My Becker CD changer died and I'm looking at replacing the head unit with a Becker 4602 AM/FM single CD with MP3/aux input. I'm also looking at the Blaupunkt Laguna and Acapulco, but aesthetically neither of those trip my trigger. Just wondering if anyone has had experience with these units and whether they work as advertised with the iPod.

Thanks,

Todd

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Where did you find that unit and how much?

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Daily Driver: 02 E430 4MATIC
In the family: '03 E500 // '04 ML500 // 64 220SE

$479 @ SWStereo.

Why not skip the CD player and go with a direct iPod interface to your existing head unit? I'm aiming for that scenario in our '95 E320 wagon - the USA Spec iPod interface, and necessary cable/dongle, purportedly will plug right into the stock CD changer cable in the pass side rear quarterpanel area. You'll find it via the Crutchfield "What fits my car" sequence, and then 'iPod and portable to factory audio"

If you don't mind me asking - I've been poking around in said quarterpanel - where exactly IS the CD changer cable back in there? We've got a spare iPod (bad battery) and hoping just to leave it in there.

Thanks,
Jonathan

The '99 uses the wonderfully unique fiber optic cable connecting system from Becker, and NOBODY is making an aftermarket adapter for it in the US market. There are some availabilities in the UK, but I don't know yet if there are compatibility issues over here.

As to the location, in the '99, the CD changer lives in the passenger rear wheel well (the spare tire lives in the driver rear wheel well). The changer is attached to a bracket in the wheel well and then connected (on my year) via that fiber optic cable to the head unit. I bought the unit aftermarket from a dealer to save $200 and just plugged it in. The cable was just laying in the wheel well covered in a plastic bag when I took delivery of the car. The CD changer works great, but then so did Betamax, and I'm glad I didn't invest in that obsolete technology as well. In short, the '99 is proving to be uncooperative when it comes to iPod connectivity.

dension makes an adapter for the fiber system in mercedes from 1998 and up to 2003 as far as I know. it replaces the cd changer.

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

I just found them on ipodmycar.com based in the UK. Are there compatibility issues with cars here? Sounds like I found my solution if not.

I have Dension iceLinks in two cars (and Audi with the stock stereo and my '93 300E with a Becker Monza). The iceLinks are good and bad. The one in the Audi works pretty well, though sometimes I have to restart the iPod for it to respond to the stereo's controls.

The one with the Becker hasn't been as good. Sometimes the Becker won't see that the iceLink is there and I have to cycle the power of the stereo on and off a few times before it recognizes it. Also, when the stereo is turned off/input is changed/etc. it's supposed to pause the iPod, and play when the stereo is turned on/input is changed back/etc. Initially this didn't work properly, and now it's not doing that at all.

Also, Dension's customer support is laughable.

On the plus side, the iceLink charges the iPod when it's plugged in, and being able to have some control of the iPod from the head unit is nice.

I wish there were a better solution but for now the iceLink isn't too bad.

Thanks to all for the input. I ordered the Dension IceLink and will see how things go. It seems like the best solution out there, and I'm not wild about changing my head unit for aesthetics. We'll see.