Finally Retrofitted my COMAND NTG4 & Keeping my after market MMI

[Guest kepiting1sg]

Dear All,

COMAND option for our MBs has been >12k from C&C.

This is possible only at the time of ordering your car and you may have to wait longer unless it has been spec to your MB eg. R350, S350.

Understand that C&C do not do retrofitting of COMAND. :censored:

Be it a new MB or pre-loved MB for me starting from

W123-->W124-->W203-->W211-->W212

I never had COMAND in my ride and always has a yearning for it.

My road to COMAND and I would like to share my experience and comments!

Being on many "wild goose chase" and finally I m so happy that I finally got COMAND NTG4 retrofitted to my 6 mths old W212.

Before retrofitting COMAND, I had an after market Multi Media Interface which I hooked on Garmin GVN53 Navigation, Digital TV and Reverse Camera.

Off course I can also instal DVD Changer if I wanted too.

This last option of after market media interface has sometimes being touted as original options by some PIs to unsuspecting car buyers. :tsk::censored:

Some may ask why when I have the last option of having Navigation, Digital TV, DVD if I wanted too and Reverse Cam, why on earth I still install COMAND in my ride.

1. IMHO, the COMAND to me is a very "exciting" piece of technology.

2. Nothing beats the original

3. I always wanted it! :becky:

Despite installing the COMAND in my W212, I was able to keep the earlier option. Again some may ask why I keep the after market MMI when now I've COMAND.

1. The after mkt MMI use Garmin based map and always very up to date from almost weeking maps update from MFM or periodically from Jerome Wee.

2. I can keep my Digital TV

3. I do not need to instal another original reverse cam from MB.

To have both option side by side was not a straight forward task.

"Luck" was on my side that I could integrate the after market MMI together with the NTG4.

This is what I have from COMAND NTG4

1. Navigation with MB 2010 S.E.A Maps with Junction Views

2. Navigation info shown on both LCD screen & DIS (Driver Info System i.e Dash Meter)

3. Navigation with Voice Control Comand

4. Navigation works in tunnel once satellite signals are lost by the car ECU measuring the wheel speed & car directions.

5. 7" High Resolution LCD screen

6. 6 DVD & CD Audio Changer with Voice Comand - Chinese text present

7. Radio with Voice Comand

8. 6Gb Music Register on 40Gb HDD - recognising m4a, wma &mp3 format including chinese characters

9. PCMCIA Card adaptor to accept memory card - currently using 16Gb CF card with >4000 songs stored in wma format - read chinese text.

This is not inclusive of the oem UCI which I can connect Aux in, iPod/iPhone in or USB Thumb drive (works even at 16Gb thumb drive)

10. Bluetooth Phone with Voice Comand dialing - works very well with name calling, calling address book or even spelling names or calling out numbers.

11. Linquatronic voice control on the calling of mode eg. Phone, DVD, Audio, Radio, Navigation.

What I get from the after market Multi Media Interface

1. Navigation from Garmin GVN53 using maps from Jerome Wee for SG/JB & MFM for MY.

2. Digital TV

3. Reverse Camera

My sincere thanks to Bro Camber53 for his effort in installing the Comand NTG4 for me.

IIRC Camber53 was the MB enthusiast to start the 1st MB forum in Delphi before handing it to our Bro Keltanky and finally evolving to the current MB forum with the past & current bros like g8crasher, cklass, kompressor, sillywilly, 9339, ehwong, cblack, fruitcake, etc.

I have know Bro camber53 for many years due to the common interest in MB & ICE.

Bro camber53 is a businessman himself which has got nothing to do with car audio or retrofitting of Comand.

He's an enthusiast in ICE and all along likes playing around with Command since his W211 days.

Currently installing of Comand is more a hobby for him than a business.

Despite his "heavy business" committment, he was able to spend time to successfully installed and coded the Command NTG4 for my W212.

I am here not to promote Bro Camber53 but to make the situation clear as he's not a commercial sponsor on this site.

Therefore if U are interested to instal Comand to your ride, pls PM him yourself.

I understand currently he can do W212, W204, C207 & A207.

I am proud of what I have done to the Comand & MMI mods.

