I have a Becker 780 radio/cassette in my 89 300SEL. I would like to install a aftermaket unit (radio +CD) with minimum changes to the installation. I would like to be able to use the antenna switch. Please recommend the best value for money and the wiring changes, as I assume many of you have gone through this. Is it possible to maintain the cassette option also.

Thanks

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SANDEEEP
89 300SEL
230,000Km

Unless you're looking for a unit with an external CD changer, the only practical way of keeping the cassette system is with a double DIN sized, cassette/CD player. If you are willing to negotiate on the cassette, then the whole world of single DIN units opens up for you.

Lets drop the casette wish. Suggest options

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SANDEEEP
89 300SEL
230,000Km

All major brands will have the wiring harness adapter to replace the Becker's and have antenna power switching. Your next considerations might be features, price and appearance. From a features point of view, since you apparently have a computer, consider an MP3 capable unit so that you can put hours of music on a single MP3 CD, or likewise consider a unit that has "AUX In" so that you can connect an external device such as an iPod or whatever comes in the future. Consider too, how you like to control the unit. There are owners that cannot deal with too many buttons or toggles and just want a volume control knob, not a rocker switch. Consider carefully, the interface. Prices range from under $200 to just under $400, installed, for a modern unit from makers like Blaupunkt, Pioneer, Sony, Panasonic, Alpine, Kenwood, etc. From a visual/aesthetic point, some modern units clash with the appearance with the more mature Mercedes. A good place to start shopping just for features and brands is www.crutchfield.com

Thanks for the info. When you say most brands will have the adapters does that mean that wiring does not need to be spliced. Also I do not know the wiring details of my unit. I know there is a 4 pin connector to extreme left, a black wire beside it and a ground (brown) and a three pin in the middle. The antitheft cable has been disconnected.

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SANDEEEP
89 300SEL
230,000Km

Cruthfield's harness adapter is $25 and with most adapters there's no cutting or splicing, so in the event you want to return you car to concours condition with an OEM radio, it's ready.

There was a good discussion of presentable head units that blend nicely with the older dash layouts you might want to peruse. Replacement Radio/CD w/o it Looking Like Midnight in Hong Kong
I agree that MP3 capability is the 'cutting edge', and I also agree that the cassette option is probably a waste of time and $$ (unless you have a lot of cassettes and like the format).
However, I think you will find the most variety and best pricing on in dash AM/FM/CD units. These are also esthetically the most compatible with the interior layout and color of the dash buttons (usually black and white).
There are units out there that have multiple CD in-dash capability too. Nakamichi makes a really spiffy unit that plays 6 CD's in-dash, and there are older alpines that do this too. I guess you need to settle on your price limit too.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are many compatible CD changers that wire into the HU that you choose. And, you can always use an FM modulated changer to connect at a later date.
I've purchased equipment for 3 vehicles from EBay, and haven't had a disappointment yet (luck of the draw maybe?). I'm currently running a Blaupunkt Tokyo CD HU with consol mounted 5 CD changer in my 380SE, and had great success with Eclipse speakers and Pioneer HU and changer in my streetrod.
Speaking of speakers, one thing you will find is that the stock ones will sound terrible after you upgrade the HU. And, with the fader switch, you'll need to rewire anyway because it has a common ground that newer HU's can't accept (and they are probably 8 ohm too, which will restrict the power output severely).
Wiring adaptors are convenient, providing they fit the application, but the wiring for these is not very hard to figure out and do yourself either. Instead of crude splices, you can buy connectors that crimp on neatly and allow easy re-connection if needed. If you decide that the likelihood of returning the car to its stock Becker days is nil, then go ahead and cut and put in connectors that fit modern equipment configurations. The next owner will thank you for it too.
Think of this as a project to upgrade the sound system, not just the radio, and you'll quickly catch the bug and have more fun than you thought! Please keep us up to date on your selections...

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

Thanks for the info. I am not clear about the fader issue you bring out. Could you expalin a little bit more. Also newer HU are probably with built in amplifiers. Does this mean that I have to rewire alot and also that the existing preamplifier in the car are not to be used.

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SANDEEEP
89 300SEL
230,000Km

All of the speaker wiring, in pairs, FL, FR, RL, RR, goes to the fader. The 'common' terminals in this join the 'common' wire from the front and rear pairs together. To properly connect a new HU, which will have the fader function built-in, it will be necessary to disconnect all 4 pairs from the fader and re-connect them as 4 separate pairs to the new HU. I doubt that any aftermarket adapter alleviates you from doing this, but I could very well be wrong.
I'm not sure what 'pre-amplifier' you are referring to? I assumed that you have a self-contained Becker radio/cassette and 4 speakers. If so, all preamp/amplification is inside the Becker. Or do you have an external amp as well (ie., is the 780 a tuner/cassette/preamp, and there is an external amplifier)?

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

I may be wrong but I think my car has amplifiers behind the back seat. I am referring to these amplifiers.

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SANDEEEP
89 300SEL
230,000Km

All of the (older) Mercedes radios that I know of (including the 780) use an internal (integrated) power amplifier - one that will work without an external amp. Those cars that have external amps, accept the speaker level output from the radio and boost it.

I think the reasoning here was that Mercedes could then use one model of radio...and didn't have to use a different one if the optional amp was installed.

Ah Ha.... so if you are right Sura, and Sandeep, if those are indeed power amps behind the seat, then the picture gets a trifle more complicated, as far as connecting the audio components. However, I'd expect that if all you really want to do is change the HU, nothing more, the issue is going to be the audio connection from the new unit into the amp(s), since the speakers will be all wired into the amp(s) output. Not being at all familiar with the 89 300sel, I'll take a back seat until someone who is weighs in.
As for the power wiring, all 99% of aftermarket HU's require is a constant 12V wire, a 12V source switched from ignition or the radio, ground, and a 12V trigger connection to power up the antenna. A harness adapter may do this for you.

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

It plugged right into my 94 E320. No adapter necessary. My car has 6 speakers. The center ones are woofers only. The Blaupunkt used the existing Mercedes amp to power the woofers, and its own amps to power the other 2 pair. You need to read the sticker on the top of the radio. There is one connector to leave off because it is used for things like the alarm-radio connection. It will be obvious which one to leave off. The other two are for things like the power antenna or the speakers.

How did I know that the existing wiring would fit and corrrespond? I used the wiring harness sent by Crutchfield to identify the MB wiring. Even though the harness connector didn't fit correctly, I assumed the wiring was right. Then I compared the wiring to that on the radio diagram.

The result is outstanding. The difference is night and day. The Blaupunkt is currently on sale at Crutchfield for $129. They will send you the tools needed to remove your old radio for free.

The only DIN-sized unit that contains both a CD and a cassette is the Sanyo. It is a good unit. I have had one in my other car for over 3 years. But I can't comment on how it is wired. I needed an adapter to install it on a Japanese car.

Good Luck,

Charlie

The only reason to keep your casette unit is as a cheap way to get XM radio. It works great in my cars and I don't have to buy and keep-up with a bunch of CD's. Plus, who's gonna break into a Mercedes to steal a stock Becker casette player?

B