The only thing on the new 2000 E Class that is fiber optic is the audio feed from the head unit to the factory cd changer and factory phone. The head unit in the new 2000 E Class is a Alpine (nice radio). As for the difference with the bose premium and the standard is better speaker and low and deaper bass response.You can put in any radio that you want very easily. You can even plug the new Blaupunkt Toronto in dash cd right into the MB harness. Takes lss than 15 seconds and has the same ISO connections and antenna connections as the original MB radio. The only thing that you will lose is been able to control a factory cd changer and factory phone.

Jim LaPlant
Factory Trained Mercedes-Benz technician