Therefore for those who wannna see my setup, feel free to contact me when I am back from Batam Island usually every Thursday nite onwards.

email: [email protected]

indon hp: Mon to Fri - +62 811 777772

sg hp: Fri to Sun - 91777772

I have some photos to share - though some not every good.

(wait till I save enough for my macro lens....hehehehe(

COMAND NTG4 with Navi + DVD Changer + Linguatronic Voice Control + Video In Motion

PCMCIA Memory Card adaptor - SD or CF - currently using 16Gb CF card

Choice of Media selection

Ultraman DVD on the 7" High Resolution LCD Screen for my son...hhehee!

Navigation shown on DIS

Navigation Screen with choice of geographical co-ordinates, street names, distance to travel/arrival time.

After market MMI (Multi Media Interface)

Garmin Navigation from after mkt MMI

Reverse Camera with distance guide lines from after mkt MMI

Digital TV CNA from after mkt MMI

[Guest blackmercs]

Congras, now u can eat & sleep in yr car. Super envy u, how I wish I got the extra bread!! But still no karaoke function rite?

[Guest kepiting1sg]

blackmercs wrote:

Congras, now u can eat & sleep in yr car. Super envy u, how I wish I got the extra bread!! But still no karaoke function rite?

Unker used to like kalaoke Indo songs esp. wooing Indon mei mei in the past or how siao my co employees in our annual D&D but has since lost part of my voice to a $@#^ sleep specialist doctor who lasered my throat to cure my sleep apnoea.

Unker no lucky cannot drive car everyday due to bring food to table by being exiled in neighboring country.

U lucky man can drive, sleep, eat, park in deserted dark places, mor mor your ride everyday! I also super envy U lah!

If U like kalaoke - I mean the real one hor! Unker still got BMB system in SG & some say Batam. These are leftovers from my previous business installing kalaoke systems for joints.

So feel free to visit me OK if U want kalaoke with Unker.....hahahaha!

KNS - Till now still waiting for U to visit me!

[Guest chiaster]

This is AMAZING.

I am going to PM Bro Camber53 now.

[Guest Cklasse5]

Congrats Uncle Seah!

I too had a word with bro Camber53 and indeed he's a nice person to chat with. He's quite accommodative. Although I would very much want my Command to be upgraded with the latest map but temporary I have to live with the map showing me "flying-in-the-air" when I enter KPE.

Cheers!

[Guest kepiting1sg]

Cklasse5 wrote:

Congrats Uncle Seah!

I too had a word with bro Camber53 and indeed he's a nice person to chat with. He's quite accommodative. Although I would very much want my Command to be upgraded with the latest map but temporary I have to live with the map showing me "flying-in-the-air" when I enter KPE.

Cheers!

heheheeh!.....there lots more the Command can do!

IMHO may not worth the $14k option but if we can get around it and a "nice price"....why not!....hehehe!

[Guest Red Devil]

kepiting1sg wrote:

Many Thanks for the detail sharing plus pictures ! Really benefit newbie like me :becky: Now I can visualise the COMMAND thing ...

Success of any special interest grp needs a group of selfless & passionate people to drive ... kudos to ALL seniors for bringing the newbies a informative forum ...

[Guest kepiting1sg]

Red Devil wrote:

Many Thanks for the detail sharing plus pictures ! Really benefit newbie like me :becky: Now I can visualise the COMMAND thing ...

Success of any special interest grp needs a group of selfless & passionate people to drive ... kudos to ALL seniors for bringing the newbies a informative forum ...

U are much welcome Bro!!!!!

It was a yearning, a dream, a wish for me that finally come true after so many years & so many MB rides.

Not many MB owners would want to pay C & C for this $14K option unless it was already spec with the ride.

When I had last the previous FL W211 Audio - KNS No Bluetooth, No LCD screen, not even Aux input - worse off than the W204.....sianzzzz!

Wrote to C & C

It was only made possible after Bro Camber53 made this break through with much time spent in research, getting contacts, investing in equipment, software, trying out surgery on himself......hahahaha....to deliver the results for his mum's car, my car & others. I also hope many more cars to come! :hand:

[keltanky]

Thumbs Up to Camber53! :becky:

[Guest jsiau]

how much is the DTV option?

