I have finally decided to replace the head unit in my 1998 s420 and I have only come across a few that I like the look of. The Jensen Heavy Duty units seem like they would look nice but they are pricey.
If you guys have any other suggestions please post!
I know a couple of people that have them and they've been quite pleased. The look works out great in our cars and doesn't have the bright blingy look of more modern head units.
Thanks, I have looked at that one before but never knew where to purchase it, thank you! I wonder if the preamp output is 4v because I know that is what the bose amp needs.
A couple of people in the R129 forum have put them in cars of the same vintage with the BOSE systems without issues. You can take a look over there. If you can't find the thread let me know and I'll dig it up.
It was recently, like within a couple of months ago.
Just ordered one in. All my cars have the Eurovox headunit with the Bose amp and speakers. The S600 system has a constant hiss which is not the amplifier and the 10 stack skips very easily so that will be the 1st car to get this lavish gift.
Remember guys. The Mercedes Factory unit uses speaker signal output level(It means you connect a speaker to the head-unit-for testing) to the four-channel input amp like all the 94-99 cars, so any aftermarket with four speaker output will work, AND..... The speaker output(from the new head-unit) must be twisted in the same direction as in the harness to get the same quality signal. If the head unit has a 4v RMS output at line-level than that is even better.
The 92-93 cars have a two-channel input amp with a mechanical fader on the center-console near the shifter
I'm on the fence as to whether or not to go with one of these in my W126. It's already got an aftermarket head unit, but it's a dated one with only an aux input and no USB.
And it looks like a damned movie theater marquee with all the scrolling lights and stuff.
Installation: 100%. Plugged straight in but I did have to file back the locking tabs for enough clearance for the unit to slot in, piece of cake. Need to re-wire the remote wire so that it resumes after a restart rather then defaulting to track one each time.
I like the rear aux-in port which would allow routing a cable to somewhere out of the way, like the storage box in the console, so I don't have cables dangling around.
The specs are a bit light-on, but they don't seem to have pre-amp level outputs so for those of us with older cars resistor packs on the speaker lines will be needed to feed the amp and not blow it up.
Instead of messing around with the head units, why not just plug in a GROM Bluetooth/AUX adapter and simplify everything. It just plugs right into the stock head unit (where the CD changer goes) and it will give you full Bluetooth functionality and an AUX port if you want it.
A few people here have used them and I haven't heard anything bad so far.
Becker will repair the stock head unit for $175; maybe it's worth it rather than experimenting with other ones. The system was matched to that particular unit; I can't imagine anything else out there improving on it very much, short of updating the whole thing, speakers and all.
The USA got different model Beckers to Europe. I researched the option of getting a Euro Becker that would tune to Oz radio, but could never convince myself the CD port would be compatible with a Grom. Plus, they were really expensive, like ~$300 plus shipping. It was too big a gamble so I bailed on the idea.
At the time there was nothing like these Continental and VDO products. Now we seem spoiled with options. Perhaps a few years back our cars were just old, now they are retro and makers see a market opportunity..
The problem with US radios is they tune in different steps to Oz. I considered picking up a BE-1692 just to plug a Grom into it and never use the radio. A quick look on eBay just now shows most are still over $100 with high shipping.
Pulled the trigger and ordered the continental for my S320. Will post my pictures and review when I install it.
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