Hi all,

Quick question, I have the am/fm cassette player in my car "original radio". I am not sure if I can install a CD player and run it with my factory radio.

Where would the CD player go? In dash, in trunk? I am interested in installing a factory CD player and I am not sure it I would have to replace my current radio or if it's and addition to.

Thanks,
Joel

When u say cd player r u referring to a cd changer to go with your factory radion?

If that is the case yes you can buy a changer with RF modulation you would have to install it in the trunk , most of them come with a wired remote.

I was thinking of the same thing to but i ended up changing the whole system with a cassette player and a 6 disc cd changer the changer was so small i was able to easy install it in the glove box compartment , I prefer it that way because I would have to have to pull over to change my cd,s

I have a '91 300E which should have the same Becker radio as your car. There was a 10-CD changer available for these cars that was a dealer installed option. The price was around $1,100 and the changer had a bad reputation. The unit is made by Sony for Becker and is called the Silverstone 980.

After owning my car for a while I decided that I wanted one of these changers but they were no longer available and Becker wouldn't sell what they had left.

Then last January I heard that Becker was selling these as reconditioned units. They came with new cables, a new cartridge but w/o the bracket to mount the unit in the trunk.

I bought one of these units ($370) from Becker and then bought a mounting bracket from a guy in California. The bracket was $85 plus shipping and a bit overpriced but the only other option I had was to make one (quite easy if you have one as a template).

The CD changer goes in the trunk. It mounts vertically in the curb side wheel well near the tuner and amplifier for the radio. Installation is a snap. You just remove the liner on the curb side of the trunk, plug the cables into the tuner, mount the bracket with three machine screws, plug the cables into the changer and then mount the changer in the mount.

Disconnect power from the battery before installing the unit.

Call Ed Ebel at Becker at 1-888-423-3537, X207 about the changer.

Call Walter Odemer at 1-818-846-2819 about the bracket.

My unit sounds great and has worked flawlessly. I'm convinced that any problems with the original changer were fixed before the reconditioned units were sold.

Just a follow-up on my post. The owner's manual for the car describes how to operate the changer.

The bracket mounts on the lip of the base of the trunk and hangs down into the well (curbside). You have to drill three holes in the lip for the mounting screws.

I put a wadded up sock under the bottom of the changer to give it a bit more support than you get with the bracket.

If these units are still available, it will be the best investment you can make. It transforms the sound system.

The cartridges are standard 10-CD Sony that are widely available.

Since I heard a rumor that the original problem of jamming could be avoided by not putting all 10 CD's in a cartridge, I've been putting in 6. I doubt it makes any difference but I'm sometimes paranoid

Hey, could you people please be a little more helpfull?? You mean I have to dial the phone myself??

As usuall the help provided has completely exceeded expectations. I'll follow-up with the contacts provided.

I am glad to see I am not the only one who has thought of this, almost didn't post thinking it was a dumb question.

Thanks again!!!!

Joel

You need to check out www.autotoys.com. They sell aftermarket stuff (Alpine, Sony, etc.) and the cables to plug in to the factory wiring. We did this on our C-class and it works right off the factory radio.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

Thanks for the link,

I called the beker guy and he quoted me $500 for changer, cartridge, and wiring. Seemed a little steep.

Open to all options, thanks will check it out.

Your help is appreciated,
Joel

$500 is a big boost in price over the $370 I paid in January. Add the bracket and the cost would be over $600.

On the one hand, the Becker cost around $1,100 new and it's the best option available. On the other hand, paying $600 for a unit for a 10 year old car is hard to justify.

I'd personally have to think long and hard about the $600 but I never found any alternative that was acceptable to me.

You'd get some of it back when you sold your car and it's a VERY NICE system. We have ours playing continuously on Random.

Good luck.

Hi Bud:

Why do you need to disconnect the battery before installation if it is just a plug and play?

Even with the ignition switch off, you can change cartridges in the changer so there are always some hot wires in the cable. As soon as you hooked up the cables, the changer would start checking to see what's in the cartridge.

Actually, I forgot to disconnect the battery when I did mine and I was lucky I didn't blow a fuse or do some damage.

As with any electrical systems, it's best to turn off the power when working on them.

After installing this changer, I'd never buy another car w/o a CD changer, preferably in the trunk. Any changer I'd get would have to take a cartridge. I don't want to carry around a bunch of loose CD's.

My 300E came with the changer and cables sitting in the trunk. There is also a black box about twice the size of a pack of playing cards there. there seems to be several different combinations to hook up the cables and I want to be right the first time. Any thoughts?

I have a used 10 disk Becker, cable and bracket for sale -- $300.

To tell if your Becker Grand Prix radio will accept the Becker Silverstone CD changer, check the buttons on the radio...if there is a "MODE" button, the radio will control the Silverstone.

I bought the Silverstone from Becker NA last December for $370 and made my own bracket. Sorry to hear the the price went up. that would be a tough decision.

__________________
Steve

1992 300CE Sportline Sophie
1990 300E Emma - in the family
1979 240D Josephine - sold, but not forgotten
2004 Pacifica AWD

http://web.mac.com/dakota/Mercedes/Home.html

i agree that $500 is expensive for a refurb unit. you can get a more current alpine unit and the correct adapter kit for the same amount...

__________________
joE
1993 300e-2.8 - gone now <sigh>
"Do not adjust your mind, it's reality that's malfunctioning"
http://banners.wunderground.com/bann...L/Key_West.gif

I know sooner or later I'll need to go the CD route so I can play the same music in car, house, portable, etc.

As mentioned previously the $600 is too steep for me.

As mentioned above used might be a good option. Not sure if this would be a find in bone yard but you never know.

Joel