Morning all,

Have a 1992 MBZ 300SL with OEM installed Becker 980 10 Disc CD Changer and the matching head unit with the 10 buttons and of course the amp is installed in the right rear fender well, the CD changer is installed in the left rear fender well, and there are three cables linking the two together. One power (square) and two data cables one with a black plug and the other with a grey plug.

My problem is that although my changer works mechanically very soundly, and has never even thought about jamming or changing erratically, or anything; it's now tired and when I drive down the road the slightest bump causes the CD to jump. We can't even enjoy the CD at all.

I want to keep my head unit and the amplifier works well, so I don't see the need to gut my car and add everything new. Plus I want to keep the car looking as original as possible when you're sitting in it looking at the dash and console. Inotherwords, I don't want to add some kludged up radio -- I want to keep one that is consistent with what was originally delivered with the car.

I am told two things. (1) my only solution is to get the changer overhauled, and then I end up with an overhauled 12 year old unit that technology has advanced far ahead of, but I have to do that because there is no way to change out to a different changer because of the unique cable arrangement. And (2) Trust me, even though you'll never look me in the eye and we'll do everything long distance, I can sell you cables that will let you interconnect everything and a new Alpine CD Changer, and if it doesn't work, then there's only a 10% restocking fee plus shipping charges. But trust me you'll be happy.

Until I read through this thread, my skepticism was winning out. It looks like maybe there are people out there I can trust and that I can indeed buy a CD Changer that will handle MP3's CDRs & etc, and that it will work with my OEM amplifier and head unit.

Am I correct? If yes, what exactly do I need to buy and who should I contact. My wife's looking at this as a birthday present for me, but I'm only turning 63 so there are some cost issues.

Chuck Parker, Las Vegas