I recommend this replacement radio for xmas: Clarion CZ501 - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

79Mercy · #16 12-11-2011, 03:06 PM

I like this new blaupunkt radio for 129

Blaupunkt Atlanta 110 - Midwest Electronics

JHZR2 · #17 12-11-2011, 03:07 PM

yuck. Im a purist, couldnt stand the look of any aftermarket headunit in any car, let along a classic w123. Sorry.

I have Becker refurbish my stereo and add the ipod input. Perfect.

I do like that under seat sub though. That with (possibly) an amp and some good speakers (what is currently available that fits up front?) would be nice!

WNC123 · #18 12-11-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHZR2

yuck. Im a purist, couldnt stand the look of any aftermarket headunit in any car, let along a classic w123. Sorry.

i gotta agree on that one. i have an older Alpine something-or-other in my car now and it drives me crazy. i hate the way it looks, it does not display, sounds like garbage. its only redeeming quality is that it does play music while i am driving.
if you guys are ripping out your Beckers and want them to go to a good home, send them my way! i'd like to find the correct Becker for my car, in working order, and I would certainly take a 4 band Becker out of a Euro model....

colincoon · #19 12-12-2011, 01:51 AM

Mine doesn't look too bad...

JHZR2 · #20 12-12-2011, 02:22 AM

Sorry, but "sore thumb" comes to mind. Not trying to be a jerk, just not my taste in these cars.

SpecialDelivery · #21 12-12-2011, 08:52 AM

have you folks had any issues with swapping out the stock sound system? I hear once you start changing the stereo around you can run into all kinds of problems with the cars electrical systems. at this point I was torn between retrofitting something into the car or sending the stock unit to Becker in NJ for "updating"

tbomachines · #22 12-12-2011, 09:10 AM

Depends what you mean...the wiring is 30 years old and so are the speakers. The speakers themselves have an odd impedence rating for some reason so that can cause issues with new head units. The best option is to get a new head unit, run brand new wires to brand new speakers. Eliminate the fader switch too, that pretty much takes care of the variables. I found it better to replace my entire back deck too since it was so sun damaged, dusty, and possibly moldy. New one I custom made with 6x9" speaker holes, sounds wonderful and looks good too. Obviously each of these steps compromises "originality" for functionality so really that is your choice. I'd say the biggest cause of issues is the fader and speaker wiring getting old.

SpecialDelivery · #23 12-12-2011, 09:16 AM

@tbomachines - I tend to agree with you about running new wires. The stock ones dont look like they could handle much power and who knows if they're a good quality copper ... and I like the idea of using the fader switch as a volume control for a sub, AND putting 6x9's in the rear deck. I've swapped my existing rear deck for the blue one from the donor car, it's in pretty good shape. I'd like to figure out a way to use stock grilles so as not to advertize that I've got a custom stereo or expensive speakers sticking out of the deck. I've heard good things about Kenwoods before and Id love to be able to do handsfree calling inside the car. Anyway thats a project for down the road, I've got to get the vacuume system and trans shifting straight first, then do a bunch of front end work, finish colorbonding and putting together the interior..then I will move on to customizing the rest.

piccolovic · #24 12-12-2011, 10:21 AM

When I bought my '83 300D, the guy handling the sale had thrown a junkyard aftermarket radio in the dash, without hooking it up. He had also thrown some Infinity speakers in the dash (best speakers for the size, IMHO). Knowing I was driving the car from CA to FL, I went by a radio shop and bought a Sony XPlode with a connector in the faceplate, and Blauplunkt speakers for the rear deck. It works great!!! However, I had to bring it back the next day because, against my written instructions, they used the same setup wiring (too lazy to run new wires) and the fader switch was ready to melt!!!! The ran the new wires as specified, but I never have been able to get decent sound out of back deck speakers, no matter how I set the fader. So, I took some box speakers that I got from JC Whitney, then put a used Kenwood 2-channel amp under the back seat, and dropped the boxes on the floor of the back seat. Since I almost never have anyone sitting in the back, it's not an issue for me. I finally got the sound I needed for the long drives I have a tendency to take. The mechanic I have locally (who has a collection of classic cars). . . he was ecstatic with the Sony . . . it's simplicity. I will be looking for replacements soon for the infinity speakers in the dash, as the moisture and time is finally getting to them (but would recommend them to anyone).

I am liking the concept of pulling the back deck (which needs the carpet replaced, and putting in some Pioneer 5 x 9 speakers. Does the sound project to the front well enough?? All three of my older diesels never could provide good sound from the back due to the setup.

Looking for others' suggestions.

Also, in my Peterbilt, I blew up three Dial radios and finally got a JVC with my frequent fueler points. That is another radio I am very satisfied with!!!

