CarPlay Screen Radio for Mercedes SLK R171 (2004-2011): how to install Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

The Mercedes SLK R171 is a car built to be enjoyed: folding hardtop, rear-wheel drive and a driving position that invites you to take the back roads without rushing. That is exactly why the multimedia side stands out so much. When the plan is a long drive with the roof down, having to glance at a phone in a cradle or wrestle with a 2006 Bluetooth connection spoils the experience a little.

Fitting a screen radio with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is the upgrade with the best cost-to-enjoyment ratio on this car: up-to-date navigation, music streaming and clear calls, without touching anything else on the roadster. Here we cover what the R171 had from the factory, what it gains, how it is fitted and how much it costs.

Does the Mercedes SLK R171 have CarPlay as standard?

No. The SLK R171 was built between 2004 and 2011, and no version includes Apple CarPlay or Android Auto from the factory: those years are well before these systems reached Mercedes. Depending on the equipment, your SLK may have:

• Audio 20: radio with CD, small monochrome display and, in later years, basic hands-free Bluetooth.
• Audio 50 APS: adds DVD-based navigation and a colour screen that is tiny by today's standards.
• COMAND APS: the most complete option of its time, but equally unable to mirror a phone.

None of them can take a software update that adds CarPlay: the limitation is in the hardware. The real route is to swap the unit for a modern screen radio made for the R171 opening.

The solution: Android radio for the Mercedes SLK R171

The CarPlay screen radio for the Mercedes SLK R171 is built specifically for this roadster's console, with its own frame and harness:

• Wireless Apple CarPlay: your iPhone connects on its own at start-up, which is welcome in a convertible where the fewer loose cables, the better.
• Android Auto, wired or wireless.
• Android with the Play Store: install Waze, Spotify, YouTube or radio apps directly on the screen.
• Built-in GPS with maps of Spain and Europe, usable without mobile coverage.
• Steering wheel controls kept through the Mercedes-specific CAN bus.
• HD touchscreen, far more legible than the original in bright light.
• Built-in DSP to readjust the sound, which is especially useful in a convertible: the acoustics change completely with the roof down.
• Hands-free Bluetooth and dual USB, plus a free rear camera with automatic activation in reverse.

It is available in three configurations: 1 GB + 16 GB, 2 GB + 32 GB and 4 GB + 64 GB of memory, depending on how demanding you are about smoothness and the number of apps.

Compatibility with the SLK R171: supported versions

• Mercedes SLK R171 from 2004 to 2011, including the 2008 facelift.
• All engines in the range: SLK 200 Kompressor, 280, 300, 350 and the AMG versions of the period.
• Cars with Audio 20, Audio 50 APS or COMAND APS from the factory.

The unit fits in the original radio opening without affecting the folding hardtop or any other system in the car. If your SLK has an amplified sound system, tell us before buying: on some Mercedes of these years the amplifier runs over fibre optics and needs an additional decoder. A photo of your current radio on WhatsApp is all we need to confirm it for free.

What is the installation like?

Fitting is plug & play: no cutting, no splicing. A car audio installer will have it done in 30-60 minutes and, with a bit of skill, it can be done at home.

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
2. Remove the centre console trim on the R171 with plastic tools, without forcing the clips.
3. Release the original unit's fixings and pull it straight out.
4. Unplug the factory connectors and the aerial.
5. Connect the model-specific harness of the new screen: the included CAN bus module is what keeps the steering wheel controls and the car's warnings.
6. Route the rear camera cable if you are fitting it.
7. Slot the screen into the opening, screw it down and reconnect the battery.
8. Pair your phone once; from then on CarPlay will connect by itself at every start.

Before closing the trims completely, check the sound, the steering wheel controls and the camera. The unit ships with the most recent version of Android available and receives OTA updates.

At PantallasPremium the screen radio for the SLK R171 starts at for the 1 GB + 16 GB version, for 2 GB + 32 GB and for 4 GB + 64 GB, with a rear camera included, free shipping across Europe, warranty and after-sales support.

For reference, updating the maps on the original Audio 50 APS is an expense that comes back every few years and gives you no CarPlay, no Waze and no Spotify. And a generic solution means buying frame, harness and steering wheel interface separately, with a greater risk of something not working. If you are taking it to a workshop, ask for a labour quote first: being plug & play, it is usually under an hour's work.

Frequently asked questions

Does it affect the SLK's folding hardtop?
No. The screen replaces only the radio unit; the Vario-Roof and its electronics are untouched.

Is it easy to read with the roof down?
The HD touchscreen has far more brightness and contrast than the original, so it reads considerably better in full sun. Even so, with the roof down it is worth turning the automatic brightness down a notch if it dazzles you at night.

Do I keep the steering wheel controls and hands-free?
Yes. The specific CAN bus keeps volume, track skip and calls on the wheel, and the new unit's Bluetooth is far better than the factory one.

Which memory version should I choose?
If you are mainly going to use CarPlay and navigation, 1 GB + 16 GB is more than enough. For lots of installed apps and maximum smoothness, choose 2 GB + 32 GB or 4 GB + 64 GB.

Is it reversible?
Yes. As no wires are cut, you can refit the original radio at any time, worth keeping in mind if you plan to sell the car to a purist buyer.

See the CarPlay radio for the Mercedes SLK R171

You will find all the photos, specifications and reviews on the product page for the CarPlay and Android Auto screen radio for the Mercedes SLK R171 (2004-2011). If you have any compatibility questions, message us on WhatsApp with a photo of your current radio and we will reply within minutes.