I've decided to purchase an Infinity Baslink to add to the factory system in my '97 C230. From my research, I've gathered that it's better to use a 12V turn on lead, rather than to let it automatically turn on by sensing a signal from the high-level speaker inputs (which I will be using). My question is if this is as simple as I think. I have a switch wired into the turn-on lead to my antenna to keep it down; if I simply wired the turn-on lead to the sub to the side of this coming from the HU, would it work?
I've read of using a turn-on lead from a factory amp, but I have no idea where these are located in my C230. Is it possible that that would be simpler?
Thanks.

Anyone have any advice?

Hi:
The dealership parts lay out drawing for my 98 C230 (not a Bose system) shows an amp mounted low on the drivers side in the trunk behind the trunk lining, or beside the rear seat in front of the wheel well. I haven't confirmed that one is there, but here are the diagrams the dealer gave me (my 87 300E came with a book of diagrams for every system on the car, now we have to beg the dealer!)

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

Thanks JCE, I didn't even know you could get that kinda stuff from the dealership.
To be more clear, I'd like to confirm that the turn-on lead to the antenna is 12V and would work for this application. This question is almost not even worth asking, but I'd just like to confirm that using the antenna wire won't cause any problems.

When I looked at the basslink for my 87, I was told I could use the antenna turn on lead to also turn on the basslink. But the C230 doesn't use a regular antenna on mine - I haven't learned if it is in the window, behind the bumper, or ???? So I don't know if the lead is even back by the rear of the car to access.

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

The C230 uses a regular telescoping antenna on the left rear fender. I've already tapped into the turn-on lead (see above), I'm just making sure that this would be a good place to wire the lead for the basslink to. From what you've said about your '87, I guess it is.

Interesting - I don't have an antenna visible on my car, so I assume it must be one of the 'hidden wire' types in a window or bumper. maybe 98 was a transition year - I understand the radio switched to fiberoptic half way through the year.

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

Yes, the antenna turn on lead will work, but the sub will only turn on when the antenna is turned on.