JHZR2 · #25 12-12-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpecialDelivery

have you folks had any issues with swapping out the stock sound system? I hear once you start changing the stereo around you can run into all kinds of problems with the cars electrical systems. at this point I was torn between retrofitting something into the car or sending the stock unit to Becker in NJ for "updating"

Ive sent a deck to becker to update. I like that path because it maintains the original look of the car.

To be honest, bass issues aside, I cant complain too much about the sound in the car, especially for what it is. Ive never been THAT dissatisfied with w123 sound. Ive driven lots of much newer cars that had glaring issues with the sound stage that I cant say Ive had to deal with in 123 cars.

The biggest issues are sustained draw of power. While the wiring, fuses, etc. MAY handle it, for a HU, the alternator, at 55A is a pretty big bottleneck. These alternators show pretty good drop in voltage with the blower, stock radio and headlights on.

So anyone trying to run 1000W amps and move lots of air (bass) at any appreciable volume needs to upgrade at least some of the electrical system.

JHZR2 · #26 12-12-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piccolovic

However, I had to bring it back the next day because, against my written instructions, they used the same setup wiring (too lazy to run new wires) and the fader switch was ready to melt!!!! The ran the new wires as specified, but I never have been able to get decent sound out of back deck speakers, no matter how I set the fader.

Wait, I hope you didnt rewire THROUGH the stock fader... That would give no benefit.

Ive found that in OE setup, the rear speakers put out fine sound and while bass is always lacking, they push their part.

Something else seems to me to be wrong...

bipolardave · #27 12-12-2011, 12:26 PM

Thanks for the tips, folks.

I've been debating the matter of upgrading the stereo for a few weeks now.

Part of me wants to retain the stock radio, but the more practical side wants to upgrade the entire system (amp, flat sub beneath the seat, plus mount 4 speakers around the cabin).

Having upgraded several stereos to get iPod functionality in the past, I've came to realize that the biggest issue with aftermarket decks is the lack of a viewing screen to better help scroll through the music. Short of a double DIN touchscreen unit, there doesn't appear any way to get more than 2 lines of text to display on the screen at any time. Given that the sheer volume of songs on my iPod, navigating to the right one is a matter of patience and unsafe driving.

Does anyone have a bead on a single DIN unit that displays 4 or more lines of text? I'm not interested in using the AUX jack, so that's not an option.

Bob338 · #28 12-12-2011, 12:34 PM

I replaced the 4" dash speakers with the same size Pioneer's. The rear deck also had 4" speakers and I replaced them with 6" Pioneers. Didn't rewire and went through the fader. The sound noticeably improved from stock but whether it was the new Alpine head unit or the speakers I can't say. I know I'm not as demanding as a dyed in the wool audiophile but I do appreciate good sound, and I think I have it using the stock wiring.

piccolovic · #29 12-12-2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHZR2

Wait, I hope you didnt rewire THROUGH the stock fader... That would give no benefit.

Ive found that in OE setup, the rear speakers put out fine sound and while bass is always lacking, they push their part.

Something else seems to me to be wrong...

Initially, they did wire through the stock fader. I had instructed them to bypass the fader, as the headunit had a fader control built in, and the fader switch was not rated for the amperage that the new radios put out . . . which would result in melting the fader switch, possibly starting a fire. But . . .what do I know . . . am just a dumb truck driver, and a woman to boot. So the tech who installed the radio that I had selected, ignored the written instructions, used the existing wiring setup (through the fader switch) and almost melted the switch/caused a fire. The next day, I drove across LA, back to the same shop, with the invoice that had my directions, and the fight started!!! They wanted to charge me for running the wires the way I had directed (it was a one-wire system, and needed to be replaced with heavier gauge speaker wire to the back, bypassing the fader switch). I refused to pay for that, de novo. I finally agreed to pay the difference in price for the wiring job, if they had done it at the same time as the radio installation (I think about $15 more). They had to tear up everything all over again, remove the seats and make under the carpet available, pull the headunit out, disconnect the back speaker wires, etc., etc.) The same tech was assigned the job, and was clearly unhappy, but was surprised to feel that the fader switch was sooooo hot and ready to melt, that he acquiesced and did the job, despite the little compensation he would get. But it seems, no matter what setup, or which car (190D, 240D, or the 300D), the sound is absorbed by the back windshield, and doesn't travel well to the front, which is why I later added the amp and box speakers behind me. It was the same amp and box speakers I had set up in the 190D when I encountered the same problem.

JHZR2 · #30 12-12-2011, 03:49 PM

Lol, what a situation.

I still feel that perhaps you have an issue, because while the audio systems will always be designed to set the sound stage in front of you, there should be sound pressure from behind, notable by turning fade to rear.

Under normal conditions you should hear it coming from the front, but if you're getting no appreciable sound from the rear, even when faded, there is another problem.