A client from Chesterfield recently contacted Extreme Audio about a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Apple CarPlay upgrade. The client’s wife really likes the CarPlay interface and wanted it in her sport coupe. We had a look at the vehicle, then proposed the Alpine iLX-107 wireless CarPlay solution. The client loved the plan and gave us the go-ahead to schedule the installation.
Mercedes-Benz SL500 Apple CarPlay Upgrade
The project started with removing the factory radio and amplifier. We prepped the wiring for the Alpine iLX-107 and attached mounting brackets from the Connects2 mounting kit. We wired a Paser Unican Plus interface into the vehicle and connected it to the radio harness. This interface converts commands on the CAN bus to something that the Alpine radio can understand. The last step was to connect front, rear and subwoofer RCA cables to the radio and run them rearward to feed the new amplifiers.
The Alpine unit looks perfect in the dash of the Mercedes. The chrome accent ring on the face of the radio matches the silver accents in the car perfectly.
Alpine and Pioneer System Amplifiers
The factory sound system in the SL500 uses a MOST fiber optic connection to send audio from the radio to the system amplifier in the storage compartment behind the driver’s seat. While we have MOST interfaces available, we’ve found that it is more reliable to replace the amplifiers with new units to power the system. We installed a Pioneer GM-D1004 four-channel amplifier to power the front and rear speakers and an Alpine KTP-190U mono amp to power the factory subwoofer. We added a PAC PDLC21 to serve as a line driver for the Alpine amp to increase the output of the subwoofer.
Free Camera Upgrade
Alpine was running a promotion on the iLX-107 when the client made the purchase, which included a free backup camera with the system. We mounted the camera on the trunk lip just above the license plate and connected it with the source unit.
Sound System Tuning
Any time we install amplifiers in a vehicle, we dedicate time to configuring them for maximum performance. The crossovers and sensitivity controls on the amps need to be set to ensure the system will play loud and without distortion. Once configured and tested, it was time to return the car to the client. He was impressed with how well the Mercedes-Benz SL500 Apple CarPlay upgrade turned out. It also happened to sound amazing! If you are interested in upgrading the technology in your vehicle, drop by either Extreme Audio location in the Richmond area and speak with a member of our team. You can also reach us by e-mail using our contact page.
Sirs,
The install kit one this application does not require cutting the outer trim. Was it custom made? If not where in the world can it be found?
Joe, This was a kit for a different model, that was sanded down by hand to match the top portion. I believe the kit is available through Perzan Auto Radio in the Philadelphia area.
i have this car in a 2004 model. My wife has a samsung that uses android auto. does that stereo also have android auto? Vey interested in getting the same thing done to her car.
That particular system was done in the early days of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That particular model was just Apple Carplay, but we have plenty of versions currently that offer both.
Hi,
Can you recommend someone in CT to install carplay in a 2008 SL500?
Thank you
We do know some reputable shops around CT, what is your zip code? Thanks