[Guest kepiting1sg]

jsiau wrote:

how much is the DTV option?

DTV was part of the after mkt MMI & not part of the Command.

The hardware or DTV tuner itself is only $200+ & currently received Digital Broadcast of TV5, TV8 & CNA only!

[Guest jsiau]

ok, thanks ..can tell me where to install... do it fit w211

[Guest kepiting1sg]

jsiau wrote:

ok, thanks ..can tell me where to install... do it fit w211

If yours is the last batch of FL W211 which comes with a color LCD screen then can fit after mkt MMI.

[Guest jsiau]

kepiting1sg wrote:

If yours is the last batch of FL W211 which comes with a color LCD screen then can fit after mkt MMI.

Mine is pre FL 2006 E200 ...July 2006 come with Comand APS NTG2.0 with DVD navigation ..should be Ok right?

[Guest kepiting1sg]

jsiau wrote:

Mine is pre FL 2006 E200 ...July 2006 come with Comand APS NTG2.0 with DVD navigation ..should be Ok right?

U can check with AutoSpritze - 115 Eunos Ave 3 - look for Ah Boon

or drop by New Generation - Cartoon in Ubi.

Or you prefer D.I.Y - Unker very poisonous but dun gip $$$ solution all the time.....muhahahah!

Here's the link for fitting after mkt MMI to your Command NTG 2

http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/product.php?productid=96&cat=22&page=1

or here

http://www.acvgmbh.de/shop3/index.php?language=en&cat=c364_Multimedia-Adapter.html&

Audi fren has done xcarlink diy & it works on his latest Audi A4 2.0

[Guest watermeth]

Bro Kepiting1sg

Congrats on your upgrade.

Thank you for sharing such hard-to-find infor here.

Can you tell us if you have DAB radio capability on your ride now? And how is the reception in SG whilst on the move, particularly amongst high-rise buildings & in the road tunnels?

Thanks

.

[Guest kepiting1sg]

watermeth wrote:

Bro Kepiting1sg

Congrats on your upgrade.

Thank you for sharing such hard-to-find infor here.

Can you tell us if you have DAB radio capability on your ride now? And how is the reception in SG whilst on the move, particularly amongst high-rise buildings & in the road tunnels?

Thanks

.

Hahahaha! No DAB radio only DTV with TV5, TV8 & CNA!

Signal generally not oo bad - blame it on MCorp!

Orignal NTG 4 DAB is not an easy retrofit and to me cost an arm & leg.

Beside that not too sure the Hz is compatiable to our local DAB stations.

Since it cost too much, I didn't wanna to pursue it further

The next best think I can do is buy 1 of those HU with DAB capabilties and hook it to my aft mkt mmi.

Then come the next problem of where to instal the HU & also to stick the DAB antenae or I have to retrofit the current stock sharkfin antenae to oem sharkfin antenae with Phone & DAB capabilties.

Think my current setup has enough features to keep me satisfy for the time being....hehehehe!

As a matter of fact, I went 1 further step to buy an USB turntable to rip songs from my vinyl collections for the Command 6Gb Music Register and the 32Gb CF Memory Card.

[Guest taptapdude]

yours 6Gb ar? mine only 4Gb leh...so far playing all my music thru my 16gb CF, 32Gb works no problem? heard some bros here saying 32gb not stable..

[Guest taptapdude]

and my normal analog radio reception still sux....

[Guest watermeth]

kepiting1sg wrote:

Hahahaha! No DAB radio only DTV with TV5, TV8 & CNA!

Signal generally not oo bad - blame it on MCorp!

Orignal NTG 4 DAB is not an easy retrofit and to me cost an arm & leg.

Beside that not too sure the Hz is compatiable to our local DAB stations.

Since it cost too much, I didn't wanna to pursue it further

The next best think I can do is buy 1 of those HU with DAB capabilties and hook it to my aft mkt mmi.

Then come the next problem of where to instal the HU & also to stick the DAB antenae or I have to retrofit the current stock sharkfin antenae to oem sharkfin antenae with Phone & DAB capabilties.

Think my current setup has enough features to keep me satisfy for the time being....hehehehe!

