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  #1  
Old 01-22-2016, 08:04 PM
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Adding a Stereo to 1988 560SL

Hi - Pretty new to this forum, Brand new to Mercedes. I just bought a 1988 560SL and it should be here next week. It is totally original - nothing has been added to the car since Day 1. My goal is to keep it absolutely original... the only thing I want to do is add a new stereo / bluetooth, etc. I don't want to touch the original stereo in the car, but want to add a new stereo... In essence, I want everything visible to look original, have a "hidden" system that I can use on occasional trips, etc. I am not willing to cut anything or in any way change the appearance of the car.

Any ideas on how I can accomplish this? I won't be doing it myself - will hire a professional to do the job. But I will be directing what is and isn't acceptable as far as the work being done to the car, and will be there the whole time while they install it.

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  #2  
Old 01-23-2016, 09:03 AM
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A couple of things to help the process.

Have your goals written clearly on paper. Set clearly defined dissassembly and modification limitations.

It is going to be very difficult ( RE time consuming / expensive ) to accomplish your goal of no cut wires , drilled / tapped holes with an add on radio..

There are companies that modify older radios with modern internals, that might be your best bet as you can pull the original radio and insert a replacement.
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  #3  
Old 01-23-2016, 11:35 AM
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Any single DIN

unit will physically fit without modification. You may need a few out of sight wiring adapters. If I were doing this, I would do such a replacement and keep the original radio in a safe place for future re-installation. It is easily reversible.

If keeping the original unit in place is that important, it requires installing the modern unit in the glove compartment or in the open such as center console or a box on the rear shelf for access to the controls. This, in my opinion, is a much messier installation and requires more non-original modification than simple replacement.
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  #4  
Old 01-23-2016, 12:02 PM
Jack
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Kalamazoo, Mi
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Congratulations on your new car. If you want to upgrade your system but keep it original looking, you may want to check out this vendor.

Becker AutoSound LLC - Mercedes BMW Ferrari Porsche Auto Audio Repairs
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  #5  
Old 01-23-2016, 03:57 PM
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on my 72 I had Becker add an input jack on mine , I ran a connetion out along the back firewall to the seat area, plugged in and enjoyed everthing my phone had ( spodify ect) or ipod. Was just fine.
On my 99 as mentioned I just slipped a new one in and kept the original . Must admit I dont like the looks of it
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2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
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99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
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  #6  
Old 01-24-2016, 08:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dreamweaver View Post
Hi - Pretty new to this forum, Brand new to Mercedes. I just bought a 1988 560SL and it should be here next week. It is totally original - nothing has been added to the car since Day 1. My goal is to keep it absolutely original...
How many miles on this SL?
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  #7  
Old 01-24-2016, 08:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nobby View Post
How many miles on this SL?
43k
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  #8  
Old 02-05-2016, 09:18 PM
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Be. Careful when. Screwing with the radio it has grounds that you need to know about. It has an alarm system hooked to radio check to be sure that it is disconnected to save yourself a lot of grief
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  #9  
Old 02-05-2016, 09:20 PM
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I blew. 2 Alternators, And a battery trying to install and after market. Most radio dudes know nothing about the Becker. It is confusing and needs experience to screw with it. Take my word for it.
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  #10  
Old 02-05-2016, 10:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom McMenamin View Post
I blew. 2 Alternators, And a battery trying to install and after market. Most radio dudes know nothing about the Becker. It is confusing and needs experience to screw with it. Take my word for it.
OK - After reading this I have decided that I will just leave it alone. Not going to be putting tons of moles on it, and will be content with AM/FM on weekend adventures. Thanks for the tips.
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  #11  
Old 02-06-2016, 10:39 AM
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I would counter that a radio change can damage the alternator or battery, the wiring between the radio and alt / bat would vaporize like a fuse before the alt / bat were damaged.
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  #12  
Old 02-06-2016, 11:50 AM
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Here you go - just mount your state of the art stereo, Bluetooth, speaker, wireless remote, whammer-jammer system in a period correct suitcase on the parcel shelf.



Instructions - Suitcase BoomBox

More 107 sound system ideas - http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c107-sl-slc-class/1643707-107-audio-thread.html

Personally I don't understand the obsession with keeping things pristinely stock - of course, once I installed the MB Diesel engine in my 380SL chassis any possible pretense of originality on my part went away....
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  #13  
Old 02-06-2016, 05:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mach4 View Post
Here you go - just mount your state of the art stereo, Bluetooth, speaker, wireless remote, whammer-jammer system in a period correct suitcase on the parcel shelf.

....
Good stuff Mach4. I think I will keep my "baby" all original and take up some of the suggestions with the next one ... Hunting for #2 now
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  #14  
Old 03-04-2016, 06:12 PM
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Had to disconnect the battery and the stereo is locked I need the code.

1. How do I obtain the code / who do I call?

2. Once I get the code how do I unlock the stereo? I looked through both the car and the stereo owner's manual and there aren't any instructions.

Thx
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  #15  
Old 03-04-2016, 09:57 PM
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if its original to the car , the dealer may be able to help, sometimes it is written on the body of the radio( you will have to remove), sometimes written in the original literature for the car. When all else fails perhaps Becker can help. When you power it backup it will ask for code

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2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace
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