What head unit + phone for W210?

[nickmann]

Hi All, I'd appreciate your input and help in this -

I am considering a 2001 W210. It has an Audio 10 head unit and an MB CD-changer in the boot.

I am used to satnav (Travelpilot) and hands-free (SE bluetooth) and an iPod connector and would want to install something in the W210, if purchased.

Option 1- Full OEM look & feel
Buy APS30 headunit (£250-ish??), connect to CD-changer (+ maybe iPod with Becker adaptor)
What Handsfree kit can I use that will use the steering wheel buttons and dash display?

Option 2-No nav or phone in display, cheap
Fit my Travelpilot, Ipod connector, Blaupunkt interface for steering wheel buttons (£70), plus SE bluetooth kit. Investigate possibility that Parrot kits use the steering-wheel buttons.

I don't see much of a future for the CD-Changer, assuming I can use my iPod as I do now.

I would really like the nav and phone info to come up in the display as this would be a new feature for me over my exising C240, but not "at any cost".

Any thoughts?

[nickmann]

OK then, maybe some-one could just confirm that if I fit an APS30 Nav unit that directions will be shown in the dash display?

[robertjary]

Yes, the display cluster will mimic the display directions shown on the Audio 30 APS (although you'll have to get the navigation display enabled by your dealer).

If you have a metallised front screen (my 2002 E class had one till the car failed its MOT due to a very large chip - the replacement screen, from AutoGlass, isn't metallised), you'll find that the 'underdash' GPS antenna won't receive any satellites.

[nickmann]

Thanks Robert. One more question -

I am considering replacing my Blaupunkt TravelPilot with the APS30, to get the display functionality. I note that for the APS30 there is one disc for Europe, whereas for the TravelPilot there is a disc for UK, a disc for France etc. So I am wondering about the level of detail.

Do you feel the APS30 has good coverage of smaller roads? I don't want to drive up goat-tracks, but would expect it to know about country lanes etc.

[robertjary]

I've travelled throughout the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland and not had any problems. Ireland is pooly covered and although Rosslare is not on the map both the N11 and N25 (travelling from Dublin) are recognised.

TMC, which works in both Germany and Switzerland, is great.

Version 7 CD is now a couple of years old and due to be updated so new roads (M6 toll) and junctions are missing.