irvinec32

with a little bit of help from buelwinkle (thanks carl) i was able to install my mp3 cd changer. now i have the stock 6 disc changer and a 10 disc mp3/cd changer. this is an rf one, so it hooks up to your antennae and you don't lose anything but a little space.

irvinec32

i thought i would lose my sunglasses holder (yes i know about the one in the glove compartment), but i found that if you remove the ash tray, there is plenty of room for glasses.

irvinec32

the bad part is that it is not amber. but that is ok.

irvinec32

trunk mount

Harris

Hey, irvineC32....that looks really cool!

But one question....how come you only put pennies in your ash tray? Pennies should be in your piggy bank! Quarters are what should be there!!

bajaiman

How's the sound quality of the rf cd changer compared to factory CD changer?? ... I would've thought that the sound quality would be worse than factory CD changer since you connect it to your antennae receiver... is this true??

irvinec32

harris,

i only have pennies left after the changer

bajaiman,

the quality of mp3 is a little lower than the regular cd audios to begin with. as for using audio cd's, to be honest, my ears can't hear the difference. maybe people with sharper ears can tell the difference, but i surely can't

i guess that is good and bad.

but of course, in theory and practice, the quality of a fiber or copper line is going to be better.

Harris

As far as I know, a RF CD changer will have more distortion. But like irvineC32 have said, people with less senstitive ears cannot hear the difference. Unfortunately, I can. :p

kompress

This is exactly the install I was considering. It even looks like the same Xplod unit! Anything overly tricky about it? Do you have printed instructions you followed that you could point me to?

I was looking at the changer in Crutchfield. Did you buy there? My wife has been suggesting the factory chager, but I want the MP3 capability. And the price is about $300, if I am not mistaken.

Anybody know if I could mount this in the glovebox (like the location of the factory unit)?

Thanks

irvinec32

nothing real tricky about it. if you do a search, session has a detailed removal instructions when he installed audio 10.

you will need to buy some antennae converters. circuit city has them for $12 each. you need 2. the reason is that mercedes uses a different antennae jack than the standard ones

yeah i think it is about $280 at crutchfield. i think it is the same price at good guys online, expect there is no shipping or tax

no, it will not fit in the glove compartment. it is WAY too big.

PM me if you need more detailed advice. i'm in orange county if you are near by.

Blueice

hmm i wonder if i can do this to sony MEX-5DI http://sm.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-...MEX5DI&o=m&a=0

irvinec32

can't really do the same thing, since that appears to be a receiver.
there is no rf output.

i am certain you can hook it up to your car, but you will lose your steering wheel controls.

Blueice

darn! love the look of that thing =(

Buellwinkle

Wow, 6 CD changer + 10 CD MP3. Didn't take you long to get it installed since I last saw ya. Looks like a clean install.

bagwell

also rattles like crazy....unless the tunes are up!

me personally - I'd rather hear the V6 Kompressor humming !!

kompress

Thanks for the offer. I'm in NJ, kind of a hike from you. But if I can come up with a good place to mount it (I have a coupe), I will likely pull the trigger soon. I will certainly take you up on your offer for more detail, if/when I have questions.

Thanks!

irvinec32

kompress,

i am doing the same install on a c coupe this weekend. i will take some pictures for you. yes, finding a good spot for the changer is a little more difficult on the coupe. i will see what i come up with.

irvinec32

bagwell,

yes, the change does seem to rattle a bit more without the ash tray. oh well, pennies won't get me very far anyway!!

irvinec32

buell,

thanks again, i would have taken me forever to figure out how to take the panels off. after that, it was smooth sailing.

irvinec32

here is what i did for the coupe.

i just used velcro to hold it in place. 2 strips on the back and 1 strip on the bottom. since i used velcro, you can still easily get to the first aid and fuse compartment.

i think it worked out well.

kompress

Looks nice!

Stupid question: How did you run the wires to the front of the car without them showing?

irvinec32

stuff them under the railing. next time you go to your car, just pry the plastic out a little bit. you will notice that it would be quite easy to put the wires underneath. run it to your back seat.
pull the seat down and put in underneath the trims.

a lot easier than you might think.

good luck