Hi,does anyone out there know of a good stereo shop in the Bay area that they can recommend for quality work (no wires hanging,doors ruined etc.)? I want to upgrade the stereo system in my 1992 300CE and i want it done right. If anyone knows of a good shop please let me know.Thanks for your time
Phillip

Can't go wrong with the Good Guys Install. Lifetime warranty on their installs. If you can, go to Nick at Santa Clara Good Guys and he'll help you out.

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96 Legacy LSi wagon
92 Mitsu Expo
95 525iT
1983 300TD clackclackclack sold
1972 Toyota Corolla wagon TE28 sold
1991 Galant VR4 pshhhhh non-op
1989 Montero RS pop's ride

AAAAAAAAGH! GoodGuys? Nooooooooo!

Quality of install differs radically from shop to shop. My experience with a dual amp and cd changer install in a BMW was ludicrous (amps hanging off one screw, rear seat not re-installed properly, heavy duty wiring run behind the trunk carpet and joined up to factory wiring harness instead of all the way to head unit, c-pillar cover and kickpanel fascia bent etc.). Manager took over after receiving a letter from me drafted by an attorney, did an excellent professional install at that point. I'll never go back except to get pricing info. on components, as theirs are typically best.

Depending on where you are, I know of the following:

Frank's in Berkeley looks to be the best I've seen. Very attentive, several examples of very high-end installs in their photo album. Sales personnel spent a lot of time with me discussing options. They will be doing my install when I get around to it. Prices are good. Very familiar with W124 chassis, particularly sub installs in trunk, will not oversell you on components.

Marin Auto Stereo Alarm has been around forever (San Rafael) with a good reputation as far as I've heard, though I have no personal experience. Very high-end.

Performance Car Stereo in Lafayette is also quite good, I've had a number of components installed by them and they do fine work. I think they have shops elsewhere in the Bay Area. Good range from medium to high-end.

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RJ
'92 500E
'75 Triumph TR 6

I would echo rj in recommendation of Marin Auto Stereo. I have used them and they are very good but expensive. I've also used Bay Stereo in S.F. and had bad experience. I guess you get what you pay for.

LRG

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LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold

You might want to visit Sound Innovations in Hayward.
When you walk in, you will get a pretty good idea of what their operation is all about.
You will talk to Ernie Onate, the owner.
It will not be cheap, but it will be good. They have done my 560SEC, 450SEL and 250SL. I'm quite pleased.

E mail me if you want some more info or detail.

Good luck !

Bruce

Thanks to all who replied. I will go to all of the above mentioned places and do some price/quality comparing. Your time and responses are very much appreciated,
Phillip

I went to Franks today to see what they had and to check their total package pricing, and for a good system I was quoted about $3900.00. Is this a good price? High Price or average or Low price?It includes the CD(Alpine)6 disc unit in trunk/Head(Alpine) unit/Boston Acoustic Separates/sub woofer/ high quality amp front dash speakers/top of line wiring and labor and warranty.Please let me know what you think.

Phillip

get a list of specific parts, go to Goodguys or Circuit City, compare prices, go back to Frank's and negotiate. I'm betting they will negotiate, as have other high-end shops I've dealt with.

Don't bother negotiating on labor, from what I saw, they appear to do excellent, high-end work. Probably spend alot more time on the install than they'll bill you for.

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RJ
'92 500E
'75 Triumph TR 6

Ok,thanks again for your time..sounda like a good idea. Their workmanship appears to be very high quality which im sure is the most important thing.

Phillip