Greetings MB-lovers,

Well after about two months of ownership I'm very pleased with my '91 190e
2.6. The only thing I won't be able to stand much longer is the stock
radio/tape deck. I hate tapes and have about 500 CDs, so it's time for a
change. Plus the current unit is failing intermittently on the right
channel. Questions:

1) I would normally do this job myself, but I'm very pressed for time right now trying to finish my doctoral dissertation. I need to make every minute count. Is there anything unusual about a CD install in this car that would make it ill-advised to bring it to a regular car audio place for the
install?

2) I heard you need a "special tool" to get the face plate off. Is there
any way around this problem?

3) What radio/CD player would you recommend for this car? I just want a decent radio/standard single disc player that is not real expensive. I'm going to continue to use the OEM speakers.

Thanks,
Rick

Hello,

There are no problems with installing a new radio into your vehicle as long as it is not using the two piece model 1432 radio. I do not believe that it is, but if your manual says the radio is CD changer compatible, then it is the two piece radio. One is the head unit that you see, and the other is in the trunk. I you do have this type of radio, we have a kit that converts the vehicle to a one piece radio mounted in the dash.

I believe that you already have the one piece radio, so I would recomend the Blaupunkt Toronto as a good replacement. We also carry an adapter that converts from the new ISO plugs that the new Blaupunkt or Becker radios use, to the older Mercedes wiring.

Sincerely,



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Scott Brotherton
Continental Imports
1219 S. Main St.
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 377-6604

Hello again,

I am sorry, I forgot to address one of you questions. Please look at the message "190E 2.3-16 Stereo" for the method to remove the radio. Once it is removed, there is a screw on the side of the radio that will release the faceplate.

Sincerely,



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Scott Brotherton
Continental Imports
1219 S. Main St.
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 377-6604

I was in the same place you are now -- I just wanted to replace the stock Becker Grand Prix with a decent stereo/CD player (I've got a 1986 2.3-16V). I ended up buying a Blaupunkt Nevada unit (stereo w/ single CD player) from Crutchfield (www.crutchfield.com). Included were the factory interface harnesses and instructions. The unit ran about $240.00.

Hope this helps.

Brian