cd player
 

I tried searching for this, but "cd" is just shy of the 3-letter minimum.

I want a CD player for my 350SD. I know that it had the option of a CD changer in the trunk, but I'm not sure if I could still get it... I tried browsing the parts catalog and couldn't find it.

Besides, I think I'd rather get an mp3 CD player so that I don't have to burn as many CDs. So any suggestions on something that works well, or is this one of those things that I just go to Best Buy and let them do the work?

A 91 W126 should take a Becker Silverstone 980 10 disc changer. When the Silverstone in my 91 300SE went flaky, I replaced it with a Sony 10 disc RF changer. The wires plugged in neatly to the tuner in the trunk and I let the controller wire run between the carpet and floor mats to the console bin where it spent its days. As easy as it was, I wouldn't trust Best Buy to install it if they didn't produce wiring diagrams for me to review to ensure they know what they're doing.

When it came time to improve the stereo in my 87 SDL, I skipped the changer and put an in-dash MP3 player. Mind you it's a lot easier to replace the in-dash unit of the SDL. The models with the tuner in the trunk (90-on) are more work because there's no antenna cable in the dash.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

What do you mean the tuner's in the trunk? Isn't the tuner the radio that's in the dash?

Hahahahaha... peel back the trunk liner on the passenger side and look for an box or eletronics near the tunk lid hinge. See it? That's the tuner. What's in the dash is a cassette player and controls. Amps? Between the rear seat and the rear firewall.

I don't understand the need for anti-theft features in a stereo system no one in their right mind would steal.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

So, if I wanted to get a new in-dash MP3 player, I'd have to pull wires from the trunk all the way to the dash?

You'd need to run speaker wires from the dash to behind the back seat and an antenna wire from the trunk to the dash.

Consider an iPod with RF transmitter.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

The problem with that is no access to the controls. Unless I could get an RF remote control...

I tried looking for that Becker 980, but apparently they don't make them anymore.

Sony has a 10 disc RF MP3 changer. JVC has a 12 disc RF MP3 changer. Not a difficult DIY. I didn't think it was worth removing a front seat to tuck the controller wire under the carpet.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Yeah, I just did a search and found the JVC and Sony. The JVC one has wired and wireless remotes. I wonder why they don't all have wireless remotes.

So, how do you run the remote wire from the trunk to the front seat? Or did you skip the remote altogether?

Wireless remote is a misnomer. You have to attach the wired display/controller to the dash so you can use the wireless remote.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Aw damn... I thought the display was optional, in case you couldn't tell what was playing by hearing it, and that the wireless remote was RF. Oh well.

So then how do you run that wired remote wire from the trunk to the front seat?

In my case I ran the wire through a hole in the rear firewall, down behind the seat back, forward under the seat cushion, forward above the carpet and under mat, finally up beside the driver seat. As mentioned, the controller spent it's life in the tray aft of the shift lever.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL