W123 front speaker removal

[rav2113]

Hi i have a W123 1982 Mercedes 300D turbo, and i need to know the size of the front speakers. And i need help removing it, because i cant find a way to take them off only if i remove the dash and i do not want to get in that mess .

WILL SOME ONE PLEASE HELP ME

[Lance Brown]

Originally Posted by rav2113

Hi i have a W123 1982 Mercedes 300D turbo, and i need to know the size of the front speakers. And i need help removing it, because i cant find a way to take them off only if i remove the dash and i do not want to get in that mess .

WILL SOME ONE PLEASE HELP ME

i just did this very task this morning.

remove the one philips head screw closest to you, lift speaker grill and wiggle untul the tabbed front releases.

the speaker is an oddball 4". i'm in the process of finding the right replacement as well. i'll post when i find a solution.

-lance

[Marshall Welch]

I am about to start upgrading my audio system as well. I also have a 1982 300D-Turbodiesel. I had a sales person at a good local car audio shop look at the car and he measured the stock front speakers and told me that they were 3 (three) inches in diameter. The rear speakers are 4 inches. At least this appears to be the case for my car- maybe other W123's are different.

He recommended replacing them with some Pioneer speakers. He said that the 3-inch size would have to be special ordered.

He said they had done a fair number of upgrades to these cars and that they usually recommended a Nakamichi car stereo (I believe a CD-400) and the Pioneer speakers. This was if the owner didn't want to put in larger speakers, subwoofers, amps and so on. He said the Nakamichi looks good in these cars and doesn't have quite the ultramodern flashy look that young thieves seem to like. It has a detachable face anyhow.

I look forward to hearing more about how your upgrade goes.

-M Welch
Seattle, WA

[Lance Brown]

hi marshall,

i've done a little research on my own with this by removing the speakers, measuring and speaking to crutchfield consultants. from what i've gathered is that the speakers are oddball sizes (indicative of the time they were made).

basically from my understanding, this is what i've found:

the front speakers are what's called "4M"- they are 4" speakers that don't have a standard mounting pattern. the top of the speaker (closest to the windshield) has standard mounting points. the bottom of the apeaker, however, is where there is non-standard mounting points. crutchfield stated that they recommend the 3.5" speakers, as well, and include a plastic sheet to make your own custom adapter to mount the speaker to the non-standard points. after looking at the 3.5" & 4" speaker options, i've opted to order some 4" sony 2way speakers to try to customize fitting into the dash. i know it's somewhat risky (wasting the money), but i feel it's less customizing than doing the crutchfield method of custom cutting plastic. all i really "should" have to do is cut the bottom tabs off the 4" speaker and the rest "should" fit like a glove. i'll know soon about this.

the rear speakers are more of an issue if you want to retain a stock look. they are 5" speakers which are non-standard these days as well. i'm surprised your speaker shop said they were 5". crutchfield recommended 5.25" speakers and minor cutting of the package shelf to accomodate the extra .25". you can't use the "stock" speaker grills with this method. personally, i want to keep the stock speaker grill look. so, i'm investigating reconing the stock speakers with upgraded speaker materials. i'm in process of investigating this. there is a caveat with this. with reconing you don't get a 2way or 3way speaker; it stays "full range", unless you opt to doing a bit more customization by adding a crossover and a separate tweeter. i'm investigating this as well.

keep in touch with what you find. i'll do the same.

-lance

Originally Posted by Marshall Welch

I am about to start upgrading my audio system as well. I also have a 1982 300D-Turbodiesel. I had a sales person at a good local car audio shop look at the car and he measured the stock front speakers and told me that they were 3 (three) inches in diameter. The rear speakers are 4 inches. At least this appears to be the case for my car- maybe other W123's are different.

He recommended replacing them with some Pioneer speakers. He said that the 3-inch size would have to be special ordered.

He said they had done a fair number of upgrades to these cars and that they usually recommended a Nakamichi car stereo (I believe a CD-400) and the Pioneer speakers. This was if the owner didn't want to put in larger speakers, subwoofers, amps and so on. He said the Nakamichi looks good in these cars and doesn't have quite the ultramodern flashy look that young thieves seem to like. It has a detachable face anyhow.

I look forward to hearing more about how your upgrade goes.

-M Welch
Seattle, WA

[Marshall Welch]

Thanks for your input. Sounds like you've been doing some homework. I'll keep in touch.

Marshall Welch
Seattle, WA
1982 300D-Turbodiesel

[Hit Man X]

Have you found out by chance what the max mounting depth is up front and the max mounting height for the fronts?

I'd run 3.5" or 4"... doesn't matter to me, as long as they'll fit under stock covers. Either will be high passed around 250-400Hz (have to listen to tell) on a 24db/oct slope... I love JL amps for the money!

[300TDT wagon]

I'm also trying to upgrade/update the audio system.
Please post whats worked for you.
I'm going to attempt to install Aura Bass Shaker sytem on the floor under the front seats.
Sure do wish I could figure out how to get a mid driver in the kick panel or door panel.

Hit Man X, do you have a wagon or sedan?


Aaron

[DesertStar]

Did my upgrade 5 weeks ago.
Watch out for the speaker depth...I bought 4" infinity reference which fit diameter wise but not depth (magnet too big) and tweeter too high to utilize stock dash/speaker cover. I subbed a 3.5" JL Audio speakers instead. I put 5" infinity reference in the back with just minor trimming with a razor knife.
Watch out on those small speakers in the front as I did not install a "bassblocker" and blew them out 2 minutes after the install (GoodGuys exchanged them and gave me a bassblocker) ...all is well now.
I also recommend upgrading your speaker wire....it is a 3 hour job but the 14 gauge wire is much more compatible with todays speakers and receivers.
Have fun !!

