All, my wife has a 1990 300e that the factory Becker Grand Prix radio died on. I replaced it with another one from ebay that lasted a year. I bought another one that won't reset. ARRGH!

I have looked at lots of aftermarket radios, most look like a cross between a Las Vegas casino and a wannabe street racer.

I am looking for a new radio CD player that will install with a minimum of hassle, work with the factory wiring, and look as conservative as my white/ black interior 300e.

Any suggestions? I don't want to shake the pavement, conduct concerts for audophiles or anything else. Just want a modern radio for the car.

Try picking up a used Nakamichi 45z on Ebay...All black styling with very consevative looks...Love mine...Performs well too...

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83 300CDTurbo 307,000
2005 Honda Element 266,000
56 Nash Ambassador Country Club Special 34,000(under restoration presently)

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/car-audio-multimedia/125099-123-install-extreme-dynamat.html

You could also look at some of the older Blaupunkts (sp?). Nice sound, good price, and conservative styling. Before donating my 123 to charity, I made sure to take mine out to use again someday!

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Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.

Aside from the Nakamichi's and (older) Blau's, I have an Alpine in mine, and it looks fine. Looking at pictures online, I wasn't sure I would like it, but once I installed it I did.

Was it easy to use the factory wiring with the Nak or Alpine or Blau? Did you (or your installer) need a harness to use the factory speakers?

I think Crutchfield sells a harness that looks like it matches the hookups on the early 124s for about 15 dollars. I don't know if it works for the cars with the amplified sound system, which starts somewhere around 89-91 and later.

I didn't have this adapter, so I ended up splicing the radio wiring harness into the car wiring. It's kind of a pain tracking down all the wires, but once you identify what goes where, it's pretty straightforward crimping/soldering stuff together.

you could try finding a becker froma newer benz, but not sure if that will work.

I myself am a big fan of pioneer head units, A little flashy, but I like the way they work and sound.

The others made some great suggestions to look into.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

I bought an alpine from crutchfield last week for my 94 e320 easiest install ever! The mount that comes with it snaps into place (like snap). Also when I purchased it they gave me a free wiring harness, factory radio removal tools,euro to us fm adaptor and some instruction book I didn't read. All for under $249 with free shipping! I could have e-bayed but I would need all the xtras. Also remember to switch the yellow and red wires on the harness or else radio will not have memory.

Wow- that's awesome.

I traded email with Crutchfield and they say they cannot establish fit on a 500E and therefore cannot provide the accessories, wiring harness, instructions, etc. They are saying I need to find a local installer.

I cannot imagine the 500E is that different from other W124's with the Becker 1432 head unit.

michaelrking:

If you're looking for new, and want to keep the stock look, you could try a Becker. The BE4602 is made for a car like yours. www.perfectmarketaudio.com