Robert ...RAB

MBUSA has just announced the introduction of a factory-installed CD Changer option for select MY03 passenger cars. MSRP will be $400 and is available on all C-/CLK-/S-/SLK-Classes and E-Class Wagon (S210). Code 819 is the option. …RAB

Buellwinkle

That will hurt Autoclass CD changer sales, not to mention all those $1,000 dealer add ons. I wonder if the dealers will order them without on purpose to tack on the $1,000 bonus they currrently enjoy. I'm sooo cynical.

Robert ...RAB

You said it, I didn't. ...RAB

lovin_my_C230K

MB CD Player/Changer info

It makes little difference to me. I have the Audio 10 . And Yes, it does sound that much better than the stock stereo.

-Eric

chronopassion

If you read that press release, it appears the $400 changer will be available as a factory installed option as well as an aftermarket addition. So, the days of $1000 changers are quickly coming to an end. In fact, even the press release has some info for the dealers to calm their fears about not being able to make $1000 per changer.

So, for me, this is good news. I can get the changer I wanted for a much more digestable charge. Not worth buying an Audio 10 or anything else in my mind.

Best regards,

CP

viper

I am sure the dealers will find some other way to make a fast buck. The administration fee that some charge will probably be higher and no more freebies will be available.

DCX Engineer

Why don't they dip into the parts bin and find a multi-disc indash CD changer like many cars have. 3 or 4 disc would be nice.

ootw

Do you know if the changer is in-dash or glove box mount?

Robert ...RAB

Soon to be available on the new E-Class. ...RAB

Robert ...RAB

For the C-Class it will be the current Glove-Box variety. ...RAB

toki999

i have ordered changer from autoclass.net

should i cancel and wait till the price drop??

hm....

Robert ...RAB

I do not expect the after-market price to change. The factory OEM part number is for a future ordered car, hence the lower price. It's just like the NAV CD Collection, if you get it via a factory order it's 1/3 the parts department price.

I don't expect Autoclass.net to lower their retail price, either, as their net margin is already very low. ...RAB

chronopassion

I really do not suspect that any local dealer will be able to charge much more than the $400 that the option will cost on a new car for the changer. The reason that some dealers charge $800 to $1000 right now for the changer is because MBUSA charges them approx $500 for the unit if I heard this correctly. So, if the retail charge for the changer is supposed to be $400, MBUSA will be selling them the part for probably $200.

So, in my opinion, I think you will be able to pick one up for basically the same $400 that one built with the car will cost.

Best regards,

CP

RedC230K

If a service part is $400, dealer cost is probably closer to about $340.

chronopassion

Hi,

"If a service part is $400, dealer cost is probably closer to about $340."

I am not sure if that is necessarily true in the case of stereos. We do know that the current changer costs the dealer approx $500 which they mark up to $800 to $1000. So, if the same percentages play out for the new changer, the cost is probably closer to $200 than $340. Also, when one can buy a CD changer at BestBuy for $120 to $170, there is a limit to what even MBUSA can charge their dealers.

The press release does seem to address those points. Again, I doubt a changer added to a 2002, for example, will cost you anything greater than $400 to $500. My local dealer offered to put in a changer from MB that I was going to buy from eBay for $70. So, even if they charge full retail ($400) plus installation, we are still under $500. That I can handle.

Best regards,

CP

RedC230K

CP,
I'm a former M-B employee and therefore, I know whereof I speak.
The variable here has always been the installation cost. CD changers used to be $595 retail and dealer cost was a little over $500. The $800 and $1,000 figures come about when the dealer adds "installation charges" to that. Believe it or not, there is not very much markup in parts on the dealer's end of things.

Also, MB can charge dealers whatever they want for parts and accessories and the dealer is SOL. The S-class brochures cost the dealer $5 each. That big yellow "C" sign you see in showrooms was almost $500 and every dealer was forced to purchase one.

MB is the one who is getting rich. The dealer is trying to make it up by gouging people for installs.

chronopassion

RedC230,

Thanks for the info. Hopefully, my local dealer will be on the cheaper side. We shall see.

Best regards,

CP

Lynn

My stealer charges $775 for a changer they admit costs them $525. That is over 46% markup. In addition they, charge 2.5 hours labor at $91/hour for installation. So they are charging $227 for an intallation which takes an experienced 20 minutes. Then they have the gall to tell customer that the normal price is $1200 installed. After paying the tech, they're making over $400 on the changer and installation. Does anyone wonder why the dealer are unhappy with this change?

To top it all off, the exact same Alpine changer with AI-net instead of D2B costs $199.99 installed at a couple of the big box electronics stores nearby.

RedC230K

Have you guys considered getting one from Autoclass.net for $450 and installing them yourselves? It's a little tricky, but it can be done. That's what I did.
My dealer wanted $595 plus $150 for install - which is not bad. I think its a $750 option if you have it "factory" installed. (They do it at port, actually). I'd have to look again.
Good luck to you either way. If you get stuck during an install, many folks here can help you out, including me.

Buellwinkle

I got the Audio 10 CD and the CD Changer. It sounds so good in my coupe that someone with a C320 and 10 speaker Bose though it sound better than his.

mdp c230k

Yeah, there are people that like the Bose table radio too. Everyones ears are different!

Cost on the MY2003 Cd changer is $348 according the a recent factory listing.

Richard

Well, us Europeans have either had to order the CD changer from the factory, or basically, not at all.

Our cars arent pre-wired with the fibre/power looms to the trunk, and retrofitting those is a nightmare ..

Of course. the C class glovebox install is easy to retrofit those looms.

I imagine that next year MB USA will stop having the CD changer as dealer fit (by not pre-installing that part of the fibre loom), it will be factory or nothing. Then the dealers can charge $1000 in labour to install on cars without factory fit :-)


BTW. same is true for phones here, they are all Nokia and all factory fitted.And they are a pain to retrofit [with the exception of the ML that has some of the wiring pre-installed, but I guess thats because its built in the US]

WebGuyNJ

IMHO, the Audio 10 is still a superior head unit for overall sound. Plus the convenience of playing a CD without a cartridge cannot be overlooked.

MB-BOB

I have heard the Audio 10 in the Coupe... IMO, no big shakes. The Bose system in my C320 is far superior. Again, IMO.

Having used both cartridge type and in-dash single CD's, I much prefer the cartridge units... Load it up in the morning. Play it all day. No need to change discs, a big safety issue with me. Access to the changer in the trunk area would not be good, but access in the glove box is just fine.

DCX Engineer

The Audio 10 CD rocks!