As a matter of fact, I went 1 further step to buy an USB turntable to rip songs from my vinyl collections for the Command 6Gb Music Register and the 32Gb CF Memory Card.

I was going to install the GVN 53 to my C207, as you've done, but C&C's SE said that it would jeopardize the car's warranty. Reason given: tampering with car's electronic system. Meanwhile, I've to depend on my trusty Garmin portable GPS for navigation

.

[Guest gavin]

Wanna mod dont even bother talking abt warranty. It's like asking does so and so part increase my Hp as well as give me more milage ? Can't have both. LoL

[Guest kepiting1sg]

watermeth wrote:

I was going to install the GVN 53 to my C207, as you've done, but C&C's SE said that it would jeopardize the car's warranty. Reason given: tampering with car's electronic system. Meanwhile, I've to depend on my trusty Garmin portable GPS for navigation

.

I did my after mkt MMI with the GVN 53 on my W212 when it was 1 week old!

They (AutoSpritze) took 1 whole day to strip, install & re-assemble back.

I was there the whole day and for those "sim tia" to see their new ride being torn apart, they better not look.....hehehehe!

Previously I also did that to my 1 week old A4 2/0 TQ.

I do not usually send my car especially very new to a place to get "it tore up" unless I've the confidence the guys know what they are doing.

I've sent my car with the Command NTG 4 retrofitted to CnC for my 1st servicing. They did not comment anything!

If something will to go wrong with the HU and the related electronics, I dun expect CnC to attend to my car but I rather to go the workshop that retrofitted my ride.

If something else goes wrong eg. the engine or the tranny - I will be heading directly to CnC. This has nothing to do with the elctronics on the Command NTG 4 & after mkt MMI retrofit.

The saying goes:-

"MOD DUN SCARE! SCARE DUN MOD!"

[Guest kai]

kepiting1sg wrote:

I did my after mkt MMI with the GVN 53 on my W212 when it was 1 week old!

They (AutoSpritze) took 1 whole day to strip, install & re-assemble back.

I was there the whole day and for those "sim tia" to see their new ride being torn apart, they better not look.....hehehehe!

"MOD DUN SCARE! SCARE DUN MOD!"

How much did you pay for your MMI by AutoSpritz? I stumble upon a website and this company "Wee Heng Auto Air-con Accessories" is able to do an upgrade for Mercedes E Class MMI to:

1) Revers Camera

2) DVD

3) Digital TV

4) I Pod / I Phone Cable

5) GPS

Anyone go to this company for the upgrade? :becky:

[Guest kepiting1sg]

kai wrote:

How much did you pay for your MMI by AutoSpritz? I stumble upon a website and this company "Wee Heng Auto Air-con Accessories" is able to do an upgrade for Mercedes E Class MMI to:

1) Revers Camera

2) DVD

3) Digital TV

4) I Pod / I Phone Cable::

5) GPS

Anyone go to this company for the upgrade? :becky:

No need to trawl the net!:becky:

I can tell U what Wee Heng can do! :becky:

Just spent the whole day today @ AutoSpritze same2 Wee Heng Acc.

My ML300 is less than 2 days old!

Yesterday I got it retrofitted with Comand NTG 2.5.

Today went Wee Heng(AutoSpritze) tore up the whole ride.

Wee Heng has 2 locations.

1 locations is @ AutoSpritze!

To see Ah Boon @ Wee Heng(AutoSpritze)

Tell him Mr Seah refers U!

Dun worry! I dun get commission!

[Guest kai]

kepiting1sg wrote:

No need to trawl the net!:becky:

I can tell U what Wee Heng can do! :becky:

Just spent the whole day today @ AutoSpritze same2 Wee Heng Acc.

My ML300 is less than 2 days old!

Yesterday I got it retrofitted with Comand NTG 2.5.

Today went Wee Heng(AutoSpritze) tore up the whole ride.

Wee Heng has 2 locations.

1 locations is @ AutoSpritze!

To see Ah Boon @ Wee Heng(AutoSpritze)

Tell him Mr Seah refers U!

Dun worry! I dun get commission!

Hi friend,

So what is the difference between the retrofit done by AutoSpritz with Comand NTG 2.5 and that done by Camber53? :becky: Are they the same or is there any difference between them?