bill morrow

hello..

wife wants the radio/CD player in her 2000 E320 wagon replaced with one that works..

tried to get it fixed 5 years ago but indy tech said the radio was not communicating with the 6 CD player in the back..

any aftermarket recommendations or thoughts on how to fix whats there..?

thanks

01BlackE320

The Kenwood Excelon series like this one works perfect in my car. I have a version from a few years ago. Radio sound quality is dramatically increased, it has Bluetooth phone and audio or a usb connection to connect and charge phone. You'll also get AM radio back which rarely worked in our old radios. It's inexpensive and an easy installation. If you have the Bose option, the 4v preamp output matches up perfectly with you existing Bose amplifier. If not, it uses it's own 22 watt amplifier to power your speakers.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KDCX...3276865&awdv=t

bill morrow

thanks for the link..

between messing with the 6 CD changer in my ailing and about to be parted out '01 S600 (a really fine car except for those pesky two cylinders) and a fancy new radio for the woman (happy wife = happy life) i'll probably select the kenwood radio.. i can write a lot of mp3 files on a single CD and she'll be a happy wife..

01BlackE320

I noticed the old 6cd changer had descent sound but the radio sound quality was not great. When I replaced the head unit with he Kenwood, everything sounded really good. My installer wired the mic up the window pillar so the Bluetooth phone works pretty well. Also it syncs to my phone and I can use Pandora or Spotify anytime wirelessly

bill morrow

i ordered the radio unit you suggested and not the more expensive more talented one for about $175 on the theory she only wants music and does not need the complexity of more stuff than on and off..

i MIGHT wire it up for her phone but she talks enough already..
besides i'm a firm believer in driving, not having a hen session at the wheel..

radio should be here tomorrow but since it is a christmas gift, i'll not dive into the guts until "boxing day"..

OH!, almost forgot, the sound in my SL600 was getting crappy (bass blasting) so i did a speakerectomy in the doors and for about $50 had two much better than the bose bass speakers mounted in the same but modified door housings, complete with tweeters, and the sound now is MUCH improved.. the bass will rattle yout brain, now..
looked like one of the original bass speakers had gotten wet sometime in the past and i must say the bose speakers were much cheaper than the $50 a pair new speakers..

now all i need do is install the thing..

01BlackE320

If you got it from crutchfield I assume you got the installation kit. I think it comes free and had a the right wiring adapter. The only complaint my wife has with that radio is tiny buttons for pre sets

bill morrow

did not get it from crutchfield.. came from amazon.. maybe i screwed up..?
there is a plug with pigtails in the box..
is that the install kit..?

otherwise, what install kit..?

01BlackE320

Crutchfield provides detailed instructions for your specific vehicle and a wiring harness adapter that basically makes it plug and play. You'll definitely need that adapter. Do some research and you'll find it. I've heard it called a Volkswagen adapter. I bought mine at a car stereo shop and had them install so can't speak from personal experience but they did it really quick and from what I've read here it's quite easy with the adapter. I've bought other stuff from Crutchfield though and their install kits for specific vehicles are awesome

bill morrow

that is essentially what i did..
got the two adapters (plug and antenna) and paid a stereo shop to do it..
result: happy wife, happy life.. the $60 was cheap for getting it done NOW..

01BlackE320

Big improvement right?

2ez

I just ordered the set-up with sirus-xm today... I'll let you know how it goes.

2ez

I went to Crutchfield and got the Kenwood KDC-X599 with SirusXM and Steering wheel Control AXXESS ASWC-1. It does sound good and I like the new features.

My installed couldn't get the Steering Wheel control to work after several calls to very friendly and trying to be helpful tech support at Axxess. ( 2000 E430. )
My controls worked fine before, and Crutchfield even set a new SWC just to make sure it wasn't the adapter.

Any Ideas?

Also the head unit LED is too dim to be seen in normal daylight.

I might have chosen a upgrade if to do it over.

01BlackE320

I don't have any problem with the brightness. I wonder if it's a setting. I never tried to get steering controls to work so can't comment there