All the parts needed for a COMAND (MM) retrofit:

[vic viper]

Originally Posted by BenTrovato I just got back from MB.. they won't do the COMAND install, won't even attempt it. UMI installed was just over $2000. This is terrible! Install it yourself?

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

[Diesel Benz]

Originally Posted by vic viper

Install it yourself?

But you had an MB technician install your Comand.

[BenTrovato]

Originally Posted by vic viper

Install it yourself?

I'm not that good with dismantling a car. Vic are you planning any trips to Toronto? I'll pay for your round trip flight if you install it for me

[vic viper]

Originally Posted by BenTrovato

I'm not that good with dismantling a car. Vic are you planning any trips to Toronto? I'll pay for your round trip flight if you install it for me

Sounds tempting, always wanted to visit US and Canada

But seriously, you must know someone a tad closer who know his way around a car, with some basic technical knowhow it isnt that hard, the hardest part is the blower, but even that is fairly easy if you have long arms

[woedee]

@ vic: do you know if the MY10 w204 COMAND system is different from previous years (was the hardware updated in MY10)?

[vic viper]

No difference in hardware

[woedee]

That's good news. Reason why I ask: Here in the States, MY10 w204 COMAMD's have traffic data enabled (known as TMC in ECE, and available since inital release). Unfortunately MY08-09's do not have traffic data. Since there hasn't been any hardware updates, I now strongly suspect that it may be a matter of firmware update to enable traffic.

[mirage15]

Originally Posted by vic viper

Sounds tempting, always wanted to visit US and Canada

But seriously, you must know someone a tad closer who know his way around a car, with some basic technical knowhow it isnt that hard, the hardest part is the blower, but even that is fairly easy if you have long arms

+1 It really isn't *that* bad of an install. Basic common sense and a couple of screwdrivers will get you through it. Vics write up is very good.

[Nuru]

+2, i did it too. While Vic was doing his. The Upgrade to Factory Nav thread started by ODU, has a lot of information to help Do it yourselfers

[Mike_2011]

I just got my HU and monitor from ebay but the 7 inch monitor in the bottom has 3 loose black cables is that like that or are my wires broken?

[vic viper]

Originally Posted by Mike_2011

I just got my HU and monitor from ebay but the 7 inch monitor in the bottom has 3 loose black cables is that like that or are my wires broken?

If there is no connector at the end of those cables I assume something is broken.
Can you shoot a picture of it?

[Mike_2011]

Originally Posted by vic viper

If there is no connector at the end of those cables I assume something is broken.
Can you shoot a picture of it?

Here is a shot

[vic viper]

That doesnt look good, that unit is broken

[Mike_2011]

Originally Posted by vic viper

That doesnt look good, that unit is broken

So its missing a connector or are they soldered somewhere? What does this cable exactly do?

[Nuru]

That really does not look good and if that is a 2008 Monitor, made before December 2008, those apparently were a lot of trouble - according to the dealers i have spoken to.

[dissern]

VIC,

I live in Oslo, Norway, and have plans to install the Comand APS system in my 2008 C200CDI - W204. I have already bought the HU and display and am thinking of getting hold of the other parts you are referring to in the parts list in your first post.

I've contacted a few dealerships, and the response from them all are like these examples:

"It's impossible"
"You will have to change control units all over the car"
"It will never work 100 %"
"It will be extremely expensive"
"Sell the car, and buy a new car with factory installed Comand APS is the only way"
"The retrofit will take at least a week in the workshop, and it won't work even after this"

From your DIY it does look at bit complicated, but I just can't believe it is as impossible as the dealerships are telling me - what is your take on this?!

[vic viper]

My guess is that the dealerships are thinking about a W211 Comand retrofit, that is truly a complicated install, but still very doable.

the 204 has a completely different telematics system and as you can see the retrofit isnt that bad, I have done two Comand retrofits and about a dozen UMI installs, and the Comand retrofit is easier,

Tell the dealerships that there is a WIS document covering the whole retrofit, document number is: an82.85-p-0004cw

[mirage15]

Originally Posted by dissern

VIC,

"It's impossible"
"You will have to change control units all over the car"
"It will never work 100 %"
"It will be extremely expensive"
"Sell the car, and buy a new car with factory installed Comand APS is the only way"
"The retrofit will take at least a week in the workshop, and it won't work even after this"

From your DIY it does look at bit complicated, but I just can't believe it is as impossible as the dealerships are telling me - what is your take on this?!

