G'day from downunder to all you audio gurus,
I've read all your informative posts with great interest - thank you very much. I've searched the web but there are still a few pieces missing from my sterreo puzzle.
Firstly, what have I got?
Australian delivered W124 1991 LHD 300TE
Becker Grand Prix radio cassette
2 front speakers in dash 4.75in (120cm)
2 rear speakers in rear doors 4in (100cm)
front/rear fader switch in centre console next to power window buttons
power antenna
A lot of other posts on this site and elsewhere refer to different W124 models with different original stereo installations. In particular my car 300TE station wagon has only 4 speakers, not 6 and the rear speakers are mounted in the rear doors NOT the rear parcel shelf. The rear speakers are even smaller than the front speakers. Don't ask me what they sound like. I can barely hear them with the volume turned all the way up and the fader switched all the way to the back!
I would like to tackle the job myself, but I don't have a phd in electrical engineering and I don't want to take to the interior with a chainsaw.
I figure the Becker, speakers and fader have to go but would like to keep the power antenna and reuse the wiring where possible.
I've read the excellent instructions from mercedes shop on removing W124 stereo.
I tried the poor man's upgrade but the Becker ate the cassette thingy you plug in to play your discman/mp3 player. Good job too because the quality of the cassette adapter plus my rear speakers would probably have been an audio downgrade.
I've heard bad reports about FM transmitters.

So, what are my options?

My taste in music is stuck in the 60s if that makes any difference.
I listen to the radio a lot.
I would like to play CDs, MP3s and be able to plug in an ipod or other MP3 player.
The system only needs to provide music to the occupants of the car, not the entire population of the greater metropolitan area like some of the systems I hear/feel next to me on the street.
Has anyone come up with a good replacement so for those tiddly rear speakers?
Any recommendations or advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

What you probably need to do is first get rid of that outdated head unit and get an aftermarket one or if you want something that looks oem, then look into ebay for some beacker headunits. Most of the aftermarkets can come with mp3/aac/wma and other stuff like satellite radio and auxiliary input. You should probably bypass the fader switch since it limits the amount of watts each speaker gets, as ive been told. Then just get some 4" speakers up front or 12cm if you can find them. and 4" also for the back. Most speakers dont' matter as far as name brand or wattage. As long as they aren't made of paper like the old ones were then you should be fine. I have Pioneers in my 300e and it sounds just fine. I also only have 4 speakers in my car. As for instructions I don't know as my friend did it. This topic has been discussed numerous times and you can probably find your answers through the search feature. Oh and you would probably want some bass so just add a 10" sub in the back if you want.