Becker Europa - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

meltedpanda · #1 10-31-2005, 08:30 PM

Does not sound the greatest but I am going to keep this radio in my 71 220,to keep her original. It works but I would like to refurb it, clean contacts ect. Is this a DIY job or should I send to pro's. (recomendation?)
I have it out of the dash, and have no info or manual. only the name and serial number.

PagodaLover · #2 10-31-2005, 09:38 PM

Glad to hear you are keeping the car as original as possible. I have chosen this path myself.

Don't know which variety of Europa you have, there were several. Being a 71 year model I would imagine it is a chrome one maybe an MU or maybe Europa II with casette. In any case the real contact for restore would be:

Becker of North America
http://www.beckerautosound.com/
Becker of North America, 16 Park Way, Upper Saddle River, N.J, 07458 (201) 327-3434 (888) 423-3537 info@harmanbecker.us

Call and ask for Tom or Ed. I have spoken with Tom on several occasions. They can restore just about anything and do whatever conversion. Even give you adaptors for ipod or satellite radio. Run your problems by them, anyplace else, including here, is wasting your time.

meltedpanda · #3 11-01-2005, 03:09 PM

thanks,
yes it is a silver faced, pretty plain jane Europa, no cassette, looks cool. The back side of the dial has the blue MB tex to match the seats!
Thanks for the link

meltedpanda · #4 11-01-2005, 06:16 PM

Looked tonight and it is a MU version. I am realizing that it must be missing the trim piece that covers the edges when in the dash. Wonder where I can find that!!

PagodaLover · #5 11-01-2005, 08:12 PM

Just call Becker, they can provide everything and restore everything, if you want to. Knobs, trim, etc. Ask to talk with Tom in vintage radios.

Just call Tom.

You can find tons of chrome Beckers on eBay. Many are dirt cheap and untested. I bought one for a very rare chrome part that was used on for one particular model. eBay can be cheaper.

PagodaLover · #6 11-01-2005, 10:30 PM

What part are you looking for exactly. Because I have a cosmetically almost perfect Becker Europa MU that I can't use. The chrome face part I can't use. See pic.

meltedpanda · #7 11-02-2005, 09:01 AM

Thats it!, PM me if you want to part with it, I can use the face plate and the chrome for sure, perhaps even some other items
Thanks so much, I thought I would be looking for a while for this item

kpb · #8 11-02-2005, 09:27 PM

if pagodalover doesn't want to part with it, I think I have the same thing lying about in dry storage.

savedandsound · #9 03-28-2006, 08:47 AM

Hi,
Saw Your Post And Am Interested In A Suni Electric Scooter And Any Info You Might Provide. Please Post Asap... Thanks So Much!

meltedpanda · #10 03-28-2006, 09:20 AM

ahh, Suni
Its great. We use it for getting around horse shows. I have the one that looks like a a little motorcycle.
It runs very well and forever on a charge. Get the highest wattage you can
The limitations are ( on mine)
175 pound limit. I think it would carry more but performance suffers
ground must be firm, pavement or stone is great. Long grass is not, however I have taken it on hard firm ground cover without issue.
Lastly, its not built to take extreem abuse, the materials are cheap and I seem to be always tightening or retrofitting bolts here and there. This does not bother me, being a vintage MB guy

, I am use to this
For the price and for the way I use it its thumbs up for me

blueeagle289 · #11 03-28-2006, 09:31 AM

If you are near a large city in KY, like Louisville, there is probably a certified Becker repair location there which can refurb the radio ..... I have an original in my 230S, which is still in VG condition ...... replaced the Becker in my 420SEL because repair would have been prohibitive for what I would get; went to a good CD unit with everything which fit the slot (Kenwood).

blueeagle289 · #12 03-28-2006, 09:48 AM

Forgot to mention it, but the Heckflosse site is devoted to fintails, not sure if your car is in that group W111 etc etc?? They have lots of old radios and used parts there as well .... BC

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/heckflosse/

kitchenrat · #13 03-30-2006, 01:50 PM

take the becker out of the dash and remove the case. wash the chassis with aerosol contact cleaner. you will be amazed at the pile of crud that will come out. lubricate the mechanical bits and pieces with very little grease--a touch of vaseline on a q-tip. inspect the circuit board for cracks. most often the radio will play am only or not at all if its a cracked circuit board. if you have any soldering skills you can fix it, if not take it to a radio shop.

Strife · #14 03-30-2006, 03:37 PM

These radios are built mechanically very well, the slightest lubrication restored one I eBay'ed to perfection, but I did have to repair a cracked PCB. Fiberglass PCB's were not used until much later and these phenolic boards apparently dry out and can't take vibration - and the way that they were mounted didn't help.

Tony H · #15 04-04-2006, 04:35 PM

I purchased a rebuilt Europa from Harman/Becker for my 3.5 coupe. It didn't work and the chrome frame had obviously been pried on even though Tom said it was new. I sent it back and it's been weeks and I haven't got the radio back. They are also very slow about answering emails. Hope you have a better expierience with them.
Tony