it.

It also looks alot more stock than using a fascia adapter. It all depends on what you want.

I am going to replace my Command with an Android one when the missus lets me

[alim8530]

I guess if I'm honest I'm looking for something that is good quality and there seems to be mixed reviews rather than more consistently good review for Alpine units

In an ideal world something like the Android unit with Alpine quality would be great but they seem not to exist.

Any recommendations on what would be the hw best Alpine unit that would fit a facelift w203 and who does the best fitting kit with a nice fascia adapter, steering controls etc

Thanks

[ZX10R NIN]

Did you look at the links I posted for you regarding the steering control & Facia? Because that's where you can buy them from.

[ITMan26]

alim8530 said:

I guess if I'm honest I'm looking for something that is good quality and there seems to be mixed reviews rather than more consistently good review for Alpine units

In an ideal world something like the Android unit with Alpine quality would be great but they seem not to exist.

Any recommendations on what would be the hw best Alpine unit that would fit a facelift w203 and who does the best fitting kit with a nice fascia adapter, steering controls etc

Thanks

I think the Dynavin units are supposed to be good quality but they are really expensive the W203 Dynavin is £600.

As said before it really depends on how much you want to spend and what you want it to look like. I personally am not keen on normal double din units with a fascia adapter as i do not think it suits the dash but that is just my opinion....

[ThePadd]

ITMan26 said:

If you prefer the stock look and want something with SatNav etc... you could get something like this (depends on what you want to spend)

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/XTRONS-Android-5-1-GPS-DAB...

A colleague at work asked me about upgrading his facelift W203 to a double din or Command unit as he wanted SatNav and he likes the Command I have in my W209. In the end i recommended he got one of the Android ones.. i installed it for him and he absolutely loves it.

It also looks alot more stock than using a fascia adapter. It all depends on what you want.

I am going to replace my Command with an Android one when the missus lets me

I like the look of these, and its time I have a Bluetooth handsfree that works! Anyone know anyone that actually has one of these that I can speak to? Is it a home fit job or do you need to be a techie with special tools/knowledge?

[-Mark3-]

I have a w203 and want to upgrade the stereo with satnav. How much would it cost to get one and have it fitted?

[ZX10R NIN]

I fitted the Pioneer SPH-da230DAB to W209 you'll need a facia surround & if you go on Connects2's website you can buy the Mercedes to ISO lead, it's pretty easy to fit but if you want it fitted it wont be to expensive.

https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&...

[Belle427]

I’m looking at upgrading the existing Audio 20 in my dads W203 2005 C Class, I intend to put in an aftermarket double din.
What I’m not sure about is if it has an existing amplifier, it has the standard system with no upgrade to my eyes.
The existing Audio 20 has the 2 orange fibre optic cables in the back of it, there is no cd changer installed but it does have what looks like a Nokia phone cradle in the armrest area.
Does anyone know if there is an easy way to tell if an amplifier is fitted as this complicates the fitting.
Thanks in advance.

Edited by Belle427 on Monday 6th April 14:39

[ZX10R NIN]

The amp will be in the boot somewhere if it has two orange cables then it'll have an amp. Take a quick look on youtube to find out exactly where the amp is.

[Wynn Duffy]

Speaking of phone cradle, in my W209 CLK, I have a Nokia 6510 in the cradle which connects through the Comand to give me a car phone. When I first got the car, it had a Audio 20 fitted, the phone still worked. My Father has a R230, with the Nokia 6210 cradle and phone. Both work fine.
https://www.commandonline.co.uk/ has lots of good information regarding Phones and Upgrades