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Hi all,

Got a question for the community. A couple of months ago I got an ad on social media showcasing a system to convert your inbuilt car infotainment system to run Android Auto or Car Play. Got me thinking about whether I could adapt any of mine. The Golf was out of the question - not ripping out it's CD and cassette deck, which left the Merc. It's a 2013 W204 C180 which runs the COMMAND system of that era. The display and interface buttons all work fine, it's just functionally useless in this day and age. So I started googling.

At first I was seeing a bunch of systems like these that involved opening up the centre console like so:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZijKlvvWL0

OR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpTPgulg2i8

If I have to take out the head unit, it really becomes far more hassle than it's worth. Also these were all at least £400-500. Further digging revealed that some options come with a module that plugs into a Harman-Becker slot (?!) that happens to be in the glove box. I'd not come across this before but this was one of the options listed:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Road-Top-Wi...J85/ref=sr_1_9

The videos linked to that URL seem to suggest it's far easier to install, though it might be a bit janky in use it does seem to enable wireless Android Auto via the in built buttons. And it's a fair bit cheaper.

I thought I'd have a root in my glove box and sure enough there appears to be a module of that sort already in place. Forgive the less than perfect photos, was having to contort to try and get it.

Glove box - try as I might, I just couldn't pull out the module already plugged in


Really struggled to take this but can just about make out the word Becker. What could this be if it's already there?

However I wanted to ask the community this - has anyone done this change on their car before? Is it worthwhile? I mostly use my phone on a mount and that's only when doing longer drives (which is mostly what we tend to use the Merc for - my beater Golf is my usual daily driver). Having wireless Android Auto or Car Play would be nice for my parents to use when visiting and borrowing the car.

I couldn't find any existing thread on W204's having something like this done, at least on Team BHP. Happy to be redirected if I've missed something on here or somewhere else like Reddit.

[Nissan1180]

You can add a portable carplay screen. These devices are removable and provide a decent experience if your expectations are limited to running google maps and music streaming apps. These devices are generic, unfortunately. You can search for the term “portable carplay screen” on Amazon.

The other option is to replace the existing screen with a larger unit which retains the original functionalities and adds the carplay + reverse camera.

I have been using a portable carplay screen on my W204 and it is holding up well so far.

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Thanks. I'd seen these portable systems including one person mounting this screen fairly flush into the hooded housing the inbuilt display sits in. Thing is though if I'm getting a portable thing, might as well stick with using my phone on a mount. Though the price differential has to be a key consideration here.

I've also seen the set ups where a whole new display is installed along with a reversing camera - I've no need or want for either.

Essentially I want to try and get more out of what's already built in. And it seems these Harman Becker modules are the ones that fit that bill.

I've found some videos for how to free the damn thing but turns out you need this plastic key. I can't seem to find replacements for it except for sketchy eBay resellers and it seems silly to pay £18 for a little plastic tab. Might see if a local Mercedes garage has it and let's me just use it for a minute to free out the existing GPS module (my assumption of what's in that slot currently).

[androdev]

If you can't get the key (A1727550061) to pop out the Becker unit, you can improvise and make three pieces of plastic or wooden strip to copy the key action. It needs to press two rectangular tabs that hold the unit in place and slide the round pin to pop out the unit.

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Thanks for the images Androdev, I did try to fish around with a flat bottle opener to get at what I assumed was a locking catch. Being able to see the three points on which it catches is much more helpful.

I'm going to have a go using some jerry-rigged letter openers and suchlike and see if I have any luck freeing the module. Will update.

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Update:

Mentioned the Harman Becker slot to my uncle who I got the car off. Luckily he manages to fish out the small box it must've come with, crucially the little plastic adapter to release it. Managed to get it free and thought I'd share the contents. Interestingly the module seems to have it's own battery which appears swollen like the batteries in old Nokias of yore.