MB Medic Mercedes-Benz Repair Guides, Service, How To DIY
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In this guide (14 sections)
- Android Head Unit
- Front Door Speaker Upgrade
- Gas & Brake Pedal
- Xenon HID Headlights
- Chrome Door Handle
- Front Grill
- Dual Double Exhaust Pipe Muffler Tips
- LED Gear Knob
- 9. LED Daytime Running Lights
- Interior LED Light Kit
- Performance Chip
- Matt Chrome Mirror Covers
- Car Door Logo Light
- What to watch for after an electrical upgrade
The Mercedes-Benz W169 A-Class improved the W168 model, but it still wasn’t sporty enough for most drivers to consider. That’s not to say you can’t turn it into a speed demon with the right modifications. This article will look at the most popular modifications for the W169. For ideas that are not specific to this chassis, see our wider list of Mercedes upgrades and mods.
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Android Head Unit
The standard head unit on the W169 is a vast improvement from the old-looking W168 version, but it could still do with a modern upgrade. The standard one doesn’t support DAB radio or allow it, and the DVD player didn’t come as standard. It also doesn’t support playing via USB. This Andriod 5.1 Sat-Nav Head Unit is exactly what the doctor ordered. It supports digital radio, streaming via wifi, and many added Android features.
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Front Door Speaker Upgrade
Now that you have upgraded the head unit, you will want better speakers. The standard W169 speakers don’t deliver the same power and quality as the aftermarket alternatives. This focal speaker upgrade will transform the audio quality of your car. It will increase the bass response and produce a clearer overall sound. To get the most out of your music, you need to upgrade your speakers.
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Gas & Brake Pedal
The AMG models always get the best finishes, so why not install them on your car? Not only are they sportier, but they also improve the overall look of the interior. These genuine AMG pedals will bring new life to your car. The increased grip and foot stability will also improve your driving confidence. These are a great addition to any modification plan.
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Xenon HID Headlights
A great upgrade for the W169 is the HID Xenon Bulbs. The standard W169 lights suffer from the same soulless design as seen on the old model. These HID lights will give your car a much brighter front profile. Also, it is very easy to install. Our guide to installing an HID conversion kit on a Mercedes-Benz walks through the job.
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Chrome Door Handle
(eBay link)See the chrome door handle on eBay (eBay link)
Another place that could do with an upgrade is the door handles. The chrome finish is very popular with modified W169s, so these door inserts fit well with that look. They give the car a very refined and polished side profile. It is also an excellent way of adding to the car’s value when you install genuine parts. These chrome inserts are a brilliant modification to the side profile of your W169.
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Front Grill
Buy this A-Class Grill on eBay (eBay link)
This grill facelift is an excellent way to improve the front profile of your W169. Whereas the standard grill was more subtle, this facelift makes the car stand out from the crowd. There is no better way to improve the look of your W169 than to change the front grill. This chrome grill will serve as the centerpiece for your modification project, as it immediately draws your eye to the car. Pair it with a couple of angel-eye headlights, and you will have a winning combination.
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Dual Double Exhaust Pipe Muffler Tips
Installing muffler tips will give your W169 a better exhaust note than the standard models. Not only will it give your car a much sportier sound, but it can also increase its performance. These tips are made from very high-quality materials and are easy to install. The chrome finish adds a very nice finishing touch to the rear profile.
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LED Gear Knob
See the LED gear knob on eBay (eBay link)
The standard gear knob on the W169 is starting to look very dated. With this LED gear Knob, you can change the look and feel of the original one. It also comes with an aluminum finish, which is very popular on newer models. You have three designs to choose from, my favorite being the red one with the model of the W169 on it. Though not a major modification, it is still very cool.
9. LED Daytime Running Lights
See the LED daytime running lights on eBay (eBay link)
Most modern cars now come with LED daylight running lights. Not only do they make the car look more expensive, but they also help it stand out from the others that don’t have them installed. It is rare to see them on a W169, making them a great choice if you want a unique look. Changing the original fog light position is unnecessary, as this fits the original design. Besides making the car look better, it also helps oncoming motorists see you in bad weather conditions.
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Interior LED Light Kit
See the interior LED light kit on eBay (eBay link)
Carrying on with the theme of LED lighting, here is an interior lighting kit for the W169. This replaces the drab old set that came standard with the car. The LED design will make it much brighter in the car and consume less battery power. This set is very easy to install and works right away. The increased brightness will come in during nights out with friends who habitually lose things.
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Performance Chip
See the performance chip on eBay (eBay link)
A performance chip is an amazing way to squeeze all the power out of your W169. When people think about modifying their cars, they usually think about turbochargers or new exhausts, but forget about the potential for an ECU upgrade. A simple change to the mapping system can unleash some amazing power gains in most cars. This particular chip box is very well suited to the W169. It has a claimed average power increase of up to 35%!
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Matt Chrome Mirror Covers
See the matt chrome mirror covers on eBay (eBay link)
We love our chrome finishes, and this mirror cover is no exception. The high-quality finish is a very classy addition to the front profile. The matte chrome look gives the sides a very pleasing accent. You might be tempted to go overboard on the mirrors, but if you do so, you might have a very tacky-looking car. As these are genuine Mercedes-Benz parts, you know that you won’t have any quality or fitment problems after purchase.
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Car Door Logo Light
The car door logo light is a relatively new modification that has quickly gained popularity. Installing a logo light is a cool way of welcoming passengers into the car, especially if they have never seen this feature. They are a cheap way of turning heads whenever you leave your vehicle. We have found a set that allows you to choose various Mercedes-Benz logos for your W169. The most attractive design features the AMG logo in white.
What to watch for after an electrical upgrade
Most of what is on this list is bolt on, but the electrical items are the ones that bite. A head unit, HID kit, LED bulbs and a daytime running light harness all tap into circuits the car monitors, and the A-Class is not shy about logging it. Canbus errors, bulb out warnings that persist after a correct install, and modules that stop talking to each other are the usual complaints after a cheap kit goes in.
Those faults sit in the body and lighting modules rather than the engine, so a basic code reader will show nothing at all and leave you guessing. Reading every control unit is what tells you which upgrade the car is objecting to, and the YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro is one example of that class of tool. Worth a scan before you start as well, so you know what the car already had stored.
Before you buy parts, scan every control module, not just the engine. It shows the root fault behind the warning lights and tells you whether the problem is still active. See how to do a full health check.
