I have an 86 300E with the stock Becker Grand Prix radio. The radio does not get good reception where I live, and the sound ping-pongs from L to R speaker all the time.

I want to upgrade the radio, but I want to keep the "older" and original look of the Grand Prix. (Besides, I find the button scheme on the GP better than all the new radios I've seen lately). Are there any such kits, where the face of the radio is the same original Grand Prix, but where the insides are closer to state-of-the-electronics?

I think I can get you a factory original semi-new Blau radio for that car for about $350.

I have one somewhere that was taken out of an 89 car when new and replaced with an aftermarket unit.

As another thought, some newer Blaupunkt units have the traditional style German look.

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-Steve

I think the best choice would be for you to send your Grand Prix unit back to Becker of North America and have them give it a complete "tune-up". As far as speakers, I'd pull the stock ones out and go for ones by MB Quart (good German brand. They should have the correct sizes to fit in the stock openings. Or, if you are a complete originality freak, call Becker and have them send you a new full line catalog, in there, you'll find everything from receivers to amps to speakers. Find their ad in The Star magazine, or I can e-mail it to you. Hope this helps!


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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'79 6.9
'79 6.9
'80 300SD
'81 240D
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8

Before you buy MB Quart speakers, look for and listen to Diamond Audio Motorsport speakers. They are also German and cost less than the MB Quarts. I also believe that they sound better and need less poser. Their highs are less bright (but still a bit "hot"), and they go deeper in the midbass than do the same size Quarts.

How do you tell if you have a Becker or other brand radio by the year? If so what do I have in my 92 190? Also is there a CD stacker that plugs in other than the high cost factory unit?
Thanks Tom

[This message has been edited by Katttfishh (edited 09-22-1999).]

I'm getting close to replacing the Grand Prix in my 380SEL as well, and have run into similar trouble finding a deck that doesn't have 40 colors of flashing and spinning LEDs that would look WAY out of place in my car's dash.

Best lead I've found so far is Blaupunkt. They have some models with the new-age flashy stuff, but also some that hark back to understated, simple, functional German design. Took me forever to find these, so I'll pass on the info here.

For low-end, check out the Miami (picture here: http://www.blaupunkt.com/receivers/receivers_98picpage_miami.html )

For high-end, check out the Sydney (picture here: http://www.blaupunkt.com/receivers/receivers_99picpage_sydney.html )

The Sydney has the ability to change LED color to match the rest of the car's lights. I'm pretty sure that's the way I'm going to go...

Problem I'm having is finding someone who deals the high-end Blau stuff in my area... may have to go thru Crutchfield.

Thanks to all. Great advice. I now have somewhere to go with this.