I would have to say that everything that they have told you is incorrect. The retrofit is actually the same or cheaper than UMI. I retrofitted a Euro unit in my US car and it works 100%, including Sirius. While I wouldn't classify this as easy... it certainly isn't difficult if you take your time and follow the writeups and posts that we have had discussing all of this.

[dissern]

VIC! Thanks alot for the document reference, that's just great.

I was quite clear in stating year and make and chassis version W204 when I was talking to the dealers, so I am a bit puzzled at whether it is just lack of knowledge or just a reluctance to take on the job.

I've managed to get hold of a stereo shop in Oslo which are familiar with Comand upgrades, so hopefully it will work out. It's still a bit strange that the dealers won't do this though, I am willing to pay a fair amount for a proper installation.

Thanks again!

[vic viper]

Originally Posted by dissern

VIC! Thanks alot for the document reference, that's just great.

I was quite clear in stating year and make and chassis version W204 when I was talking to the dealers, so I am a bit puzzled at whether it is just lack of knowledge or just a reluctance to take on the job.

I've managed to get hold of a stereo shop in Oslo which are familiar with Comand upgrades, so hopefully it will work out. It's still a bit strange that the dealers won't do this though, I am willing to pay a fair amount for a proper installation.

Thanks again!

Remember that you need to turn to a authorized dealer to make the Navi function appear in the instrument cluster.
Everything should work fine without any programming at all, but the IC needs to be SCN coded.

[dissern]

VIC - IC is abbreviation for Instrument Cluster right? What does UMI stand for?

I also have the iPod kit, hopefully it will be possible to connect this to the Comand APS head unit as well (Parts #A2048704194)

[Nuru]

Originally Posted by mirage15

I would have to say that everything that they have told you is incorrect. The retrofit is actually the same or cheaper than UMI. I retrofitted a Euro unit in my US car and it works 100%, including Sirius. While I wouldn't classify this as easy... it certainly isn't difficult if you take your time and follow the writeups and posts that we have had discussing all of this.

does your retrofit provide NAV data to the Instrument Cluster?

[deusexisagod]

Originally Posted by vic viper

Remember that you need to turn to a authorized dealer to make the Navi function appear in the instrument cluster.
Everything should work fine without any programming at all, but the IC needs to be SCN coded.

Hello Vic/Nuru.
I am from Europe and i have a c220 cdi w204 model 2007 and from stock i have the Audio 20.
I want to retrofit a comand.I want the 7" inch display with navigation/dvd/HDD.I don't want the SAT RADIO or something else...because it will not work in my country(Romania).I want to buy them from ebay but i didn't understand that the part you listed works on my car and if they are what i need.Please help me because i don't want to throw the money away.And if i go to a Mercedes Benz dealer in my country they will definitely send me away
Thanks.

[dissern]

Hi!

When recoding the SCN after having installed the COMAND APS unit, do you have to be "online" with MB or can it be recoded in offline mode?

[Nuru]

Originally Posted by deusexisagod

Hello Vic/Nuru.
I am from Europe and i have a c220 cdi w204 model 2007 and from stock i have the Audio 20.
I want to retrofit a comand.I want the 7" inch display with navigation/dvd/HDD.I don't want the SAT RADIO or something else...because it will not work in my country(Romania).I want to buy them from ebay but i didn't understand that the part you listed works on my car and if they are what i need.Please help me because i don't want to throw the money away.And if i go to a Mercedes Benz dealer in my country they will definitely send me away
Thanks.

It would seem that you should go to a local dealer and ask them what does it cost to retrofit the Comand with NAV to your car.. If they won't do it, they can surely inform you of the exact parts you need for your 2007 car.