Thread: Newbie MB Owner has a question

Hi guys,
Just about to buy a 2002 c180 W203 classic. Wanted to know if the COMAND unit can be retro fitted to this?
Cheers

Originally Posted by AndrewL

Hi guys,
Just about to buy a 2002 c180 W203 classic. Wanted to know if the COMAND unit can be retro fitted to this?
Cheers

Hi Andrew,

Yes it can be fitted but you may not like the older technology.

Thanks for the reply. Is there another way to bring Bluetooth and reversing camera together in these cars then. My very limited understanding and reading seems to suggest that the comand unit is required for these.

If it was any car other than a C180 2002 (M111 engine) I would say that you could have a 2005 makeover with a NTG 2.5. The M111 Engine cars are terrible for upgrading.

Look into buying a V6 or a 2003 C180 Kompressor (M271 engine).

So , the different engine determines how difficult the electronics are to upgrade?

Originally Posted by AndrewL

So , the different engine determines how difficult the electronics are to upgrade?

Yes I can testify to that being the case. A 2003 car with M271 offers you a better pathway or any C320 / C240 / C32.

I appreciate that the C180 and old C200 are the best value but it comes with 1998 technology which doesn't cross over to NTG 2.5 very well. Your best chance of hitting a great combination is to purchase a car somewhat similar to the last production run.

The C320 was the only car which spanned the entire life of the W203. It was only replaced with M272 engines very late in the cycle.

The C220 CDI engine is also spanning from 2001 till now. The engine was only modified with a better turbo and better fuel rail.

To understand what is difficult about the M111 engine
- cruise control (you might end up losing that feature)
- ESP
- Cluster
- Steering wheel + airbag
- Fuel sensor
- Door controllers
- transmission controller
- engine controller
- vacuum booster pump
- front fox box
- rear fuse box

Whatever the car costs ... add the problems above into consideration if you wish to go down a path where you will enhance the car.

Add to this failures in
- engine harness oil immersion (very expensive)
- vacuum lines
- transmission harness oil immersion (not expensive but time consuming)