I am about to start on the first of the audio upgrades in my newly acquired 00 c230k. I USED to have a set of those mb radio keys that pull the head unit out, but over the years they were misplaced.

I went to my local mb dealer today and he looked at me with a strange face, and said oh we dont sell those. Im like I have purchased them here before years ago. Anyhow to make a long story short, he doesn't have them, and claimed after looking in his computer for a bit, that they aren't available.

On my friends c230 i got the radio out by slipping two nail files into it, but it cracked one of the bottom buttons, his head unit had a bad display so he gave me the go ahead to break it if need be when replacing it.

Anyone know for sure what will work without damaging the radio at all. Id like to save it in case I do ever return the car to stock.

Thanks in advance,

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

i've seen radio removal tool kits for sale on ebay pretty cheap.

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"the simplest answer is usually the correct answer"

1991 190e, 2.6 (helga)
91,000 mi

I brought my becker radio keys from the dealer and it cost me $3.50. Although the dealer is a independent business, he is obligated to find you the right MB parts.

Alternatively, you can get it from BECKER North Aamerica for I think $1.5+SH

http://www.beckerautosound.com/

The darn part is so cheap why make one. BTW, the becker keys aare way superior to whatt you can buy at BESTbuy. (another source)

i will loan you mine if you want, i can send them to you in the mail

The "It's not available line" is a classic stumped parts guy line. They are able to get it, just try another day when somebody more experienced is working.

Believe me, I'm a parts guy, and I've been stumped many times. The parts guy has two choices... swallow their pride and ask somebody else in the parts dept on how to locate it, or save face and try to make the customer go away.

Try Caliber Motors at 1-800-252-6877.

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Fred Hoelzle

http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereoremovalLandRover.htm

I just got an Alpine for my car. I was supprised to see that the keys did not come with it. I had to remove it again and was able to use two long 0.015" feeler blades. I was also able to remove my old CLarion unit that way so I think the mounting system is prety universal.

John Roncallo