The only thing on the new 2000 E Class that is fiber optic is the audio feed from the head unit to the factory cd changer and factory phone. The head unit in the new 2000 E Class is a Alpine (nice radio). As for the difference with the bose premium and the standard is better speaker and low and deaper bass response.You can put in any radio that you want very easily. You can even plug the new Blaupunkt Toronto in dash cd right into the MB harness. Takes lss than 15 seconds and has the same ISO connections and antenna connections as the original MB radio. The only thing that you will lose is been able to control a factory cd changer and factory phone.

Jim LaPlant
Factory Trained Mercedes-Benz technician

Plant, it hardly seems worth it to use the Blaupunkt if you lose the use of the phone and the CD changer. Also if the feed to the Amplifier is 'normal' and not fiber-optic that opens up other amp choices, correct.

------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1998 MERCEDES-BENZ E430
<LI>OBSIDIAN BLACK/BLACK
<LI>XENON H.I.D.
<LI>DEBADGED E430
<LI>AMG CHROMED TIP DUAL EXHAUST
<LI>CARLSSON 1/6 CHROME (PLUS 1) WHEELS
<LI>ALPINE CHM-S611 CD CHANGER
</UL>

Hi Kevin,

Yes, you can use any amp you want then. You can control a Blaupunkt CD Chaner with the Toronto for alot cheaper than the factory MB radio if you dont like it. As for the CD Changers price $850.00 installed and the factory digital MB phone is about $1,500.00 plus and extra $480.00 if you want voice activation. Hope this helps you out!

Jim LaPlant
Factory Trained Mercedes-Benz Technician

Plant, can I assume its the same scenario for a '99 CLK430?
TIA


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jeffs
1999 CLK430 silver/charcoal
SE Michigan

Hi Jeffs,

Yes same for the 99 CLK.

Thanks,

Jim LaPlant

I know this is an old thread, but you seem to know what you are talking about and I've been searching for an answer for a while.
How about the 2002 240C, can I put in any receiver I want? Thanks.

Some MB's starting with 2000 E-Class and 2001 C-Class, have CAN-bus. If you install an aftermarket radio, not only do you lose the use of factory phone and CD changer, but you will also lose on/off with ignition, speed dependent volume control and radio illumination with the dash lights.

Thank for the reply. No phone. No changer. I just want to play MP3 CDs by either 1) replacing the receiver with one capable of playing MP3 CDs, or 2) somehow feeding the "CD" input of the receiver with the output of a separate MP3 CD player. Also considering an FM modulator, but this is my least desired alternative.

If I understand correctly, option #1 is viable so long as I don't care for on/off with ignition, speed sensitive volume, and ilumination of the receiver face plate. I could probably live with these limitations. Are there any other issues to consider, such as the optic fiber wiring and amp, etc.?

Thanks.

I got a 1999 E320 with OEM head and fibre optic.

I guess, since I cant find any cd changers that play mp3 for my fibre optic factory pigtails in the trunk, I am looking at adding a MP# player in glove box and/or
Yanking the whole OEM thing out s3lling it on ebay and buying a decent radio with cd changer. What's the lowest priced DVD player that could go into the same hole?

Thanks all

__________________
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I want to do something similar for my 2000 C43. I am looking to replace the head unit of my Bose upgrade system with a new one with a CD slot rather than adding a CD changer in the trunk. Can I get the Blaupunkt Toronto also for an easy installation and just lose the connection to the factory phone and CD changer? In addition, is the size comparable to my factory unit so that I don't have to get custom work?