Just ordered a Pioneer Premier DEH-P770MP. I called Crutchfield and ordered a vw/audi harness. This was after reading the previous posts about a vw harness working with the factory plug from the becker. Is this correct? Do you indeed have to cross two wires when using these wiring harness adapters?
Many thanks to those who contributed to this forum...it's helped me out yet again.

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83 300sd, 280K Blue/Blue Leather (~24mpg)
95 E300D, 150K Champaigne/Parchment(~33mpg)

Hi Greg,
I just put a Pioneer 4700 unit in my '95 E300D. I used a Crutchfield harness adaptor. I have not seen the reference to crossing wires that you refer to, however after I did my install I had to switch two wires.

The Crutchfield diagram for the harness shows an always hot wire, and a hot with ignition wire (red and yellow, IIRC) matching to like colored wires on the head unit. I found that the functions of these two wires were reversed. When I finished wiring up the head unit, it would lose memory presets, etc. when the key was off. I used my meter to determine that the always hot lead as shown was incorrect, in fact it was the other lead which was always hot, etc. So check which is which before you solder it all up.

I have another question - the Crutchfield adaptor did not take into account the second, smaller plug on the Becker radio - so my door speakers do not work. Anyone else dealt with this?

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D

I haven't done the install yet but a previous thread that I cannot find now indicated that the yellow and red wires had to be crossed to get the setup correct. Thanks for the confirmation.

I was wondering how the door subs would fit into this....It sounds like you are giving me the information that they don't get powered due to lack of a small adaptor. I think I saw your post about the install you did...it was very helpful. Thanks for the info.

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83 300sd, 280K Blue/Blue Leather (~24mpg)
95 E300D, 150K Champaigne/Parchment(~33mpg)

This is a very interesting discussion. I have a 95 E300D and I'm considering replacing the head unit and upgrading the speakers. So how are the door subs powered? I wrongfully assumed that there was some sort of crossover between the front speakers and the door speakers...but from the comments above it sounds like they are driven by the head unit separately from the front speakers???

I finished the install and the door subs are not powered or in use. I used a vw wiring harness and crossed the red/yellow wires. I did have to get a euro antenna adapter to finish the install. The only function that doesn't work is the dimmer function when the headlights are turned on but since nothing in the car does that anyway normally I don't suspect it's possible. I'll defer to others who may know more...

When I pulled the stock unit there were two connectors. One main larger connector and the second was smaller for the pre-wired cd changer connection in the trunk.

I'm thinking that the best bass would be generated from a sub box in the trunk rather than trying to get door subs to do the job. Anyway..easy install after you get into it. I'll try to post a picture later.

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83 300sd, 280K Blue/Blue Leather (~24mpg)
95 E300D, 150K Champaigne/Parchment(~33mpg)

I have a '93 300E that has a bad door speaker. I have installed a Panasonic unit and a Kenwood amp and the system sounds great except the missing door speaker. I had a set of Boston Acustic speakers placed in the door befor I realized that they were my bass. I want the stock speakers as they are crystal clear, but at 240.00 a piece from the dealer I need a less expensive alternative. Any speaker recommendations for the doors?