Can I replace Becker stock radio with aftermarket radio? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Pweber · #1 07-16-2007, 12:39 PM

If I just replace just the head unit on my 1996 E300D can a replacement Kenwood or Pioneer get along fine with the factory speakers, etc. assuming I buy and adapter wire harness?

James L · #2 07-16-2007, 03:34 PM

My question is why? Why would you want to replace the stock head unit? A new Pioneer or Kenwood may get you that "midnight in Hong Kong" look but nothing looks as good as OE. Not to mention the possible breakage of the console/trim to install, the wiring headaches. It will not sound any better, if anything it will invite thieves to smash your windows. Keep the OE Becker and use an ipod with a Belkin FM transmitter.

Also, it may hurt resale, many buyers want the OE radio and aftermarket head units turns some away.

G-Benz · #3 07-16-2007, 04:41 PM

I think the later model MBs are "plug-n-play" harnesses...earlier ones, may require a harness from Crutchfield.

I know I can't obtain anything to replace the harness on my Becker Grand Prix, so I'm slowly fabricating a new harness to work with the Blaupunkt I recently purchased.

I say to "each his own" as far as aftermarket radios are concerned. I personally didn't care to mess with the OEM Becker on my W124, but after my head gasket job (three weeks with no battery), the internal security failed on the OEM radio and wouldn't boot up after entering the codes.

Becker wants about $180 to reset the unit, and I wasn't about to spend any money on a deck with no audio output from the cassette and a burnt-out backlit display.

Car audio technology has made great strides in a decade or so, and you can obtain a far superior head unit cheaper than a refurbished Becker radio. Plus, you can take advantage of features like mp3 CD capability, and iPod and satellite radio interfaces.

There are many nice understated head units out there that don't have displays that look like a mini dance club resides behind it!

I picked up a close-out MP36 for $64 that has selectable illumination...in this case, amber...

Pweber · #4 07-17-2007, 09:27 AM

My problem is the volume control knob is flakey on the Becker. (Also if is not even a CD player) So many times you try to turn it down and it jumps to full volume. I also want some of the new features the new decks have. I have a Sony unit in my Passat TDI with USB interface. I take a $10 1GB USB jump drive in to work and when I get in the car the next time I have 250 songs that I like. The next day it can be all different. I have had the radio out and when I sell the car I can drop the factory Becker back in it in 10 mins if I use an adapter harness. My question is will the normal speaker outputs drive the stock system's speakers fine? Also, is there an external amp between the Becker and the speakers I am going to have issues with?

Grdenko · #5 07-19-2007, 05:11 PM

why not? i have a pioneer head unit in my '91, got it for the CD player (back before anyone had ipods mind you) Im very happy with it. The only compatibility problem was with the center console fade switch, it doesnt work anymore but i just use the pioneer for fade anyway. another problem is that once you put a new receiver in youre gunna want new speakers!

I took the looks of it into consideration, i got the plainest one i could find. I understand what james means, but i need a cd player, those FM transmitters hardly work at all in the city. If you do get a new receiver though, be sure to hang on to the old one for resale value. its probably not worth that much anyway.

Pweber · #6 07-23-2007, 04:09 PM

Anyone know who sells adapter harnesses for the w210 chassis? (1996 in my case)

Matt L · #7 07-23-2007, 05:58 PM

I plugged a Blaupunkt directly into my '96. It worked fine, but it had a serious case of "Midnight in Tokyo" and had to go.

Pweber · #8 07-23-2007, 06:48 PM

So, would you predict a newer Blaupunkt would plug in direct yet? Or was the one you tried an older model?

KAdams4458 · #9 07-24-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

...I picked up a close-out MP36 for $64 that has selectable illumination...in this case, amber...

I'm glad to see someone else has found this model. I discovered it a few weeks back while searching for head units that wouldn't look terribly out of place in my '77 300D. It's simple enough, with chrome that seems to compliment the original sparse interior chrome, plus it's dirt cheap.

Two questions for you, if you don't mind. Where did you find it for $64? I can't find it for less than $79 plus shipping, and I'm cheaper than cheap sometimes. I'm also curious to hear your opinions of the sound and functionality. Both are pretty subjective, but any review would be helpful at this point. I'm probably pretty close to buying this exact model within the next month or two.

tinkerer · #10 07-31-2007, 07:11 PM

I'm taking out the non-working Becker from a 89 260E - putting in a fairly low-key Sony. Didn't know there was a replacement Becker, but this isn't a car for show/resale anyway. Got it not working for a dollar, runs now, radio was next item to fix. Car is in good shape.

Got the speakers all working with the Sony but have a problem with the antenna driver.

The Mercedes manual on DVD says the antenna control wire is blue, but the only blue wire of the back of the original Becker appears to be a chassis ground that connects to a tab on the lower back center of the radio.

Also on the back of the radio is a 5 wire plug that has only one wire (black) in the center position of the 5. I can't find this wire anywhere on the 89 260E wiring diagram.

Anybody get an aftermarket radio to run the antenna - how'd you do it? What's the other wire?

Thanks.

Matt L · #11 07-31-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pweber

So, would you predict a newer Blaupunkt would plug in direct yet? Or was the one you tried an older model?

I'll try to remember to find it, but it wasn't really very old. I would predict that a newer model would work (but won't control your CD changer).