[sanderGA]

I have a Grundig stereo in my 1980 W123 200 gasoline euro edition. It has a Grundig stereo from that era that is pretty bad. It's tough to find a station because I honestly don't know how to work the thing. Efforts to find a manual have gotten me nowhere. Even when I can lock onto a local station, the reception is really bad.

I'm really not an audiophile. If I can find my sports talk station and NPR and maybe listen to some music with less static than music occasionally, I'm good.

So I'm plotting to address this problem by installing a modern head unit that doesn't look out of place in a W123. I'm considering this one as it's relatively cheap and doesn't look too out of period:
Continental Automotive

Has anyone tried installing a modern stereo such as the Continental using the existing wiring, antenna, and speakers? Was that an easy fix or do I need to plan on replacing everything from the antenna to the speakers including head unit and wiring?

Thanks,

Sander

 

[ianrandom]

I have a Grundig stereo in my 1980 W123 200 gasoline euro edition. It has a Grundig stereo from that era that is pretty bad. It's tough to find a station because I honestly don't know how to work the thing. Efforts to find a manual have gotten me nowhere. Even when I can lock onto a local station, the reception is really bad.

I'm really not an audiophile. If I can find my sports talk station and NPR and maybe listen to some music with less static than music occasionally, I'm good.

So I'm plotting to address this problem by installing a modern head unit that doesn't look out of place in a W123. I'm considering this one as it's relatively cheap and doesn't look too out of period:
Continental Automotive

Has anyone tried installing a modern stereo such as the Continental using the existing wiring, antenna, and speakers? Was that an easy fix or do I need to plan on replacing everything from the antenna to the speakers including head unit and wiring?

Thanks,

Sander

Welcome Sander. Can I recommend putting your car model and year into your profile for us some time? https://www.benzworld.org/threads/complete-your-profile.3096994/

 

[Maplehill]

I did replace a outdated aftermarket radio with a new Continental and upgraded the speakers with the existing wires.
It's pretty straight forward and there's a good w123 Continental install video on you tube before you get started. BTW it's totally worth it makes a huge difference. Good Luck

 

[flyaway]

Piece of cake and good learning experience if you’ve never done it before. Think twice before snipping wires.

 

[dennislarock]

I replaced the original 38 year old Becker in the '85 TD the other day with an Alpine UTE-73BT. I bought it from Cructhfield... they sent the 'harness' and instructions for the W123... and, it took me an hour to install it. 119. (plus tax = 132.) free shipping. I put Pioneer speakers in the old girl probably around 15 years ago... Sounds incredible! They sell Retro 'period' stereos as well... not cheap.

DO NOT CUT ANY WIRES! Just trim and place electrical connectors between the harness and the wires on the back of the Alpine... the W123 wires then just PLUG-IN to the harness.

 

[dave33333]

I installed a Kenwood KMM-BT328U in my 85 TD a couple of years back It was the only stereo I could find at the time due to supply chain issues. I ordered a Metra 70-1860 Receiver Wiring Harness from Critchfield for the installation. I regret not getting a stereo that has a trigger for the power antenna

 

[dennislarock]

Dave,

Look back at your installation instructions... if there is a solid 'Blue' wire coming from the Kenwood that is probably for the power antenna. The W123 has a blue wire that is covered in a Black casing (go figure)... and, it has a female spade connector attached to it.
I crimped a male spade to the Blue wire from the Alpine... then, connected it to the W123 spade connector. I did have to grab another power antenna switch that I had in reserve for everything to work properly... then, Alpine On, PA Up... Alpine Off, PA Down. Works Great.

Not your exact Model... but, close

kenwood-kmm-bt322u-wiring-diagram

 

[dave33333]

thanks, that's helpful, when I check the wiring diagram for my unit it has a blue/white wire that is the trigger for the power antenna or an external amp. I believe this means that the power for the antenna is triggered no matter what mode the unit is in. I.e. aux/tuner/stotify/etc. In one of my previous W123's I had a stereo that only triggered the power antenna when the unit was in A/FM (Tuner) mode, that's what I wished my current stereo did

 

[12tinker]

any suggestions for replacing the rear speakers
i just installed the continental and now have bluetooth which in comvient. unfortunatly you wil have to purchase the din connector seperatly

 

[sanderGA]

Thank you all for the input. I'm going to install the Continental when I work my way that far down the list. I'll post an update when I have it in.