installing the CD changer yourself
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Saint Louis, MO
installing the CD changer yourself
has anyone tried installing the Mercedes CD changer themselves? is it difficult? do you need any special tools?
also I am thinking of buying the CD changer from Performanceproducts.com but I noticed they don't sell the fiber optic cable. Instead they only sell the bracket installation kit. Does this come with the fiber optic cable?
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has had experience with this. Thanks!
also I am thinking of buying the CD changer from Performanceproducts.com but I noticed they don't sell the fiber optic cable. Instead they only sell the bracket installation kit. Does this come with the fiber optic cable?
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has had experience with this. Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Search around and you'll find CD changer installation instructions. The hardest part is getting the radio out. You need the fiber cable and it's about $20 at the MB dealer. According to some the bracket is optional and you can use velcro to hold it in, mine has the bracket because it was only $20 before the price went up. It's not going anywhere when the glove box door is closed. Make sure the changer is made for the W203 and not other MBs as there are differences. The correct part number can be found at autoclass.net.
Also you may want to consider the MB Audio 10 radio with the built in CD player. It sounds way better than the cassette radio and you can still get a CD changer. Search the forum for that as several people already went that route.
Also you may want to consider the MB Audio 10 radio with the built in CD player. It sounds way better than the cassette radio and you can still get a CD changer. Search the forum for that as several people already went that route.
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From: Rochester, MI
see my post
See my post on advice needed on CD Changer. It took about 20 minutes, you need a Torx #20 screwdriver and a regular screwdriver. Jim posted exactly how to do everything, and it really is easy. Saved myself $800 from what the dealer wanted.
dave
dave
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From: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
Almost a Member!
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From: Rochester, MI
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...&threadid=9545
here is a link to what Jim posted regarding removing the facia in the c230k coupe...was a piece of cake!
dave
here is a link to what Jim posted regarding removing the facia in the c230k coupe...was a piece of cake!
dave
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Illinois
'04 Mars Red C230K 6 sp.
Originally posted by le848dave
...was a piece of cake!
dave [/B]
...was a piece of cake!
dave [/B]
NOT a piece of cake. It's a difficult process and requires a lot of time and patience. I did it because I am pretty skilled at that sort of thing. It was still a huge pain in the ***.... getting those vents out and getting the lover console clips released.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
They're in FL, but it was pretty fast shipping, like 4 or 5 days in CA. Think it was UPS ground (??), but I'm sure you could pay for 2 or 3 day.
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From: Rochester, MI
I would still stand by my earlier statement. Obviously, if you can't deal with the fact that you don't trust yourself with a screwdriver, then by all means, don't do it. But it is not that difficult...only four screws, size #20 torx, and two clips that you need to flip with a flat bladed screwdriver. Other than that it's unplug a wire, punch out the pre-scored opening, plug in new wire, attach brackets or velcro and put it all back together...and it makes you feel pretty good to save between 400 and 1000 dollars over all.
dave
dave
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 280
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From: Illinois
'04 Mars Red C230K 6 sp.
I trust myself with a screwdriver very much.... there are very few procedures on a car that I have not done myself - especially with Porsches.
It is a straightforward operation for a pretty mechanically inclined person. The average person may find it challenging, partially because the instructions are not as clear as they could be.
It is a straightforward operation for a pretty mechanically inclined person. The average person may find it challenging, partially because the instructions are not as clear as they could be.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Glendale, CA
C230 Kompressor Sports Sedan
im also trying to use velcro when installing the changer.
it is a clever idea and im sure velcro should hold the changer tight....besides coupe has nice rides, it won't skip that much..=)
thanx.....i'm just waiting for my changer to come next week =)
oh..Go Korea~!!!
soccer fever is on baby~!
dave
it is a clever idea and im sure velcro should hold the changer tight....besides coupe has nice rides, it won't skip that much..=)
thanx.....i'm just waiting for my changer to come next week =)
oh..Go Korea~!!!
soccer fever is on baby~!
dave
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
They don't rip you off on shipping. I paid about $15 more for UPS second day over ground and got it in 2 days.
The toughest part of the job is getting the vents out. It's easier to talk about it than to do it. I broke my vents doing it and luckily the dealer replaced it under warranttee. I think the toughest part of removing the vents is knowing that you have to pull down on the inside clips on the top part of the vent just behind the louvers while tugging at it a little bit at a time. I don't know about anyone elses car but mine had Torx #15 screws in the vents.
The toughest part of the job is getting the vents out. It's easier to talk about it than to do it. I broke my vents doing it and luckily the dealer replaced it under warranttee. I think the toughest part of removing the vents is knowing that you have to pull down on the inside clips on the top part of the vent just behind the louvers while tugging at it a little bit at a time. I don't know about anyone elses car but mine had Torx #15 screws in the vents.
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Originally posted by le848dave
Buell, when was yours manufactured? Mine was all #20 torx...03/02 was the manufacture date....maybe they changed them from the earlier cars?
dave
Buell, when was yours manufactured? Mine was all #20 torx...03/02 was the manufacture date....maybe they changed them from the earlier cars?
dave
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Rochester, MI
The only problem I had was that I have a torx bit set which was too big to fit between the gaps in the vents...luckily I found an old torx screwdrive that I had lying around and lo and behold, it was a #20 so it fit perfectly.
dave
dave
