300CD Speaker Replacement

I hate to make this very basic query but I have done a search and still am not certain of facts. Am I correct that:

1) front speaker size is 4"
2) rear speaker size is 5"

One post indicated that you could get a 5 1/4" speaker in rear opening - true/false?

Most any brand speaker of correct size will fit?

Any tricks in removing grills and original speakers? I took screw out of front grill but the grill didn't seem to want to come off without forcing it.

Thanks and looking forward to a little bit better sound out of my new cd player.

Nic
'85 300CD @ 137,000 miles

[yal]

NIC, If this is a W124 then checkout the DIY section (see link at top of page)for how to remove speaker grills. Very limited choices for speakers in the rear, none without some modification unless you go with direct replacements from blaupunkt. Fronts are a little easier to modify. Do a search here for further details.

Yal,

I think my car's chassis is a 123 and different from the 124. I'm fairly uninformed on such matters but did look at DIY on this subject and will see if any of that info applies when I replace the speakers...but I don't think so.

Nic

[yal]

NIC,
go to this post...some limited info and maybe you can email some the people in the thread.

Speakers for 81 300SD

Amplifiers

good luck.


[Edited by yal on 01-22-2001 at 07:57 PM]

[Larry Delor]

Hello NIC
Your 123 uses 4" for sure up front. I looked at the hole in the back and really doubted that 5 1/4 would fit...I doubted that 5" would have fit, so I bought 4" for the rear too. For the most part you are correct in assuming that just about any brand would fit...in the rear anyway...up front, you will most likely have to cut off a small piece (of the metal speaker surround) off of the corner, so it will fit in its place. Also do not get anything too tall, it will push up on the factory grilles. (not a problem in the rear). I put 3-ways up front, and 2-ways in back, although you may want to opt for something with a bit more bass in the rear. Once you remove the originals, you will see a sorry excuse for a speaker, as this was obviously before MB discovered that there was money to be made in decent sound, not to mention demand for it.
Good Luck, and have fun!

PS: Are you replacing the factory radio too?

Larry,

Thanks for info. I'll buy four 4" speakers - kinda small but thats life.

I did buy a new radio/cd. It is a 45 max watt sony. I'm not a true audiophile, just want slightly better sound and a cd.

Nic

Try the Image Dynamics 4" coaxials. I really like them FWIW.

http://www.imagedynamicsusa.com

[Holson Adi]

Hi!

I just installed a pair of Pioneer 4" speakers up front. Very easy swap.

The rears, I opted for a pair of Pioneer 6.5" speakers. (I know Pioneers are generic speakers, but don't matter.. they sound a lot better than the stock speakers)
The Pioneers aren't very thick so they do fit. Just make sure you don't get those very thick 6.5" speakers...

took me a while to cut out the rear deck.
Other than that.. it was a pretty easy job.

Cheers,
-Holson-