IMO, the factory sound in the new CLK is wimpy, especially for a $60 car. 'Love the car overall, but I won't buy it if I have to sacrifice good tunes. I would purchase an upgraded stereo, if MB only offered one. So now I'm thinking, let's just buy the car and replace the factory stereo.

While at Car Toys yesterday, I spoke with an installation specialist about replacing the factory sound. He told me that the CLK's fiber-optic network could make replacement impractical, due to the unknown impact of removing devices like the existing head unit.

I figured someone on this forum would know more about it. Can anyone tell me whether there are any issues I need to worry about in replacing a factory stereo with MB's FO network?

Thanks for posting whatever you know on this subject!

 

I just added 12in subs,1000w amp, that was no problem,but as far as changing the radio,major headache. The technician told me youll lose all controls on steering wheel,and by pulling the radio,you could short out the mercedes amp that runs everything.Other places told me they wouldnt even touch my car. They said the car would have to be re-wired cause of the fiberoptics . So i decided against all of that. Good luck ,maybe there is someone out there who can do it.

 

i don't think changing out the headunit is going to be such a headache.

I'm putting an Alpine unit into my '02 CLK next week. No problems expected.

You should check out a good, reputable place to get this done.

Here are the cons:
- No more radio controls on the steering wheel
- Can't use the factory fiber optic changer
- Can't use the factory fiber optic bose amp

Pros:
- UNLIMITED

If you are comfortable with electronics, then go ahead and do this yourself. People just get scared of the unknown.