Originally Posted by 300TDT wagon

I'm also trying to upgrade/update the audio system.
Please post whats worked for you.
I'm going to attempt to install Aura Bass Shaker sytem on the floor under the front seats.
Sure do wish I could figure out how to get a mid driver in the kick panel or door panel.

Hit Man X, do you have a wagon or sedan?


Aaron

Aaron.

Why would you use the bass shakers?
Since you have a wagon you can use a nice box
with dual 10" or 12 subs.
Once I have the money I'll be putting in a custom
wood and plexi box loaded with a 15" square Kicker solo baric.

Right now I have a bandpass box in it with dual 8" subs
and it sounds not bad but lacks a little low end.
So, the dual 10's should be just fine for some booty shaking.

BTW I have a 84 wagon.

Louis.

[Lance Brown]

Originally Posted by DesertStar

Did my upgrade 5 weeks ago.
Watch out for the speaker depth...I bought 4" infinity reference which fit diameter wise but not depth (magnet too big) and tweeter too high to utilize stock dash/speaker cover. I subbed a 3.5" JL Audio speakers instead. I put 5" infinity reference in the back with just minor trimming with a razor knife.
Watch out on those small speakers in the front as I did not install a "bassblocker" and blew them out 2 minutes after the install (GoodGuys exchanged them and gave me a bassblocker) ...all is well now.
I also recommend upgrading your speaker wire....it is a 3 hour job but the 14 gauge wire is much more compatible with todays speakers and receivers.
Have fun !!

Desert Star,

thanks for the info - especially the bass blocker info. did you do any custom mounting fabrication for your 3.5" speakers? which model infinity's did you use? were you able to use the stock covers in the rear? i'm also curious about the speaker wire install. did you tie the new wire to the old wire and "pull through"? if not, how did you do it?

thanks,
lance

[Hit Man X]

Originally Posted by 300TDT wagon

I'm also trying to upgrade/update the audio system.
Please post whats worked for you.
I'm going to attempt to install Aura Bass Shaker sytem on the floor under the front seats.
Sure do wish I could figure out how to get a mid driver in the kick panel or door panel.

Hit Man X, do you have a wagon or sedan?


Aaron

A sedan is what I'm looking at getting.

[DesertStar]

Lance,
I used the Infinity "Reference" speakers...they sound awesome with the utmost clarity.....although bass is limited based on their size naturally.
The from speakers required no mods...I just bent the metal edge of the speaker mounts that have the holes in them in an angle such that the speakers sit lower but still utilize the screw holes.

The rear speakers will not utilize the stock speaker covers....but the Infinitys look O.K....and probably could be painted if you insisted to match the interior.

Now for the speaker wires...I thought, like you that it would be as easy as tying on to the old and yanking....NOT. You will have to pull the panel in the trunk that protects the fueltank, rear seat upper and lower, driverseat and carpeting as well as under dash panels...it actually sounds worse than it is and takes about 1 hour at the most to yank it out. Once all is out you can work away wiring in the same path as the old.....I left the old wire in just for spite. The wires run from the radio through the driver side of the shifter console and under a black plastic wire cover which is on the floorboard....believe me once you pull the seats out and carpeting you will see all you have to do.

I have the Alpine receiver which works well and with my speaker setup it sounds clear and crisp....however if BASS is your thing you will need to do something for that....I am considering an underseat amplified subwoofer just to add that little extra but am waiting awhile for the $$$ situation to settle.
My freinds that have the big bass systems really like my clarity and highs and mids my system provides and tell me all I need is some serious bass to compliment my system....that will come later.

Now it is off to the adjusting of the valves project.

Have fun

[phantoms]

You should be able to fit a 8" to 10" woofer in the space occupied by the first aid kit.

[Hit Man X]

Originally Posted by phantoms

You should be able to fit a 8" to 10" woofer in the space occupied by the first aid kit.

Free air subs don't have the SQ sealed/ported (proper ported) woofers tend to do. But for sure it's a great idea...

[300TDinDC]

After reading this thread & consulting Crutchfield's webpage, I bought two pairs of Pioneer TS-G1040R's (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1067391222565&skuId=6195949&productCategoryId=cat03074&type=product). (added bonus is right now it's buy one pair, get second 1/2 off). They're 4" and fit perfectly in the dash and in the C pillar-meet-roof of my wagon. By removing 1-2 of the tabs, they can be fit into the hole in the dash and won't protrude beyond where the dash curves down towards the windshield. I don't think I can retrofit the original speaker's clips to the new speakers, so I will probably just screw them down into the dash (not a problem since this area is covered by the dash speaker grill). In the rear, MB has a different screw-hole pattern for 1/2 the speakers. The OEM speakers caem with standard screw holes and the "4M" holes; for the new speakers, I just intend to not screw them in at the corners where the holes don't align. Or, if I feel like I have time, I might drill holes into the speaker mounting plate to match the speaker. Also, NOTE WAGON OWNERS, the foam surrounding the original rear speakers gets sticky gooey over time. Some of mine fell onto the carpeted floor and has become a real headache to get out. Remove the speakers immediately once you've removed the headliner surround, and scrape off all of the foam before it destroys something you love. I plan on getting some house door-weatherstripping sticky-back foam tape to mount at the edges of the new speakers to replicate the original foam, which I assume was there to a)reduce noise dispersion into the cavity between roof & headliner b)keep the headliner surround properly spaced from the speakers.

I'd like to know from 300TDT hwo the aura bass-shakers work, if you installed them yet. I too want some more bass, but am not about to ruin the functionality of the cargo area with a bass box. A few manufacturers (clarion, kenwood, others?) make powered sub-like boxes that are only a few inches deep to fit under the seats, but they are about $300!