A-AvantGarde
29-05-2005, 01:01 PM
I've just completed the luxury climate control upgrade (changing standard Climatronic unit with rotary knobs for the Climatronic unit with digital display)
It's a great easy & fairly cheap mod for W203 or W209 owners.
Disclaimer! - Simply swapping out the climate control unit with the luxury climate control is NOT possible in all the W203 / W209s. There are two different versions of the control unit available (203 830 05 85 and 203 830 09 85). Information from Steve at www.MBenzNL.com states that a car may be compatible with:
a. 203 830 05 85
b. 203 830 09 85
c. with both these units
d. or neither of these units.
Unfortunatley whether a specific W203 / W209 will be compatible with either one of these control units is apparently NOT something that can be determined ahead of time and is something that has to be tested in the specific car as the compatibility is random.
I purchased my unit on ebay.de. I got the 09 version and it works perfectly in my 2002 C320 regulates the temperature correctly, no problems with the display (still controlable using the rheostat), tunnel mode still works etc. There is a button for the charcoal filter to be switched on, however, I didn't have this filter to start with, although the button still lights up when pressed. I believe that Ckember also bought the 09 unit and that his is also working fine.
It was simple to install once I figured out how to take out the centre console and air vents (and got a longer handled Torx 20 driver as suggested by ckember). I used the instructions from: http://www.buellwinkle.com/Comand/COMAND%20install%20and%20removal%20WIS.pdf
Brief install sequence (but refer to the instructions I used
above)
1 - take gear shift cover plate off
http://www.poundhost.com/mbclub-file/A-avantgarde/C320%20002.jpe
2 - take ashtray out (not pictured - follow instructions in link)
3 - screws visible in ashtray void holding fascia (not pictured - follow instructions in link)
4 - remove centre air vent to reveal screws holding radio
http://www.poundhost.com/mbclub-file/A-avantgarde/C320%20003.jpe
5 - remove old climatronic unit and replace with digital version (this simply unclips from the back of the trim panel)
http://www.poundhost.com/mbclub-file/A-avantgarde/C320%20005.jpe
6 - re-assemble & enjoy the end result
http://www.poundhost.com/mbclub-file/A-avantgarde/C320%20006.jpe
It's a great easy & fairly cheap mod for W203 or W209 owners.
Disclaimer! - Simply swapping out the climate control unit with the luxury climate control is NOT possible in all the W203 / W209s. There are two different versions of the control unit available (203 830 05 85 and 203 830 09 85). Information from Steve at www.MBenzNL.com states that a car may be compatible with:
a. 203 830 05 85
b. 203 830 09 85
c. with both these units
d. or neither of these units.
Unfortunatley whether a specific W203 / W209 will be compatible with either one of these control units is apparently NOT something that can be determined ahead of time and is something that has to be tested in the specific car as the compatibility is random.
I purchased my unit on ebay.de. I got the 09 version and it works perfectly in my 2002 C320 regulates the temperature correctly, no problems with the display (still controlable using the rheostat), tunnel mode still works etc. There is a button for the charcoal filter to be switched on, however, I didn't have this filter to start with, although the button still lights up when pressed. I believe that Ckember also bought the 09 unit and that his is also working fine.
It was simple to install once I figured out how to take out the centre console and air vents (and got a longer handled Torx 20 driver as suggested by ckember). I used the instructions from: http://www.buellwinkle.com/Comand/COMAND%20install%20and%20removal%20WIS.pdf
Brief install sequence (but refer to the instructions I used
above)
1 - take gear shift cover plate off
http://www.poundhost.com/mbclub-file/A-avantgarde/C320%20002.jpe
2 - take ashtray out (not pictured - follow instructions in link)
3 - screws visible in ashtray void holding fascia (not pictured - follow instructions in link)
4 - remove centre air vent to reveal screws holding radio
http://www.poundhost.com/mbclub-file/A-avantgarde/C320%20003.jpe
5 - remove old climatronic unit and replace with digital version (this simply unclips from the back of the trim panel)
http://www.poundhost.com/mbclub-file/A-avantgarde/C320%20005.jpe
6 - re-assemble & enjoy the end result
http://www.poundhost.com/mbclub-file/A-avantgarde/C320%20006.jpe