Requesting Opinion: New or Original Radio for '89 560SL

[harveyr]

I have an '89 560sl in very good condition. The original Becker Grand Prix 780 radio has failed. I can either get the radio repaired, buy a new Becker, or buy a new "other" brand (e.g. sony, jvc, etc.) radio.

I would like your opinion on which of these alternatives would (might) be the best choice in the eyes of the person to whom I will sell the car to in the future.

Thanks!!!

[tecqboy]

Have the Becker repaired, then pack it safely in a box and put it in the trunk. Install a modern receiver with a wiring adaptor kit which plugs into the original wiring. They sell them at Crutchfield among others. If you sell the car and the buyer wants the original radio, it's easy to swap it out.

[rowdie]

How important is the radio to you?
I don't use it that often so I chose to have the one in my '84 rebuilt by Becker. I had the aux. input wired in but that was more of a why not while you are there thing.

If you do choose to replace it do as tecqboy advised. Even if you do not have it repaired box it up and keep it with the car. Also great advice to buy the adapter for the stock wiring harness when installing after market radio. I hate it when I find cut and paste botched wiring connections.

[meltedpanda]

I am with Rowdie on this one , if you are one that needs the radio , even with the rebuild and aux input , they are not current technology. I did that in my 107 and its good enough for me. If however you need the sound, keep the radio with the car, dont trash the mounting area and while your at it find suitible speaker replacements. The best tuner sounds like crap if the speakers are old and tired

[coleyjf]

Originally Posted by tecqboy

Have the Becker repaired, then pack it safely in a box and put it in the trunk. Install a modern receiver with a wiring adaptor kit which plugs into the original wiring. They sell them at Crutchfield among others. If you sell the car and the buyer wants the original radio, it's easy to swap it out.

I'm with tecqboy on this one

My original Becker (wasn't broken just I wanted to use hands free and CD's) is sitting in a box ready for any eventuality and I've a nice 4 x 60w system with Bluetooth hands-free, CD, MP3, and SD card fitted via a wiring loom converter. (the Becker is safely in the garage, next to my original steering wheel)

The rear 100w speakers were already fitted in the rear side panels ( I think someone else had done a similar job in the past) and I've changed the front speakers as one had blown its paper "cone" anyway.

If I get a call for a film shoot ( I'm on several websites for these) and they want "original equipment", or when I eventually sell her, both can be fitted in half an hour but in the mean time I have the benefit of a great music set-up, legal use of my mobile (a growing issue in the UK and a £60 fine for not using hands-free) plus I can play any media I want loudly with the hood down (plus a smaller steering wheel I so can actually get in !)

"smokin' "

Cheers

Jim

[nobby]

I love driving music and I love to drive 95% top downing.

If you enjoy music in the car then, pull out the Becker and get something decent.

I wouldn't even fix the Becker at this point. Put it in a box for the "next" guy.

Who knows....there might NEVER be a next guy.

Here's a fairly informative audio thread that might give you some ideas if you are serious about it.

107 AUDIO THREAD - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

[Fulcrum525]

A similar topic to this came up in the Diesel Discussion just the other day.....


Most beautiful Car Radio

[P.C.]

I would install a new radio just to have the ability to run an iPod through it.

[harveyr]

Thanks to all who replied. I was able to find a good condition "original" Becker 780 on ebay that was less expensive than the quote to repair my original, and less expensive than a new one. No new features, but it works, and retains the original dash look and feel.

[Deltacom]

Originally Posted by harveyr

I have an '89 560sl in very good condition. The original Becker Grand Prix 780 radio has failed. I can either get the radio repaired, buy a new Becker, or buy a new "other" brand (e.g. sony, jvc, etc.) radio.

I would like your opinion on which of these alternatives would (might) be the best choice in the eyes of the person to whom I will sell the car to in the future.

Thanks!!!

My 107 came originally with a Blaupunkt Toronto SQR48 radio/tape. Subsequently replaced with a Blaupunkt San Remo CD – Installed an amplifier and new speakers. I certainly won’t be looking back!!.

[KCM]

Coincidentally I am currently dealing with a similar problem. The previous owner installed a new Pioneer CD receiver (actually Best Buy did) but I did get the old Becker cassette receiver. Unfortunately the morons at Best Buy cut the wires instead of using an adapter harness, but at least I did get the wire ends in case I want to splice the wires and reinstall the original radio. Unlike you, I think by Becker is okay, and the owner simply wanted a CD player.

My problem is that I want to connect an MP3 player to the system, which is not possible with my Pioneer as it has no 3.5mm jack or USB port. If you want to use an MP3 player, this is something you need to consider. In a way a wish the previous owner had not installed a new receiver, as the new Pioneer definitely looks and feels cheaper then the factory Becker, and he didn't even buy one with a detachable face. Plus with the Becker cassette receiver, I could have used my Sony cassette adapter to use my MP3 player with the factory stereo, though an old fashioned way to do it has worked well in my other cars with cassette receivers and the sound is actually very good. What I am in the process of doing since the Pioneer is basically new is to install a FM modulator adapter between the antenna and radio to provide me with a 3.5mm jack for my MP3 player. I've heard these hard wired units actually work well, guess I'll find out.

So I guess it depends on what you are looking to get out of your stereo system and how much you want to spend. If music isn't your entire life, then the stock Becker is probably just fine, and use either a cassette adapter (I recommend Sony) or install a FM modulator if you want to use an MP3 player. If you need a CD player, then a new Becker or aftermarket is the option. If music is everything to you, then a high quality aftermarket unit is likely more to your liking. Either way, I'm sure new speakers would definitely increase sound quality over the 24 year old factory ones. Plus you can add rear speakers as my previous owner did to make things even better (I recommend enclosures rather than cutting a hole in the package shelf). Either way, I would not throw away the original Becker or cut up the factory wiring as the previous posters have stated. If you don't plan on using the Becker, then spending the money to fix it is really up to you.

As far as which is worth more to the future buyer, who knows. For me I would like to see the factory radio as I am a purist. Another buyer may want the latest and greatest. Remember that by the time you sell it, the newest and greatest aftermarket radio you install now will likely be old news when you sell the car. The factory original Becker is ageless.

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by KCM

What I am in the process of doing since the Pioneer is basically new is to install a FM modulator adapter between the antenna and radio to provide me with a 3.5mm jack for my MP3 player. I've heard these hard wired units actually work well, guess I'll find out.

I've got a few of these installed in my cars for Suirius satellite radio.
They all work quite well.

Only glitch is that the ones I've bought have a standard antenna cable in/out and the later MB radios use a different style cable end, required two adapters.

Nice, clean installation, just a small 1/8 inch pigtail sticking out of the console, which can be tucked away when not in use.

Jim