maho1975

hello all, I have just pulled out my factory stereo.thank god !! it took me 20 min to pull that thing out with my swissblade knife. anyways I want to install an aftermarket stereo I am thinking sony would be good. I need a wiring harness to install that stereo. please take a look at the pic. tell me what you think. I have '95 c220.thanks

michakaveli

VW harness. Metra 1871 and the antenna 40-VW-10 adaptor

tooolman

i am curious as to how you got the stero head unit out, tryed but failed (was trying to undo screws under wood trim but then the trim would not move) so bought a ipod with fm sender, as radio is a import and can't get local station's,

maho1975

it is so easy. take a look at the pictures. I used a swissblade knife to pull it out. then get the harness from best buy with the antenna adapter. I paid $25 for both. I ll let you guys know when I install my stereo. thanks

tooolman

cheers for that

94benZo

Did u need any housing adapter for that?? how did u install the new one in?? u have some pics??
thanks

:ridin!:

maho1975

new stereo installed, looks and sounds great no adapter needed ,take a look at the pic

c280rookie

Good Job Maho,

Do you have a Bose system? Just changing the head unit improved the sound? I am thinking of replacing my head unit, but am not sure if the Bose system will improve much. Did you change speakers too?

Thanks

JOESID

I recently purchased my C230 a month ago. It had the stock sound system with no CD. I added and Alpine HU to obtain a CD Player and iPod integration. I was not expecting much of a sound improvement. Overall I was not too impressed with the stock system. I had almost NO base responce. After adding the new headunit I can confirm that it sounds awesome!!! I have the stock speakers. The sound quality is drastically improved. It is really worth it.

c280rookie

Thanks for the tip Joesid!

Soon I will get an aftermarket headunit. May I ask, which Alpine HU did you get?

davis449

Funny thing, I installed my Sony deck in my 1995 C 280, when I had it, using a Hi Lo converter and it sounded horrible with the Bose. I mean at low volume it was ok but when you turned it up, and not blasting either, it sounded horrbile. Now in my new car I have a Blaupunkt Monterrey MP35 directly hooked up to my stock Bose (only an antenna adapter needed) and it sounds phenominal, even turned up. No static, no bass cut, sounds like I have subs in the back. Crazy stuff.

c280rookie

Davis,

Hmmm...you got me thinkin there. Is it a good idea to have that Hi-Lo converter ready, in case the head unit yields unsatisfactory results?
Where can you get that? And around how much do they run?

Thanks

JOESID

Here is what I have.....



It's the Alpine CDA-9847 and I got it from Best Buy. I picked it up on sale for about $185 I think. It sounds great in my opinion. I'm still adjusting to the looks, I wanted to keep the stock look, but that wasnt really possible.

c280rookie

Thanks for the pic Joesid.

You have the Ipod interface, too? If so, was that hard to install?

JOESID

Yeah I have the iPod interface!!!! It is so cool!!! . All you do is plug a cable into the back of the HU that goes into this box-like thing that controls the iPod. That fits perfectly under/behind the headunit. I routed the cable into my glovebox via dremel-ed hole. That took about 10 min!! I really recommend this upgrade!!

c280rookie

Thanks Joesid,

One more question, did you use the VW Metra 1871 harness?
Where did you get yours? I checked with Crutchfield, and they told me they don't have a specific wiring harness for my C.

Michakaveli, what model year of VW vehicles does that Metra harness cover?

Thanks

JOESID

No prob. I wasn't familiar with harness or sterer installation so I had Best Buy install mine. They charged me $25 for the harness and $60 labor. I'm glad I had them do it, I really would not have been comfortable. If you have any more questions feel free to ask. -Joe

c280rookie

Thanks Joesid,

So, you only got the harness? Looks easy. Well, I am no expert in audio installation but I will give it a shot.

Hope it works out.

JOESID

ahhhhhh I'm confused now haha.
"so you only got the harness"
I had them do the installation.

I found the receipt in my desk. The harness was $18.50, and the 'adapter' was $11.50. Don't ask me what the adapter is. The basic installation for an HU is $49.99. They had to make the harness there and then, it wasnt some prebuilt thing. Did I answer your question? Really, feel free to ask any more questions.

KABI

does anyone know why me aftermarket HU keeps resetting after i turn it off the car.

tpliquid

now u ahve cd player get rid of that tape holder