Anyone who's posted here seen/heard of successes with either Monster's or the HON iPod interface that links up with the stock MB head unit w/CD changer controls? Our new-to-us '95 E320 wagon didn't come with the CD changer, but has the CD changer controller head unit.

With either option, where have people been stashing their iPod since there's no glove box in the wagon (airbag)? Is it an easy install to run the cabling to the console lock-box somehow?

Thanks - Jonathan

easy enough to run a cable to the lock-box. Take out the lock box (two screws at the front) then pull up the wood console that has the window switches/gear selector. Run the cable from head unit down behind the ashtray then along inside the centre console next to the gear selector. Drill or cut a small hole big enough for the 3.5mm jack in the black plastic of the front of the lock box, and run the cable in. Put it all back together and it's totally hidden.

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1993 320TE M104
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past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
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"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

Thanks for the solid tip on the console box. It occurred to me though that perhaps I can avoid it all together hopefully.

I posed this same question to the Monser iCruze help folks via web submission and haven't heard back yet. If I hear from them before anyone here, I'll post the reply.

Here's the question: Is there a way to hook up the iCruze interface directly the existing CD controller wiring in the trunk? (with an additional interface cable/module perhaps? - I'll buy whatever if it's possible)

Ideally, the most non-invasive way to do this would be to hook the iCruze interface directly to the CD changer cable found in the rear cargo area. Is that cable present if there isn's a stock CD changer installed? I know it was on my VW, and I haven't had a chance to go hunting yet in the back of the wagon. That way I can try to get all of it installed and tucked behind the right-side cargo area storage panel (where the first aid kit is). We've got an older iPod with battery issues (gift - no receipt so we can't claim the iPod battery recall), and I'd like to just fill it with tunes and install it back there and forget about it (iCruze provides power).

This method also totally avoids any shenanigans pulling the head unit out of the dash, and makes any MB wagon owner's life very easy.

I'm considering replacing the toasted factory CD changer in my '92 with and iPod system (ex-wife took the iPod so I need to buy a new one anway any idea if certain ones are to be avoided?)

So far all the threads I've read address '94+ MBZ except there is a brief mention of a Star article about wiring in Aux (iPod) input into just about any Becker radio. I've not had the MBCA membership in years so I don't have the relevant issue. I wonder if I can back-order it (don't even know the issue... can anyone help there on that info?)

I'm pretty handy with audio installs since I used to do it for a living so getting agro with the wiring does not scare me. Just need to find some pointers / docs on what wires are safe to use.

I did notice that if I unpluged the multi-wire cables into the changer the head unit would not turn on. Seems to be some signal from the CD changer that it wants to see. So if I delete the CD changer and install the iPod will I run into issues that require some hoops to be hopped?

Of all the threads this one seemed the most current and mentioned a relevant body style (W124) ever other thread was mostly about W140's

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I've only seen the 94-98 MBs listed at both Monster and USA Spec to run the interface to CD Changer input. I'm sure you could do some kind of aux line in on the older Beckers, but you'd still have to control the iPod (selecting songs, tracklists, etc.) using the iPod instead of the had unit.

Hopefully the holidays will yield parts of this solution - I'll post next week whether or not that happens, and any related trials and tribulations trying to get things installed.

No thumpin amps or ear blastin speakers! Just a very nice looking JVC EXAD head unit. Had local shop do the install and was quite cheap. The only thing extra was the replacement of the front door speakers which after 10 yrs were pretty much gone. The unit looks good and sounds great.

Smokie

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95 E420 BigBlue
500E Sway bars
2001 C Class 16 in. Rims
KYB Struts and shocks
Rear spoiler
American Stitches Wheel
Bigred 99 F250 Powerstroke
JVC EXAD Mp3 player
JVC EXAD GPS

Here are pictures from my rear deck and trunk. Single 12" RF punch DVC sub in place of first aid kit. Hole cut through rear deck. Box built under rear deck. Totally sealed. Great bass response. Clean and tight. Alpine head unit with stock speakers. Front speakers powered by head unit, rears and doors powered by stock amps. I have tweeters to be added to setup but Im selling the car. My system was set for sound quality,not crazy loudness. And for that aplications stock speakers in doors, dash and rear deck are just fine. Hope this helps.

Attached Thumbnails

       

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1999 ML430 Silver 135k ml
Smoked LED taillights, Alpine in-dash DVD player, 12" sub, Pioneer components, 2 amps, 4200k HIDs, ML55 headlights, 20" rims, mirror LED blinkers

SOLD. 1996 E320 145k ml. Burgundy

SOLD but miss it everyday 1992 500sel Black
Chime buzzer mod,Alpine CD/MP3 player with stock amp,Euro headlights,S600 grill,20" rims, BEST CAR EVER!

