shortbear

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!

Buellwinkle

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.

le848dave

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

toki999

hey i was looking for ur post about installation.........and i just can't find it.....hahah


let me know please......?? *beggin

dave

galaxygrrl

Here is the link.

It's not that bad!

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...eferrerid=1474

toki999

thanx !!!!

le848dave

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

toki999

how long does autoclass.net to deliver?

it's ground by fedex?










can't wait!!!!! i forgot how CD sounded like.......argh~!

RedC230K

Have you ever done one?
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.

galaxygrrl

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.

le848dave

Redc230k, I've done it twice...took about an hour total, including running to the Mercedes dealer after putting the dash back together. (Forgot to buy the new cable)

dave

RedC230K

In any event, it's not a job for beginners. I wouldn't call it easy by any means.

le848dave

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

RedC230K

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.

toki999

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

Buellwinkle

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.

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

Buellwinkle

I bought mine in August so it's an old one. I only have a Torx 15 screwdriver so I lucked out I guess.

le848dave

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