I have a 1992 500E with the Becker 1432 and Silverstone changer. I pulled the changer after learning that it was draining my battery dead. I finally replaced the 1432 with a Pioneer DEH-P660 that I picked up at Sound Advice for $220 (I think they can be had cheaper online).

I learned that Crutchfield is not authoritative when it comes to fit within a 500E. There were any number of decks that could work. So I wouldn't pay too much attention to Crutchfield. Sound Advice ran new wire from the head unit to the trunk and (I believe) tapped into the wires to the 4 deck speakers. We bypassed the trunk amps and I no longer have functioning door speakers (I can't say I miss them).

I also added an Aux input for my iPod. All in, it cost me about $375 installed. Sound is great through my Rainbows and while the display is a little gaudy, I'm not at all bothered by it. I have a Nak 45Z in my Porsche and don't necessarily like that unit any more than this one.

The only problem is that my antenna does not function with the head unit. Apparently, Sound Advice can confirm that there is a 12v signal going to the wire to the antenna when the unit is on, but the antenna will not raise. Note that it worked fine when I dropped the car off with the Becker. They are saying they don't know what to do, but if there's something specific about how MBs are wired that they don't know about, they will pay a mechanic's labor to get the antenna working.

Does anyone have any insight?