What stereo have you updated your W126 with after purchase?

[maclaren65]

I purchased my 1991 350 SDL in October 2012. I'm loving it so far. It's a beautiful, one-owner, pampered car, with 99k original miles. I plan to keep it mostly stock, beyond a few performance related upgrades. I'm working my way down the list of upgrades. and one area that I would like to update is the stock stereo system, which is AM/FM cassette.

A few things that I find less than appealing are:
1] It makes static noise every time I touch the fader dial in the center console next to the right review mirror joystick.
2] The AM/FM radio reception is pretty weak compared to a modern car. The rear antenna extends and retracts normally.
3] Speakers crackle randomly. See number 1 above.

Features I want:
4] I use an iPhone regularly, including with my Escort 9500xi and its bluetooth and iApp combo to stay aware of police on the roads. I need charging to power my iPhone or my occasional USB device.
5] Want to be able to play music off my iPhone or USB device. As much as I love my cassette and CD collection, they are not worth the hassle compared to a modern MP3 enabled device.
6] Option for satellite radio.
7] Option for a backup camera. My wife's 2012 Acura MDX has a backup camera, which is super helpful for vehicles with big rear ends and blind spots like our MDX and SDL! Once you use this feature, it's hard to live without it.
8] AM/FM radio is needed... cassette and CD payers not so much.

What stereo have you updated your W126 with after purchase?

What issues have you faced and solve?

Thanks for all your input.

[281lxm]

Mine had a Pioneer system installed with the CD changer in the trunk. He paid over $750 for it in 1999, but the original owner got ripped off alot. I really listen to sports radio or my Iphone blue tooth so I opted for a very light weight, slightly smaller Pioneer system I got on sale at Best Buy for $89. Regular at $129, it aptly powers all 6 speakers, has nice EQ and can to the subs if I want to. I stuck with Pioneer as the wiring was the same.

[wooky_chew_bacca]

First, I did not cut or hack into any wiring except to tie the dash and door speakers together. I put a Kenwood AM/FM/CD player in, no additional amp, got it for 30 bucks at a flea market a couple of years ago and had it in a Jeep truck I used to own. Since the power antenna was shot I replaced it and ran a new cable to the dash along with new rear speaker wires. To keep the radio/cd balanced I added a set of speakers to the rear, 4 front 4 rear, hooked it all up and still can't play it wide open, not that it won't but I'm deaf enough already lol.

Very satisfied with this as I tried two more Becker head units and they didn't work right plus the boot unit kept blowing fuses, it's still in there but eventually I'll remove it.

[V12StealthHunter]

Sounds like another molested w126 to me.

[JoeBob55]

Original Becker is long gone from my car...came with a WalMart special Sony running through a previous owner's wiring to only the front speakers. It plays fairly well, the radio works fine (occasionally have to jiggle the lead-in at the antenna, which no longer goes up and down electrically), and the CD player works adequately. Just bought my first-ever MP3 player, I will soon get to try plugging it into the jack on the front of the stereo.

If I were to replace it, Sony has an AM/FM/Shortwave/CD player I'd be interested in. Don't need Bluetooth, built-in GPS or back-up camera. But then, even the original AM/FM/Cassette is a lot fancier than what my first car had...AM, no pushbuttons, and you had to wait for it to warm up because it used TUBES!

[ianrandom]

Pioneer DEH 1300MP in mine. I learnt my lesson bodging in a stereo in a W116 years ago and cocking up the car, an MB is one car I wouldn't dream of fitting a stereo to myself now. Got a local MB specialist to fit both my 126 stereos.

I like this Pioneer, to me it looks very nice in the dash, I like the white on black display. It sits nicely flush in there too. Hasn't got lots of flashing lights or anything.

Radio reception is awesome on both cars. The SE I changed the speakers for same sized updated ones, and had the shop remove the crackly fader wheel.
But the SEC had the cheapest option, so still on original speakers and fader wheel. Sounds ok though.

[tusabes]

The older Nakamichis blended in best with the aesthetics of the 126 dash, Amazon or ebay has them, but they wont work nice with the Iphone

For Iphone I used an Alpine CD deck, they have many models for $100-160 that have lots of features, sound good and looks classy in the dash. Amazon or crutchfield is a good place to search

[tusabes]

heres a pic of my Alpine CDE100, it has both a USB plug and a headphone/mp3 jack

[ChiefRider]

The crackling you hear could easily be oxydized electrical connections that just need to be cleaned, and the paper cones on your oem speakers are now 21 years old. Replacing the speakers would be a great start. I have all Boston Acoustics in my car.

I have a Nakamichi in my car. It was the only aftermarket unit that I felt looked right at home. The PM had already installed a Kenwood, so the wiring had already been changed from stock.

I have had good luck with the OE Beckers, and were it my car would leave it be. If you are at all interested, Becker can reman your radio and install the appropriate recepticle to plug your ipod, etc in as a source.

[Grumpy560]

I wouldn't consider mine an updated system, at least not the head units but I still have a cassette deck, 12 disc CD changer, ipod and XM satellite radio so that's good enough for me.