MB R129 Modification and Service

12/11/2023

I finally found a solution for Apple Carplay installation that i can live with, i just bought a rear view camera system from Aliexpress.
It is meant to be strapped on your original rear view mirror, i could not live with that as it does not look very good.
So i took out the screen and forward facing camera, and i built a new housing that fits the original rear view mirror mount and replaced the original with this solution.
So now i have backup camera and front view camera that always records when out driving.
It also have a park monitoring function, so it will start recording if someone bumps into my car when parked at a parking lot.

18/02/2022

I see that the Apple Carplay system will be way more expensive to produce than i thought, it will end up being at least €600 when finished. And i have to add some hours of work on top of that, so it will be difficult to sell in that price range. I also need to put down a lot of money into it to get a custom made display, as i have to order a minimum amount and it will never be possible to sell that many.
I was sure it would be easy to find a screen already fitting, but that has not been the case.
I am very sorry for everyone that has been waiting for it to be ready, but for now i will just put it on ice for a while and if something usable shows up i will take it up again.
But i will start posting other R129 projects and service that i am working on. So i think in future it will still be beneficial to follow this page.
I hope to do some youtube videos on service and repairs that will be helpful for R129 owners.

23/05/2021

Sorry for this project taking so long to finalize, i am still struggeling with getting a perfect LCD screen for the radio that can be used. I want the radio option to be perfect so that the only way you can see it is not original is turning it on.
I am in contact with a company that can make the custom screen, but at first they needed an order for 1000pcs screens and i will not do that😳 But we are still talking about a prototype to test and 200pcs in first order.

I am also working on two other options now, so that i can start getting some systems out there for testing.
My system has now been running at my home for 2,5 months without a glitch, it connect my phone every time i get in the door at home so it seems perfectly stable.
I have actually been using it as a music player and handsfree system in my home😊
As you can see i am thinking to supply a system where the screen is innside the compartment under the radio, this will work great but you are still looking down to do anything.
The mirror option is a very safe system, you do not really need to remove eyes from the road.
The mirror screen will of course also be available totally integrated into the original mirror, so if you have electric mirror all the adjust functions will still work. And you will not be able to see that it is modified, the cheap option is of course the mirror in the picture with clamps to lock it on the original mirror.
And the joystick in the ashtray will of course be lover so you can totally hide it, i have abandoned the touch screen as the joystick is perfect and easy to control all features in Carplay.
You will not have to look down to see what you are doing, so very safe system. And it always responds perfectly, not like a touch screen that not always reacts on first try.

So what do you guys think?
What would you choose of the 3 systems?

And also what if radio option was not available, what option of the two would you choose instead?

22/04/2021

Hello everyone😊
Finally an update but still no screen for the headunit, i have ordered from a few different companies now, but Covid is making everything slow.

This shows the startup of the system, the CarPlay connection is normally a lot faster than on the video. It slows down when the phone you connect to is running something, like now when i am recording the video with the same phone.

So the system and user interface works flawlessly, and no lag or connection problems like you get with the CarPlay dongles.

So it is ready, only thing needed is to find a screen that fits the headunit, and i sm also waiting for a mirror screen to instsll in the rearview mirror.

If anyone knows a good source for small LCD screens in between size 2.8” to 3.2” please let me know.

04/04/2021

While waiting for parts for the CarPlay project i am trying to get the perfect finish for my interior. I am using Hydro paint, looks pretty real i think 😊
More options than the vinyl wrap, as you can adjust the base color.

25/03/2021

Everything is working stable and connects wireless to the phone as soon as i am in BT range, so i have found the way to make it stable. But it means i had to go to someone to get the main unit produced. I realized i did not have time or possibility to produce this in bigger numbers. So the main unit is now a proper sytem that can be put into any car with 12v system, only issue for a vintage car is that you need a screen somewhere.
All functions are available through the pad in the picture, so no need for a touch screen.
I have experimented with a screen on my player, but i am waiting for a new and better option. The rearview mirror in the R129 has a lot of space inside so you can actually put a screen behind a mirror glass plate and have it all hidden in the mirror.
So what solution would be preferred ? ,the player solution will most likely add $2-400 if you do not have the BT-2 unit already. The CarPlay unit it self will probably be around $400 with all features but without any screen. This of course depends on how many orders i get. And a simple screen for use in a player or in the mirror would not be more than $20-50
The screen only needs hdmi or standard composite input.

Here is the spec and features on the Carplay unit.

Modul supports Wireless CarPlay, wired Android Auto. And USB cable screen mirroring.
Supports USB HD Video up to 1080p and lossless music (APE, WAV, Flac, MP3, WMA, etc)
HDMI and CVBS (480p/720p) output.
Handsfree mic input.
Backup camera input.
2 USB inputs for streaming and connected CarPlay (mirroring)

Touchscreen support ( Resistive )
RCA audio output with volume control and EQ settings.

External control unit controlling all functions.
Includes mic for handsfree

Mobile phone charging.

And future software update via USB.

Spec.

Inputs.
2xRCA Rear cam supporting AHD cameras, and one video input.
Minijack 3.5 microphone input.
2xUSB
Outputs.
3xRCA CVBS Video and R/L Audio
1x HDMI
Input voltage 9-16v
Power consumption 5W
Working temp -20C to 75C
Size 115x70x 25mm
Weight 170g

08/03/2021

Donor player the APS BT-2 Control Unit for the CarPlay and Android Auto project arrived today, the project will start again🙏
Will be a bit slow start as i have just moved house, it will take some time to get everything organized again 😉

08/03/2021

08/03/2021

This is for the non purist that wants to modify their R129 to a more up to date.
Currently it is about my attempt to add Bluetooth CarPlay and Android Auto to an original MB radio, these cars looks the best with original radios.