The head units are different. I've looked, recently, as I thought I may have to replace it, and I was going to do the utmost to get the old sound back.

However...there are different connections on the rear. I, for one, do not want to figure out how the wiring changed to then try and make it work. Hell, as it is I can't determine why the fuse for the radio isn't getting any voltage. My next step, after borrowing power from somewhere else to make certain the head unit is still okay, is to determine how to take the fusible link distribution block under the hood apart to see if it's something in there.

I'd wager, because the nav system is integrated with the radio like it is, there's no hope of going to an older version, at least not without major modifications.

Mbarron37, if you think your '11 sounded good, you should hear an '07-'09. They were neutered for the '10 model year.

What kills me is, they did this trying to fix a problem which neutering the system would not have any chance, at all, of fixing.

 

Oh this sucks, one of the reasons I bought the car was for the stereo. That's an expensive mistake to make. I'll be posting the car for sale in the coming weeks.

 

For those who are curious, here's the difference from purely an electrical connection POV.



2008 ML radio/head unit connections

2012 ML radio/head unit connections

As you can see, the newer radio is lacking a few connectors and at least a couple dozen pins.

 

That's interesting. Thanks for sharing. I guess we are stuck.