SOLD. 1990 300E White
187k ml,smoked tails,Euro headlights,17rims,Intake,12" sub in first aid kit,alarm/autostart,buzzer mod

I've got 2 Hollywood Expeditions (12's) in my trunk, sealed box and my own damping matting throughout the trunk. I'm going to be rewiring my entire system in the next few weeks so I'll take pics of the process and the installation of my new L7 sub.

As for your question BENZ, about what to put in your doors and front, I'd suggest you put some 2 channel Infinity's in there....great, sharp response and chrisp hi's, plus they're effective and won't break your bank.

I don't know that I would mess with anything but a solid mid or mid/bass speaker , if your W124 has it's door speakers in the same location as mine, which fire into the sides of the front seats. Plus any high's coming from a location that low will only screw up the sound staging even more.

But that's my my opinon as a former pro-audio guy.

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I just bought the Monster iCruze and interface adapter for my 95 E320 wagon. I am just waiting for the radio removal tool to arrive. The interface adapter is a male connection which should go into the back of the radio. The connection in the back of the car for the CD changer is also male so it is not possible to hook up the iCruze in the trunk (I thought of the same thing). It appears to be a very simple connection with no dedicated power or ignition connections needed (unlike the interface adapter for our Volvo). I am thinking about putting the iPod in the console lock-box so I can lock it if needed. I expect the removal tool some time this week so will update everyone once I get it installed.

I am hoping this will buy me some time until I am ready to make a full sound system change at some point later.

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Benson

1995 E320 Wagon
1996 Volvo 850GLT

I'm not sure it will work with my '92 500E so I guess the search continues. I don't need the thing to control the iPod, just looking for a way to get the singnal injected without using an FM modulator, casset-tape adaptor or other cheesy input methods. I don't swap songs much, even on a long road trip.. but I'd like to have the changer capacity even if it has to be directly manipulated.

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Almost there...

I got the USA-SPEC interface for the holidays, but the adapter cable to go to the MB changer cable in the rear is only due to arrive today. That, and of course my CD changer cable in the rear quarterpanel had 10-years worth of car-funk and washer-fluid-spillage-caused corrosion (why couldn't the factory put the end of the adapter in a plastic bag or anything? I mean, in the wagon, it was stored beneath the rear washer fluid reservoir - what were they thinking!). So, I need to rewire a new 10-pin connector once the adapter arrives, and hopefully things will be just fine. I'll post again, hopefully with some pics, once it's all done.

I decided to nuke my factory CD changer and pull out the factory MBZ phone
(I'm saving them in a box.. who knows.. I might 'restore' it some time down the road).

What I'm doing about my audio issue (I really had putting non-factory head units in these cars.. they just look WRONG) is completing the integration (if you can call it that) of an external audio source using and FM modulator but not the type they are selling that plugs into the cigarett lighter or any hokey stuff like that. I'm going old-school. It's hardwired into the antenna and disconnects the external antenna when in use. Problem is right now I have to physically throw a small switch to turn the unit on/off. I'm going to go looking for a device that will look for a signal on the audio line and trigger a relay to enable the device automagically.

This is the device I found one at a local audio shop. They were still pretty proud of it (pricey) but I figured I did not want to soure the net for one so I paid the $49.00 they wanted for it. Pfft. I can go without 2 latte's and make up the extra cost.. LOL

Now it's off to the Radar Shack to get a couple of small 12v relays and see if I can find the parts or a kit that will peform the triggering for me. I hate having to remember to flip switches. When I'm done the little switch in my console will become my first-gear-start switch..

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Like many here, I'm ready to replace my soundsystem in my 95 E300D. I've been considering putting in a sub under the medical kit as some have described, but have been wondering... has anyone tried to expand the rear speakers? Instead of the 5 1/4"'s that are in there... could you expand the opening to fit 6x9s instead?

I realize this wouldn't be quite the same bass as a 10 or 12" sub in the rear deck, but I hate to lose the space in my trunk... and I don't know how to calculate what size to make the enclosure, etc.

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks

I have a follow up question (since no one jumped on my 6x9 idea )

If I put a sub under the med kit... do I need to enclose it in the trunk? Or can I let the trunk be the enclosure? What is the negative to doing it this way?

I have no idea how to build or size the enclosure... plus I don't want to lose the trunk space.

And I can't tell but it looks to me that the sub speaker will be too close to my fuel tank (diesel). I havent started cutting yet so I could be wrong...