'02 C230 CD Changer
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Chicago
2002 C230
'02 C230 CD Changer
Just purchased my first MB and love it. However, have since changed my mind about having a CD changer. Does anyone know of an aftermarket CD changer compatible with the C230 and a dealer in the Chicago area? Could always go back to the dealer I suppose, but want to exhaust all options first. Thanks.
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From: Central NJ
C230K Coupe/Orion/C4/C5/CD/AMG Spoiler/V60/TeleAid, 2 MGB's
Re: '02 C230 CD Changer
Originally posted by russ9908
Just purchased my first MB and love it. However, have since changed my mind about having a CD changer. Does anyone know of an aftermarket CD changer compatible with the C230 and a dealer in the Chicago area? Could always go back to the dealer I suppose, but want to exhaust all options first. Thanks.
Just purchased my first MB and love it. However, have since changed my mind about having a CD changer. Does anyone know of an aftermarket CD changer compatible with the C230 and a dealer in the Chicago area? Could always go back to the dealer I suppose, but want to exhaust all options first. Thanks.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Earth
GLB 250 4matic
try to get a good deal on the MB changer. i paid about $440 for the changer, bose cable & mounting bracket at autoclass.net. went to dealer for the install - +$130 more. others have done better.
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
I know how a few of you think. You want an aftermarket changer to punish MB for not putting in the in-dash CD that's available in Europe. Yes, there is one aftermarket fiber optic db2 compatible CD changer that will work, the Becker 2662. It's a little cheaper than the MB unit from Autoclass.net and I think you'll be able to find it for about $350 but you'll need to make a custom bracket as the MB one won't work. Try the Becker board for some help with that at www.beckerautosound.com. It certainly makes a statement, I just haven't figured out what that statement is yet.
You can go RF but that depends on how much sound quality means to you as well as an FM preset, the steering wheel controls, the radio controls and the dash display mean to you. Not to mention the ugly remote you'll have to mount somewhere and the universal mounting bracket that goes in your already limited hatch area.
Have you considered going to a UK or Italian dealer and buying the In-Dash CD MB radio?
You can go RF but that depends on how much sound quality means to you as well as an FM preset, the steering wheel controls, the radio controls and the dash display mean to you. Not to mention the ugly remote you'll have to mount somewhere and the universal mounting bracket that goes in your already limited hatch area.
Have you considered going to a UK or Italian dealer and buying the In-Dash CD MB radio?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Chicago
2002 C230
autoclass has the OEM changer #203-820-9089 for $399. Seems to be the best route to go. Just can't see paying the dealer $1000 for the changer and installation. They assure me it will work just as if the factory installed it. IF anyone knows of a lower priced dealer, PLEASE let us all know.
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From: Berkshire, UK
2004 SL55, 2015 A250d, 2016 GLC250d
Dont buy the European radio - the frequency spacing and other stuff is different in Europe to USA (so FM stations will be missing and AM reception will sound tinny)
- Some of the becker stuff can be set for different countries from a hidden menu, (trawl thru the becker board at www.beckerautosound.com for more info), but I dont recall seeing that for the Audio10/30 series stuff that MB uses in Europe
- R
- Some of the becker stuff can be set for different countries from a hidden menu, (trawl thru the becker board at www.beckerautosound.com for more info), but I dont recall seeing that for the Audio10/30 series stuff that MB uses in Europe
- R
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Earth
GLB 250 4matic
mb-bob,
its just a matter of preference/listening patterns. i like to make a lot of my own cds (from all those cds that i bought w/ only 1 good song
) and i don't really sit in the car for more than an hour or so. so i don't need a bunch of cds, just one i can just pop in & out.
i know; its not too much effort to reach over and open the glove compartment, slide the cover over, push the button, wait for it the cartridge to pop out, pull out one of the little trays (which i know i'll break one of these days) take out the cd, put the new cd in, push the cartridge back in, slide the cover back, close the glove compartment, and press the number of the cd to play. what can i say, i'm really really lazy... i don't even want to finish this sente...
its just a matter of preference/listening patterns. i like to make a lot of my own cds (from all those cds that i bought w/ only 1 good song
) and i don't really sit in the car for more than an hour or so. so i don't need a bunch of cds, just one i can just pop in & out.i know; its not too much effort to reach over and open the glove compartment, slide the cover over, push the button, wait for it the cartridge to pop out, pull out one of the little trays (which i know i'll break one of these days) take out the cd, put the new cd in, push the cartridge back in, slide the cover back, close the glove compartment, and press the number of the cd to play. what can i say, i'm really really lazy... i don't even want to finish this sente...
