As for I am a new member/owner I thank all for their advise in advance.
My stock Becker radio has controls for a trunk changer, I need to know if my radio is prewired for a changer and also which changer will it fit. Can it be Becker and/or Alpine and which years would fit ?

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'94 E420 ///AMG
Mono-White
AMG Body Kit
18" Brabus IV's w/Pirelli Nero's
Clear corners
Burl Wood Shifter
Sport Wood Wheel
Avantgarde Grille
Remus exhaust

I have the same vehicle. Your radio is probably a Becker 1492 model radio. The 6 CD Changer is model MC3194.

There should already be a connector for this unit in your trunk. Check near the rear right speaker in your trunk.

For more information, check out http://www.beckerautosound.com/

I just went through this a month ago. Buy an Alpine 620 six cd changer , which i have seen for as low as $210 new, and a $35 PEI adapter cable for it. In your trunk, on the passenger side, behind the interior wall, is a 10 pin molex type connector. This is the cable from the lousy Becker "head unit". Plug the adapter cable into that, the other end goes to the Alpine m-bus port, and you are in business. Works as advertised with all functions. (all 4 of 'em)
jp

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John Pazdan
94 E420

Then by all means get it. I'm not sure how much better or worse it is than the factory model. I'd just find where you could get it the cheapest. Heck, do a search on this forum. I sure someone has replaced their stereo system and has the old CD unit sitting in their basement!

By the way, I'm told that the radio in the car could actually be made by Becker or Alpine. They look identical and the only way you would know is to take it out.

As far the quality of the Becker 1492 radio goes... I disagree. I think it sounds great. The only complaint I have about it is that the antenna stays up with the radio is playing CDs. I think this is a design flaw.

I beg to differ re the Becker radio/merc speaker system. It's eq'ed like the first series of Walkmans (men?)..scooped mids, flacid artificial bass and thin boosted highs. It is perfectly suited for replicating "smooth jazz".. what the weather station plays- or that "music" that comes on when they are showing you the layout of the par five 15th hole at the Buick Open. Different strokes I guess.

Unfortunately, it is installed so as to be very expensive to change..new dash unit, new speakers, probably new power amps, x overs, etc. and then one wouldn't have the "factory" system, except for a bunch of outdated, $$ components in a box at the back of your garage.

This is not a proper stereo for a $52,000 car. The factory rig in my wifes 94 Accord sounds better.

The alpine 620 cd changer is the correct one for this car, but as I posted a while back, it is old technology, and a stop gap until a good in-dash cd/mp3 player/changer comes on the market later this year. I needed a cd changer and bought the Alpine, but if I didn't listen to music for a living, I'd wait until summer, there will be plenty of better things to choose from. Napster or no Napster.
jp

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John Pazdan
94 E420

No problem. Since you listen to music for a living, I'll give on the fact that you probably have a better ear than I do.

When you finally get to replace the unit, I bet you'll be able to get rid of the old one on ebay.

How's is your 94 E420 treating you? I just purchased mine in January and so far so good.

Well finally, with all your good advise I bought the Alpine changer(620S model) and installed it yesterday, it took me 10 minutes. It works great with all the(four) functions from my factory radio. Now that the changer is in place I think I might have to replace my right door speaker cause is sound like crap, other than that it sounds great. Anyone have any suggestions on what's a good speaker to replace it with and how difficult it is to take the door apart ?

Once again thanks to everyone in this forum, you were all very helpful. I must add it feels really good to be a part of the Benz Club. I feel like I belong here.

p.s. fell in love with the Benz when I drove my friends '92 300E with 155k miles and with 5 people inside, I got on the highway stepped on the gas and of we went with such speed and grace, I mean the car drove like new. That's when I realized I'm getting myself a Benz.

Good Day Gents, YO

__________________
'94 E420 ///AMG
Mono-White
AMG Body Kit
18" Brabus IV's w/Pirelli Nero's
Clear corners
Burl Wood Shifter
Sport Wood Wheel
Avantgarde Grille
Remus exhaust

Glad you like the changer. Let me know what you find out about the speaker. I think I notice a crackle in my front door passenger speaker as well.

Willy
94 E420

Willy,

As it turned out it wasn't the speaker, it was the door wood. There are three little nuts in the back of the wood and as I read in one of the threads here they loosen up with time and make this really pesky noise. It took me about an hour to figure out the disassembly of the door. The hardest thing was to unscrew the main bolt that's holding everything together, when you remove the plastic trim around the door handle and seat adjustment controls (you have to remove them very carefully) you will find it behind the protective foam. The passenger door was easy, but when I did my door it was a true pain and it took a lot of persistence and pressure to get the bolts rolling. I used blue loctite to help tighten the little nuts (it helps against vibrations). The radio sounds great now, like brand new, no more unwanted and very pesky sounds. I hope yours is the same.

Good Luck, YO

__________________
'94 E420 ///AMG
Mono-White
AMG Body Kit
18" Brabus IV's w/Pirelli Nero's
Clear corners
Burl Wood Shifter
Sport Wood Wheel
Avantgarde Grille
Remus exhaust