This is a repost from the audio board

Hey,

I have a '76 240D w/ the original Becker Europa Am/Fm radio w/ the one speaker in the center of the dash. I have been wrestling w/ the idea of replacing that with a stereo. I'd like to be able to keep the car as orginal as possible though and put minimum impact into the car. What do you guys think? Suffer through the poor sound until the Becker dies, or buy a nice aftermarket system and start cutting holes?

It got no response from that forum. For those of you w/ 115's what kind of stereos do you have? Any Recommendations? I am looking to spend less than $500 if I do decide to go aftermarket.

I would convert to a more up to date stereo and put speakers in the rear. The sheet metal on the rear deck is very stout and it is difficult to cut. I did that to my 1969 220D and it worked great. I assume your car has the fuel tank below the trunk, if not it can be a problem. I installed 5" in the rear and installed 4x3 ovals in the bottom dash covers in the front. I would not cut door panels or other stuff. If you remove the center speaker, install some black cloth on a screen in place of the removed speaker. If you don't do that, light shines through at night and is annoying.

Henry

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63 190d (sold)
69 220D (sold)
69 280SL (sold)
76 BMW 2002 (sold)
86 190E-16v (Demised at Laguna Seca Turn 9)
87 300SDL (sold)
87 300SDL 135k
87 300TD 280k (sold)
95 E320W 211k
95 E320w 111k
05 C320 4matic
06 E320 CDI 90k (Totaled by a texting 19 year old girl in a nissan)
2013 GLK 250 Bluetek 4MATIC

hhmm center speaker...

Try one of those stereos that could power up a center speaker and have five speakers!! That'd be really nice! Like the new Mercedes-Benz's.

I like Nakamichi Head units... CD-45Z especially if only they weren't so expensive.

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

Well, since this is a joint venture between my father and I, I don't think we will be putting anything new in as he wants it as origninal as possible. At least until the becker dies.

Aren't those uber expensive? I'm pretty sure a Nakamichi full system in a Lexus is a $5000+ option. Seeing as we paid under $2000 for the car, I don't think that will be happening.

The CD-45Z isn't so bad.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1394626491

They have some that are really expensive....

Another really nice looking head unit is a unit by McIntosh!

I can't find a picture but I'd imagine it would look so at home in the dash of an old Benz!
Too bad it costs a few thousand bucks.

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

The Mac's are nice, I have seen a few on eBay go for a few hundred dollars.

I have been debating on weather or not to replace the old Becker Mexico in my car. It still works great, but I something more modern would be nice. I have been thinking about replacing it with a Kenwood Mask or and Alpine.