Replacing OE Becker with CD any help appreciated

[KYCOL]

While I wish to keep much of my MB OE, I can't see paying the prices they want for a rebuilt Becker, so Im replacing the OE with a CD/CD/RW Unit tommorrow, anyone who has done this and can help with removal please reply..

TNX

1983 300SD Diesel

[csnow]

Get MP3 playback.
Can rip 10 or more CDs onto 1.
Better than a changer, IMHO.

I cut the factory connectors off the back of my Becker and soldered the wires from the new unit onto them. That way, you can use the existing factory terminals off the wiring harnesses, and minimize how much splicing work is done while contorted in the car. No fun soldering under the dash. Plus, those factory connectors are very nice.

Destroys the Becker, but mine was toast anyways.

Best of luck.

[SCOTTFISH]

If your 83 300sd is like my 90 420sel, you would be better off just unplugging the becker and leave the factory plug behind the dash, in cas you ever want to plug the becker back up. I would then, rewire the stereo to bypass the amps because with an aftermarket deck, you may pick up a whine in the radio. It is a very easy job to rewire it and would be very easy to go back to original settings if needed. You will lose the fader on the console, but you will have that on the deck so you won't need it. When you get done, the sound from your aftermarket deck will be awesome compared to the old becker. Email me if you want further instructions on how to do it and the supplies you will need. My email is scottfish@peoplepc.com . I rewired my 420 and helped rewire my wife's 300 se(first one done).

[Benz300]

simplest thing to do is to use t-tap connectors. this way you're not cutting wires at all. just tapping into them. just make sure the original connectors are insulated and covered with electrical tape so that they don't touch eachother or the body parts.
'83 should be fairly simple to work on.
good luck.

[KYCOL]

Appreciate the replys! Gonna get into it tommorrow...

Tnx

!983 300SD

[csnow]

Not a fan of tap connectors.
Too many problems with them in the past.
Just untangled a big mess of them on another car this past weekend.
JMHO

[Benz300]

csnow,
interesting. are u referring to them over a period of time ? i've seen most audio shops use them therefore i started using them too. what sort of problems did you experience ?

[Richard Eldridge]

My advice would be to make sure that your new head unit has a stereo miniplug jack (like the computer speaker plug), as this will allow you to plug in a cassette player or perhaps a satellite radio later on.

You could also hoot up any sort of MP3 player, incluyding the ones that run off a hard drive. The prices of these are sure to plummet in the next year or so.

I tend to think that there will be free satellite radios with a year's contract in a year or so,

Might as well be prepared.

Alpine makes the most skip-free of CD players, they say. Check out the Stereo Forum here at Mercedesshop.

[KYCOL]

I like alpine thats what Im replacing the Becker with Ive had one in my new Hyundia Elantra for almost a year now it has performed flawless.

Tnx for the info

1983 300 SD

[TCG]

I replaced the OE Becker in a friends 300E with a Blaupunkt that I bought from Crutchfield. For $10 (if I remember correctly) they supplied all the appropriate adapters. No cutting, splicing, or soldering was necessary.

Tom

[Rockman59]

Alpine makes the most skip-free of CD players,
___________________________________________________

I replaced my Becker with a Pioneer AM/FM/CD unit on my 560 SEL and it works great. No skipping, wonderful FM and CD quality, and the AM radio has the best pulling power (sensitivity) of any of the "name" units. Gotta have good AM for those baseball games........

I bought a reconditioned Becker/Sony 1432 Silverston CD changer from Becker when the price wasn't too outragous. I've not had one single problem with it. No skipping, no jamming. Sound is great. I believe that the problem with these changers was with the original cassettes that came via Mercedes Benz. I use the simpler Sony cassette and have had no problems at all.

Unfortunately, you cannot get new cassettes but they are available on ebay.

[csnow]

The only thing I liked about cassettes was that they would keep their place when removed. Good mostly for audio books, and such.

Otherwise, I can't think of anything good to say about them.

Blank CDs are like 10cents each, and you can fit 10 or more hours of music on one. No hiss, and no wear with usage.

Now if they could make them even smaller and less fragile, that would be an improvement. My wife is always breaking or scratching them.

[zafarhayatkhan]

I was able to use the factory wiring in the trunk to install an Alpine 6 disc MP3 changer, in my 94 E320.

[KYCOL]

Got the CD in, No problem, the Alpine slide right in the existing Becker spot....Later, I may replace the speakers, but guys the OE MB speakers are sounding pretty good with the alpine right now!

Tnx again

1983 300SD T