With the money I got from the government, I now feel "stimulated" to upgrade the radio in the '98. I want to go with something more modern with .mp3 and SD or USB capability to eliminate the CD and cassette drives. I also want to integrate bluetooth for my phone. I also REALLY want it to be a match for the interior. The stock radio is perfect and I'd really like the same clean, understated design for a replacement. No colors or flashing displays or chrome.

I found this unit:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=300&i=020FB275BB&tp=5684&tab=review&rvm=ShowAllt

It looks great but seems to get lukewarm reviews. Anybody seen anything similar?

Thanks!

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Evan,

Don't bother replacing the head unit, it is of good build quality. Instead, buy this and hook up your iPod flawlessly for perfect sound. I bought one and haven't looked back. Excellent product. Charges iPod and you can control the iPod via the stock head unit controls.

http://indashpc.org/new/ipod_adapters/grom-ipod-mb.html

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

If you want to keep a stock look, getting an aftermarket Ipod interface isn't a bad way to go. When the HU's failed in two of my cars though, I replaced both with Alpine HU's and both times was very satisfied with the swap. The illumination color usually doesn't match, but the displays aren't too flashy and they tend to finish their faceplates in shades of glossy dark grey, which looks pretty good in a Benz dash. Also, unless you have a premium sound package, you'll probably get a little bit of a bump in power coming from the HU with aftermarket.

Anthony

I have the Bose system in the car now. Currently, I have a problem with the controller "decoupling" from the changer. This happens when I have the CD selected and when I start the car cold, the glow cycle is just long enough for the music to start playing, then get interupted when I crank the engine resulting in a "CD None" message about 50% of the time. I just have to power off and back on the controller and it works fine again but it's annoying.

I don't currently own an ipod because I'm not someone who is listening to music all the time or has discovered another use for it. that's just never been my lifestyle. I ONLY listen in the car or maybe during a party or other social event.

Another feature I want is the ability for the radio to mute when I answer the phone so bluetooth integration would be nice...

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

I installed an original equipment Alpine Audio 10 unit.

This is an original equipement radio that was offered only in Europe.

It his significantly better audio quality than your stock becker unit.

It plays CD-R and CD-RWs.

You can install a cable that plugs into the cd changer port at the back of the head unit, and plugs into your iPod.

See:

www.audio-10.com

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

You can also find them for sale on ebay:

Search for Mercedes Audio 10:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-MB-Audio-10-1DIN-original-CD-Radio-player_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a552Q7c39Q3a1Q7c65Q3a12QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem1 80247559475QQitemZ180247559475

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

i like that audio 10!!! would it work in a 1984 W126? any ipod connection/interface options?

__________________
1993 Mercedes Benz 300D 2.5 205K (ex wife's)
1984 Mercedes Benz 300SD 320K (SOLD)
2004 Mercedes Benz C240 75K
1995 GMC Sierra 2WD 5.7L 188K
1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD 239K (SOLD)
1987 BMW 325i 220K (SOLD FOR SALVAGE)

609 Certification

I don't know if it will work in a W126. I would e-mail the company that sells them in the link I provided above.

There are several cables that will work with this head unit. It plugs into the cd changer input.

The one I have is sold by Dension.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Link to the denison thing?



I wanna get my iPod hooked up in my G500.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

www.dension.com

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Audio 10 should plug right in and function as a head unit in the 126 but it won't
coexist with the changer as the Audio 10 is D2b fiber compliant and you still
are wired for analog connectivity to the changer.

__________________
-- raymond~
47º 34'N 122º 18'W

it has a built in single cd slot in the head unit right? (i do not have a trunk cd changer).

the dension link does not have an ipod adapter for older cars, any other ipod hook ups for audio 10?

i see on www.audio-10.com that there are 3 versions; alpine audio-10, alpine audio- 10 CRW and a becker audio- 10. ($198-$230) which one you guys like?

__________________
1993 Mercedes Benz 300D 2.5 205K (ex wife's)
1984 Mercedes Benz 300SD 320K (SOLD)
2004 Mercedes Benz C240 75K
1995 GMC Sierra 2WD 5.7L 188K
1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD 239K (SOLD)
1987 BMW 325i 220K (SOLD FOR SALVAGE)

609 Certification

Yes, it has a built-in cd slot in the head unit, and that is the reason why I bought one.

I was ready to hook up my iPod cable, but by doing so, I was losing my cd changer.

With the old Becker unit, I would be 100% unable to play CD's, which I don't plan on doing, but I still like to have the option.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I'm not sure I understand the question.

The audio-10 uses the Ice Link fiber optic connection.

I wouldn't think it would matter what year car the unit was installed in. The Ice Link adaptor would have to fit the head unit.

If the Audio 10 unit you purchase is for the W210 E class mercedes, I would buy the adaptor that is made for that model.

However, I am not implying that it would work 100%.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Thanks for the info guys, I'll start investigating this stuff a little more in-depth...

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250