I've read the W124 stereo removal instrucitons in the D.I.Y. section, but it appears to be targeted towards the older W124's with Becker head units - I've got the Alpine (CM2396) in my '95 E320.

Does the center console still need to be removed for the newer W124's? And is there a different "special tool" for removing the newer head units?

Thanks,

Bill

Radio removal tools on ebay


theses will work if you have the original radio installed ,see link above

Thanks! Just ordered them up.

So...can you get the head unit out using just these tools, or do you still need to remove the console pieces?

Thanks,

Bill

once they are in, you use them to slide the radio out. just pull evenly

they also sell these cheaply at the dealership, i mean stealership
i bought them for like 12.**

Ok, I have the same stereo in my 95 e320 as Da Nag...

Do I need an "installation kit" when putting in a new stereo or do aftermarket stereos fit into the slot just fine? I looked on the internet, and they seem to have brackets/ installation kits for most other models then mine, so that,s why I ask

Thanks
John

No install kit needed, MB uses a standard ISO din mounting slot. You need a 1987-2002 VW harness if you dont want to cut up the factory wiring harness. but you need to switch the constant and switched +12v leads when you wire it up. You also need to add a pin to #5 (it comes with the harness), for the factory amp and antenna hookups.

See my attached wiring diagram for the pinouts at the head unit. Once you get the VW harness it will make sense.

Take care,

George

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__________________
George Androulakis

Former Mb's:

1990 500sl R129 - 76k Original Miles - New project - Follow the saga http://90r129.blogspot.com/
1990 190E 2.6 148k mi (sold)
1989 420 SEL 246k mi (sold)
1995 C220 175k mi (sold)
1992 190e 2.6 74k original miles (sold)
2000 c230 Kompressor 122k miles (RIP)
1996 C220 149k mi (sold)
2000 C230 Kompressor Sport 127k (sold)

Current Cars:

2009 Mercedes c300 4matic
2006 Mercedes s430
2005 Jaguar XJR
2003 Cadillac Escalade

George:

Thanks for the help. I installed my new head unit last night, and you were right, the wiring scheme was pretty obvious once I got the wiring harness. For future readers of this post, remember:

1. Rewire the constant and switched 12V to the oppisite on the wiring harness (in this case, red -> yellow, yellow -> red)
2. Even though your car may not have a powered antenna (mine doesn't), you still need to connect the powered antenna wires (blue in this case). If you don't, the unit powers on but no sound will come out

Keep these things in mind and installation will be a breeze. From pulling ou the stock Becker, to splicing the wiring together, to installing the new head unit, everything combined took less than 30 minutes, and that was even with having to pull the unit back out to splice the powered antenna wires together. I've never put in a car stereo before, but this was easy. Thanks again to this forum.

John

__________________
1995 E320 119,000 miles