What aftermarket radio won't look stupid in my 124?

[citationtech]

My '87 came with come crappy 90's pioneer CD player and the faceplate was messed up, so I tore it out and stuffed broken Becker in the empty hole. The old 603 is music to my ears, but my wife refuses to ride in it without tunes. What aftermarket radio can I install that won't look totally out of place? I can't stand tiny buttons and tacky displays. Show me pictures of if you have them!

[shertex]

Get one where you can change the display color to match the instrument cluster display. FWIW I got a http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IG8E02W/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[mach4]

Everyone's taste is different. Get one you like and don't let the bozos get you down.

[gatorblue92]

I have similar Kenwood Bluetooth stereos in my W124's both of which have the ability to change the display color and stream music from my iPhone. I think they are the KDC X597 and KDC X598.

[w123fanman]

Always thought this would look good in the older cars, it's not a flashy design but it is very costly: Pioneer Stage 4 DEX-P99RS CD receiver/preamp at Crutchfield.com

[vstech]

Why not an original Becker?

[mbzman]

Originally Posted by vstech

Why not an original Becker?

I absolutely agree. I've contemplated changing the stock radio to get newer features but anything else just doesn't look right in my opinion so I've elected to keep the radio stock. You can retrofit a Becker with an auxiliary input for connecting an iPod or iPhone.

[Marshall Welch]

Check out Nakamichi. I looked at them 10 years ago, when I first got my 300D. I was told that the company was having problems, though. I didn't get one then; a new head unit was lower priority than much needed mechanical repairs.

The cd300 or cd400 would have looked very nice- no light show on the display, and the display lighting color could be changed. It looks like they have finally come out with some newer models. I don't know what their recent history is, though. Maybe the company has been sold, or reorganized. Some of the reviews say they are made in China, but so are lots of other brands.

[sixto]

The 94-95 124 stereo (Becker 1490? 1690?) or a similar stereo from a mid-90s MB is not a difficult retrofit in an earlier 124 if you don't need to play CDs. IIRC they all accept an MB CD changer from the era. It's possible to modify the stereo for auxiliary input. It doesn't take much volume to hit the limits of the '87 speakers, though. Otherwise the biggest job is running new speaker wires because of the goofy fader arrangement in early 124s. They have a permanent security code so make sure you get one with a code that works.




Sixto
MB-less

[Gregory]

Don't get one with a blue-light display. Get red or orange. Blue is too harsh on the eyes at night.

Remember the old WW2 submarine movies, the ones shot on color film? They turn on the red lights inside the sub, before they surface at night. The red light preserves your night vision.

[JamesDean]

I second the Kenwood option. Look at their upper level offerings. They are not that expensive and it afford you with Bluetooth and all the newer pieces.

I dislike the Beckers and the Nakamachi units. I am happy with my Kenwood units that I've put in my 201,124 and 126. They have adjustable color and best of all you can set it so that the display turns off after a bit.

http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-KDC-BT958HD-Receiver-Built--Bluetooth/dp/B00IA7LCFC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417712221&sr=1-1&keywords=kdc+958

Amazon.com : Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X998 CD Receiver with Built-in Bluetooth and HD Radio : Electronics