Radio Options - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JordaanDMC-12 · #1 08-15-2009, 02:16 PM

Hey everyone, if you could ask anyone that knows me well they would tell you I'm all about keeping my cars stock.

But I'm so sick of the stock radio in the 220, and I hate FM transmitters with a passion which is my only option to play music in the car. It wouldn't be so bad if the radio stations here didn't suck as well. They play the same thing over and over again and claim to play "the newest and hottest hits" which I guess means the hottest hits of the early 2000's. Basically they play Natasha benningfield and nikelback 24/7 ugh.

Having said that, would it be that bad of a crime to pull out the stock radio and put in a normal radio with aux input, but when going to meets or showing the car off, to put the stock radio back in. It doesn't help having one speaker too lol

What about installing the radio in a hidden place? Anything? Normally the radio isn't such a big deal, but it helps me forget that I'm roasting in my car in 110oF heat.

okyoureabeast · #2 08-15-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JordaanDMC-12

Hey everyone, if you could ask anyone that knows me well they would tell you I'm all about keeping my cars stock.

But I'm so sick of the stock radio in the 220, and I hate FM transmitters with a passion which is my only option to play music in the car. It wouldn't be so bad if the radio stations here didn't suck as well. They play the same thing over and over again and claim to play "the newest and hottest hits" which I guess means the hottest hits of the early 2000's. Basically they play Natasha benningfield and nikelback 24/7 ugh.

Having said that, would it be that bad of a crime to pull out the stock radio and put in a normal radio with aux input, but when going to meets or showing the car off, to put the stock radio back in. It doesn't help having one speaker too lol

What about installing the radio in a hidden place? Anything? Normally the radio isn't such a big deal, but it helps me forget that I'm roasting in my car in 110oF heat.

Why be so insecure about whether your car is running its stock radio or not

Buy a head unit you like and keep it in there!

JordaanDMC-12 · #3 08-15-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okyoureabeast

Why be so insecure about whether your car is running its stock radio or not

Buy a head unit you like and keep it in there!

Well normally, I like the look of everything stock, cause a sony radio just doesn't fit in with the rest of the interior LOL You have a good point though, hmmmm.

But having to deal with the stock radio is getting old. Has anyone done something like this?

Jeremy5848 · #4 08-15-2009, 02:51 PM

I think he's trying to keep the stock appearance. Yes, you could remove the radio, install what you want, and switch back for "show." Stereo speakers could be hidden under the dash and placed in the back window such that you could remove them easily.

Another possibility (involving much less work) would be to leave the existing radio in place and simply carry a small boom box powered from the lighter socket. Then you could play your CDs and move the thing to the trunk when you're not using it.

This thread probably belongs in the "Car Audio and Multimedia" section.

Jeremy

Matt L · #5 08-15-2009, 02:53 PM

Do you have a tape player? If so, is it a model that Becker will modify for an auxiliary input jack?

swogee · #6 08-15-2009, 02:57 PM

I think Becker will add an AUX input to many of the stock Mercedes radios. I can't remember how much it costs but check on the Becker USA website at this link:

http://www.beckerautosound.com/mercedes_year_model.html

(Someone just posted about this, but here's the link anyway.)

Matt L · #7 08-15-2009, 02:58 PM

If I recall correctly, it is $100 plus shipping.

JordaanDMC-12 · #8 08-15-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

I think he's trying to keep the stock appearance. Yes, you could remove the radio, install what you want, and switch back for "show." Stereo speakers could be hidden under the dash and placed in the back window such that you could remove them easily.

Another possibility (involving much less work) would be to leave the existing radio in place and simply carry a small boom box powered from the lighter socket. Then you could play your CDs and move the thing to the trunk when you're not using it.

This thread probably belongs in the "Car Audio and Multimedia" section.

Jeremy

Hmmm I might go with switching the radio, sorry about posting it in the Diesel discussion

I'll post it in the "Car Audio and Multimedia" section next time.

JordaanDMC-12 · #9 08-15-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swogee

I think Becker will add an AUX input to many of the stock Mercedes radios. I can't remember how much it costs but check on the Becker USA website at this link:

http://www.beckerautosound.com/mercedes_year_model.html

(Someone just posted about this, but here's the link anyway.)

Wow, that's awesome! I'm going to the junkyard today, hopefully they'll have an old radio I can pull out.

daw_two · #10 08-15-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JordaanDMC-12

Wow, that's awesome! I'm going to the junkyard today, hopefully they'll have an old radio I can pull out.

Try to get the CODE for the Becker --- look in the glove box. Sometimes the code is written on the radio. I don't remember what year the anti-theft Beckers started with the code thingy, but if you find a working radio, Becker will be happy to "uncode" it for you.

Jeremy5848 · #11 08-15-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daw_two

Try to get the CODE for the Becker --- look in the glove box. Sometimes the code is written on the radio. I don't remember what year the anti-theft Beckers started with the code thingy, but if you find a working radio, Becker will be happy to "uncode" it for you.

Becker might be able to provide the code if you copied the VIN off the car when you get the radio. Tell Becker the car is in a junkyard, maybe they will accept that; the option is that they assume all such radios are stolen.

I'm going to talk to a local car radio repair guy about adding to my non-Becker radio/CD player an input for my MP3 player. That might be a lot less expensive than trying to retrofit a later Mercedes CD changer.

daw_two · #12 08-15-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Becker might be able to provide the code if you copied the VIN off the car when you get the radio. Tell Becker the car is in a junkyard, maybe they will accept that; the option is that they assume all such radios are stolen.

I'm going to talk to a local car radio repair guy about adding to my non-Becker radio/CD player an input for my MP3 player. That might be a lot less expensive than trying to retrofit a later Mercedes CD changer.

The one I pulled out of the junkyard....I did just that; recorded the VIN number of the car and put it on the form.

There ought to be a DIY on how to retrofit. Keep me in mind if you find one.

Jeremy5848 · #13 08-15-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daw_two

Try to get the CODE for the Becker --- look in the glove box. Sometimes the code is written on the radio. I don't remember what year the anti-theft Beckers started with the code thingy, but if you find a working radio, Becker will be happy to "uncode" it for you.

My '85 Becker does not have a code, my '87 did not come with the original radio, and my '96 does have a code. So, somewhere in between '85 and '96.

sixto · #14 08-16-2009, 12:14 AM

Something like this is an option if your OE radio works -

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_142FMMOD02/Scosche-FM-MOD02.html?tp=121

It's much better than broadcast type adapters since it cuts the antenna from the radio and feeds the aux signal through the radio's antenna jack. The signal isn't battling for attention with strong stations.

Sixto
87 300D

compu_85 · #15 08-16-2009, 02:42 AM

My 91 has a radio code, I think they had them in 1990 as well. But you couldn't use my 91s radio anyway, 90 was the last year for a "standalone" head unit in the W126.

-J