Vintage look radio - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

thorsen · #1 03-14-2011, 09:43 PM

I was looking for something a little more retro looking than the modern head unit I had installed in my car. Someone on the W116.org site had a Tokai LAR-216 unit that I liked, but I could not find anyone who would ship it to the US.

I found the Becker Retro Europa to be very similar to the Tokai, but then I discovered that the "USA4-DIN" radio is the same as both of them and widely available.

The radio has a cd/mp3 player, aux in, USB in, and plays SD cards. I am pleased with the unit overall. It doesn't look 100% period correct but it's much better than the modern unit I had in there and sounds just as good.

It's not for everybody but I am pleased as can be.

meltedpanda · #2 03-15-2011, 09:28 PM

not bad, looks pretty good, I too got rid of the aftermarket but went with a Becker 612 with Ipod retrofit

newtodiesel · #3 03-15-2011, 10:50 PM

I like it! I bet its nice to have everything work on it!
I had an aftermarket in mine, it would not shut off, even taking the face off of it. I gave it away in exchange for the audio place removing it.
I now have a becker 780. It looks much better. Already had aftermarket speakers so its not that bad, now if I could just get that cassette to work again. Maybe I'll just get the ipod plug for it.

Its nice when you have good tunes and a pretty sunny day, windows down, sunroof open...

ScooterABC · #4 03-17-2011, 04:49 PM

I have a becker 780 and an mp3 input plug. It sounds just fine and doesn't look out of place.

JMela · #5 03-17-2011, 07:44 PM

Becker put out a gorgeous revamped "Mexico" unit in Europe, no idea if it ever made its way stateside.

meltedpanda · #6 03-17-2011, 09:05 PM

ohlala , I like that

newtodiesel · #7 03-17-2011, 11:23 PM

+2
Nice

mak · #8 03-17-2011, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMela

Becker put out a gorgeous revamped "Mexico" unit in Europe, no idea if it ever made its way stateside.

Very nice period look and expensive unit .If i recall correctly it was close to 1000
regards

suginami · #9 03-18-2011, 05:21 PM

My 280SE 4.5 has a circa 1999 Blaupunkt in it.

I'd like to put something a little more period correct, or at least period-looking.

Do you guys know what radio model came with the car?

I'd like to get one of these retro looking radios, and ideally one that will connect with an ipod.

124Coupe · #10 03-18-2011, 08:21 PM

If your car came with 4 speakers and a fader switch on the dash, then it was a Becker Europa II stereo. To upgrade my original, I bought an iPod jack from Becker which plugs into the rear of the radio and runs to my center console.

Attached are photos of my set-up, which works great!

suginami · #11 03-18-2011, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 124Coupe

If your car came with 4 speakers and a fader switch on the dash, then it was a Becker Europa II stereo. To upgrade my original, I bought an iPod jack from Becker which plugs into the rear of the radio and runs to my center console.

Attached are photos of my set-up, which works great!

I don't know how many speakers the car came with.

It has two speakers in the rear hat shelf and two in the front doors.

I don't believe there is a fader switch on the dash.

What switch on the dash in your picture is the fader?

124Coupe · #12 03-18-2011, 10:14 PM

Paul, The factory front speakers would be in the front footwells and the dash mounted fader is to the right of the rear defroster knob. Attached are photos of both.

suginami · #13 03-18-2011, 10:42 PM

I do not have the dash mounted fader.

I guess my car did not have the speakers in the kick panels, and that the speakers in the front doors were added later.

What is the difference between a Europa and Europa II?

Is the Europa II an upgraded version of the Europa, or did the Europa II replace the Europa starting from a specific year?

124Coupe · #14 03-18-2011, 10:50 PM

Our cars were also fitted with mono Becker radios from the factory. I would suggest contacting Becker to see what they can offer you with your existing set-up. More information can be found at:

http://www.beckerautosound.com/

newtodiesel · #15 03-18-2011, 11:00 PM

If I am correct, the europa is mono and the europaII is stereo.
So the europaII would be an upgraded version. Not sure what year it started. You can go to the Becker website and all the info is there

http://www.beckerautosound.com/Service.html

If you call becker north america directly they can answer all
of your questions, they are rather helpful and very nice.
They can also sell you the adapter for the mp3. It just plugs into the back of the radio or they can mount it into the face of the radio