I have a "new" '95 E300D with this puppy:



I use a cassette adapter for my mp3 player that I used in my old Volvo. Not great quality, but good enough.

However, in my new Benz there is a lot of static when I play anything in the cassette player. It plays, but it sounds bad. The AM/FM radio sounds crystal clear, however.

I went to Circuit City, wanting to get a $99 stereo with AUX IN, with free installation. Whoops! They explained they'd have to take all the speakers out and it'd cost big $$$.

So here are my options:

1.) Take out stereo and try to clean/fix cassette player myself. What would cause the static? Maybe dirt or bad wiring? Already tried a cassette cleaner.

2.) Get the Becker conversion http://www.beckerautosound.com/1692-1996-97/aux_input.htm Has anyone done this? Happy with it? How much?

3.) Remove the speakers, put in new ones myself, THEN get a new cheap stereo. Is this a lot of work?

Any recommendations? Thanks!

I've done the Becker conversion. $100.00 plus freight. This is by far the cheapest option.
You get a nice long cable with a good receptacle. I just mounted mine on the passenger side tunnel. Just remember that you must have a tape in while you are using the aux input.

Good people at Becker. A few years ago I had an amp go out in my 300E. I was just north of Upper Saddle River on business. Gave them a call and they said sure stop by.
Ed Ebel and a technician came out to the car, did a diagnosis and replaced the amp in no time at all.

Steve