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  #1  
Old 03-14-2009, 02:57 PM
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Recommended HU for w124?

Looking for a cheap, iPod compatible head unit for my 260E.

Doesn't have to have any flashy features like bluetooth...I just want it to look as "flush" with the traditional Benz w124 interior...No flashing lights or anything. Just want a basic, cheap as possible unit.

Any suggestions?

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  #2  
Old 03-16-2009, 02:50 PM
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Waaaay too many offerings...and so many of the inexpensive alternatives have features that you may want to consider over and above iPod compatibility...like HD radio, satellite-ready capability, and so forth.

Most head units are DIN sized, so you have a wide selection to choose from. But Blaupunkt, (being a German brand) probably has the teutonic styling that will blend best with your console.

That is what I went with. I also went for the feature that allows you to match the display color with the dashboard illumination.

Since my family has non-Apple players as well as iPods, I went for the unit that supported "AUX" input instead of dedicated iPod capability. An unused slot on the console doubled as a mini-phono jack...

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  #3  
Old 03-16-2009, 06:02 PM
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If you want inexpensive, clean looks, Blaupunkt is the way to go.
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  #4  
Old 03-16-2009, 07:00 PM
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I prefer the headunits with the AUX input instead of a dedicated ipod input. Why? the dedicated input requires you to use playlists instead of being able to browse. Well most of the headunits I looked at were like that.
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  #5  
Old 03-22-2009, 10:11 PM
Gene
 
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My cheap Premier by Pioneer has both aux and Ipod. I didnt get the least expensive ( $99), but the mid grade ( <$200.) Much cripser sound than the original BTW, and still using the BIG BOOM door speakers and rear amp.
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  #6  
Old 04-28-2009, 04:01 PM
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Well main reason I want the ipod connector is because I want to leave the ipod in the car and I can't do that without the connector because the battery will need to be recharged every few days.

Are there any recommended websites that give the cheapest prices? Like newegg is for computer parts.

Also, any good DIY pages for the wiring installation? I remember for my wagon it required an adapter or something? I had it done by bestbuy because it was free installation....but I don't wanna pay anybody this time around.

Any other information I need to know? What about the fader? How exactly do I bypass it?
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  #7  
Old 04-28-2009, 04:09 PM
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Installation is simple, you can get a metra harness so that you will not have to splice wires....

Blaupunkt units fit the dash quite well (but do not have that great ipod connectivity)...Crutchfield has quite a good selection and includes the harness and have a very good return policy...

If you want great Ipod integration I would go with one of the more low-key alpine units.
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  #8  
Old 04-28-2009, 10:42 PM
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Crutchfield shows $25 for the harness...Anywhere cheaper?

Is this the correct diagram for the W124 model?


I read that if I bypass the fader, I have to completely rewire the rear speakers...is this true? If so, how do I keep the fader intact? Bestbuy managed to make it work on my TE so its gotta be possible.
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Last edited by ps2cho; 04-28-2009 at 10:47 PM.
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  #9  
Old 04-29-2009, 01:18 AM
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if you buy the HU from them they will give you the harness for free....That looks right, but some of those wires will not be there on your 87/88 W124 i.e VSS wire
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  #10  
Old 04-29-2009, 01:47 AM
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I did some searching on benzworld forums and its possible to do it without the adapter.

Quote:
Originally Posted by YNVDIZW124 View Post
I don't know if there are such adapters for the w124? What i do is tap into the factory wires to wire up my stereo and still keep the factory harness....on a w124 Power is Grey, Remote is red, and Ground is brown, Power antenna is blue. To wire up the speakers i suggest you use your original head unit and unplug all the connections to the speakers and test one by one and lable them like FRD,FR,FLD,LF,RR,RL...etc or how ever you want. If you don't have any technical or electrical skills i suggest you go to a shop to have this done.
I am still confused over the fader though. How can I get the fader to still be functional and give power to the rear speakers?

Bestbuy did it with my wagon back in 2007....but I want to do it myself this time around. Its is possible obviously. Anybody know how?
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  #11  
Old 04-29-2009, 02:26 AM
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you should bypass the fader. newer headunits are much higher power and will cook it.

you may be able to access the rear speaker wires and fronts at the fader switch....

for wiring try http://techservices.audiovox.com sign up its free or
www.the12volt.com

alon
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  #12  
Old 05-04-2009, 10:20 PM
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I got the wiring diagram from the 12volt site...

I am left with two cables that I am not sure go to where??



I tried just powering it on and nothing turns on? I have the +12V constant and +12V ignition and ground....shouldn't it turn on just from these plugged in alone?
I switched them around and it still isn't turning on...

Any ideas?
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Last edited by ps2cho; 05-04-2009 at 11:01 PM.
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  #13  
Old 05-04-2009, 11:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ps2cho View Post
I got the wiring diagram from the 12volt site...

I am left with two cables that I am not sure go to where??



I tried just powering it on and nothing turns on? I have the +12V constant and +12V ignition and ground....shouldn't it turn on just from these plugged in alone?
I switched them around and it still isn't turning on...

Any ideas?
maybe you blew a fuse?
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  #14  
Old 05-05-2009, 01:18 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by husk View Post
maybe you blew a fuse?
Just checked...looks fine.

EDIT: I bridged the ignition + constant and the cd turned on...woo!

So I am not getting any power to the ignition. I checked it /w DMM too. No voltage. I swapped fuse in the fusebox too.

Any ideas?
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Last edited by ps2cho; 05-05-2009 at 01:59 AM.
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  #15  
Old 05-06-2009, 07:40 PM
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EDIT:

Okay got it to work by using the cigarette lighter as the +12V ignition wire.

I am having trouble figuring out which wires are for the speakers. I spent the last hour searching all over this section of the forum, and I can't find anything that specifies which wires are for which speakers. All I find it "bypass the fader by running new wires" but nothing more in detail.

Thanks

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Last edited by ps2cho; 05-06-2009 at 10:31 PM.
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