How to replace Bose head unit?? (99 E320)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, NY
2006 CLK 500 Cabrio
How to replace Bose head unit?? (99 E320)
I've been to 4 installers in the area and not one is familiar with the fact that the Becker head unit is separate from the Bose system and can be replaced.
Does anyone know the details of what I need to tell these morons to get them to install my aftermarket?
I need to know a few important things:
How does the stock Becker attach to the Bose amp? Is it just RCA's or will I be cutting wires? If it is just RCA's, do I still need a line level converter if I buy a new head unit with RCA line outs?
Does the install require a lot of over the top dash removal-type labor or is it a pretty simple slide-in install?
If anyone can help with this it would be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance!!
Does anyone know the details of what I need to tell these morons to get them to install my aftermarket?
I need to know a few important things:
How does the stock Becker attach to the Bose amp? Is it just RCA's or will I be cutting wires? If it is just RCA's, do I still need a line level converter if I buy a new head unit with RCA line outs?
Does the install require a lot of over the top dash removal-type labor or is it a pretty simple slide-in install?
If anyone can help with this it would be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance!!
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Grants Pass, OR
1996 S 420
I'm not an expert at this but this is what I think:
The radio in your '99 E Class has four channels output; two front, two rear. They are speaker-level outputs, approx 20 watts each that feed the amp.
If your new head unit has low-level outputs (RCA), then I don't know how to connect it to the stock amp. (Maybe someone else can help) But it sounds like you'd be cutting into the harness or running new wires. Also, with a new head unit you may lose some other features...phone mute, CD changer control, etc.
Pulling a head unit is too easy, but you do need the correct tool. Find them on ebay. Here's one:
Removal key
What kind of head unit are your wanting to install?
The radio in your '99 E Class has four channels output; two front, two rear. They are speaker-level outputs, approx 20 watts each that feed the amp.
If your new head unit has low-level outputs (RCA), then I don't know how to connect it to the stock amp. (Maybe someone else can help) But it sounds like you'd be cutting into the harness or running new wires. Also, with a new head unit you may lose some other features...phone mute, CD changer control, etc.
Pulling a head unit is too easy, but you do need the correct tool. Find them on ebay. Here's one:
Removal key
What kind of head unit are your wanting to install?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, NY
2006 CLK 500 Cabrio
I will be installing an Alpine CDA-9811 cd player that also plays MP3/WMA discs.
I don't use the phone and don't have a changer so I won't be losing either of those functions. Being able to play MP3 & WMA will be almost like having a changer - I can put about 10 CD's worth of songs on a single CD at the highest quality MP3/WMA compression.
I don't use the phone and don't have a changer so I won't be losing either of those functions. Being able to play MP3 & WMA will be almost like having a changer - I can put about 10 CD's worth of songs on a single CD at the highest quality MP3/WMA compression.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: LI, New York
87 190E 2.6/1995 M3
the radio can be removed using the two becker tools... then you unplug it and wire the alpine deck using an adaptor harness that can be purchased from circuit city etc (it's the same one one for VW/Audi).... you also need an antenna adaptor... the stock radio sends speaker level imputs to the amp, plus fiber optic signal output to the cd changer... swapping the stock radio is very common, I don't understand why your local shops are having such difficulty with it...
the alpine is a fine choise, but also if you want factory look for about $500 you can get a becker Monza mp3 player, that is plug and play for mercedes...
the alpine is a fine choise, but also if you want factory look for about $500 you can get a becker Monza mp3 player, that is plug and play for mercedes...
Last edited by vas2vas; Mar 10, 2004 at 11:55 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Grants Pass, OR
1996 S 420
Wires. This is what the plug looks like. Mercedes ISO plug
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, NY
2006 CLK 500 Cabrio
Thanks everyone for all your help.
The install went okay. I now have a nice Alpine CDA-9811 that plays MP3/WMA. It is almost like having a 10-disc changer right in the dash. I play 192k compressed WMAs and they sound great and I can fit about 120 songs on a CD-ROM.
This unit has a 2 band parametric EQ and I have been able to adjust it so it sounds pretty good. I just didn't want to spend over $1000 for a full system and rewiring, etc... so I opted to start with just the head unit. I am satisfied with the system as it is now.
I don't think I'm going to keep this car forever, so this isn't the one I'm going to spend crazy money on a stereo. Maybe when I get an S-Class someday.
The install went okay. I now have a nice Alpine CDA-9811 that plays MP3/WMA. It is almost like having a 10-disc changer right in the dash. I play 192k compressed WMAs and they sound great and I can fit about 120 songs on a CD-ROM.
This unit has a 2 band parametric EQ and I have been able to adjust it so it sounds pretty good. I just didn't want to spend over $1000 for a full system and rewiring, etc... so I opted to start with just the head unit. I am satisfied with the system as it is now.
I don't think I'm going to keep this car forever, so this isn't the one I'm going to spend crazy money on a stereo. Maybe when I get an S-Class someday.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, SC
E300
I had a friend at Circuit while working with him grab a pair of RCA's, plug one end to the connections coming out of the radio, and cutting the plugs off the other end and splicing them to the speaker leads. Makes sense considering the car usually is amplified.
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