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
MB-BOB, apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?
Is your daughter blonde?
I must be getting old - I agree with you on the safety issue. Even scarier - I agree with you about the painted side markers as well. I'll take it a step further - I think that there should be a film in the interior of cars to make it such that cellular phones can't be used inside of any car.
Any active distraction should be minimalized in all cars, imho.
As far as the subject of this post is concerned, I'm with the majority on this: get the best deal that you can at all of your local dealers, and go with that. No headaches, and the bump in price from an autoclass setup with installation isn't that much.
I must be getting old - I agree with you on the safety issue. Even scarier - I agree with you about the painted side markers as well. I'll take it a step further - I think that there should be a film in the interior of cars to make it such that cellular phones can't be used inside of any car.
Any active distraction should be minimalized in all cars, imho.
As far as the subject of this post is concerned, I'm with the majority on this: get the best deal that you can at all of your local dealers, and go with that. No headaches, and the bump in price from an autoclass setup with installation isn't that much.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4
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From: Arlington, MA
Honda
So IS there a CD Player you CAN install?
So friends.... is there a CD player...vs. a CD changer...you can install in the C230? I've read above that you can install the European Mercedes radio/CD combo (which..I THINK,...doesn't have a cassette?). So...where can I get one and how much...and FYI: the USA Mercedes Tech Rep. told me on the phone that the European radio wouldn't work. So anyone know the real deal? All I really want to do is add a CD player under the stock radio!
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Illinois
2007 SL550 Roadster
When I ordered my CD-changer from www.autoclass.net, there was a Mercedes-Benz brochure, inside of the CD-changer box (which was an MB retail box). It had a few different radios in it, and they all _appeared_ to be US versions (though I'm not sure about that). These included: a radio/single-cd unit, a radio/single-cd/text-navigation unit, a radio/single-cassette unit (different than stock), and possibly more. I'll scan the images and post them, this weekend.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
If all you want to do is add a CD player under the radio then there is a solution. the Sony CDX-1000RF Single-disc add-on FM modulated CD player. It fits in the din opening under the radio and plugs into the antena hole in the radio. Here's a pic...
Super Member
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
Re: No, tommy my daughter isn't blonde...
Originally posted by MB-BOB
Anyway, needless to say, I CANNOT Recommend...
SAFECO Insurance Co.
Anyway, needless to say, I CANNOT Recommend...
SAFECO Insurance Co.
I have Safeco based on that recommendation, but I've never had a claim. Makes me thing twice though. I do however, pay almost nothing for it.
Rick
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
Originally posted by Buellwinkle
If all you want to do is add a CD player under the radio then there is a solution. the Sony CDX-1000RF Single-disc add-on FM modulated CD player. It fits in the din opening under the radio and plugs into the antena hole in the radio. Here's a pic...
If all you want to do is add a CD player under the radio then there is a solution. the Sony CDX-1000RF Single-disc add-on FM modulated CD player. It fits in the din opening under the radio and plugs into the antena hole in the radio. Here's a pic...
Rick
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 50
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From: New York
C230k coupe
Originally posted by Buellwinkle
If all you want to do is add a CD player under the radio then there is a solution. the Sony CDX-1000RF Single-disc add-on FM modulated CD player. It fits in the din opening under the radio and plugs into the antena hole in the radio. Here's a pic...
If all you want to do is add a CD player under the radio then there is a solution. the Sony CDX-1000RF Single-disc add-on FM modulated CD player. It fits in the din opening under the radio and plugs into the antena hole in the radio. Here's a pic...
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2
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From: Houston, TX
2002 C230K/C1/C5 Brilliant Silver/Charcoal
Re: '02 C230 CD Changer
Anybody had any luck getting hold of the installation documentation mentioned by Forum member, Pete?? I'm thinking of going the www.autoclass.net route, but want to know the installation tips first. If anyone can shed light on doing the install, it will be very much appreciated. Thanks.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 644
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
Originally posted by Buellwinkle
If all you want to do is add a CD player under the radio then there is a solution. the Sony CDX-1000RF Single-disc add-on FM modulated CD player. It fits in the din opening under the radio and plugs into the antena hole in the radio. Here's a pic...
If all you want to do is add a CD player under the radio then there is a solution. the Sony CDX-1000RF Single-disc add-on FM modulated CD player. It fits in the din opening under the radio and plugs into the antena hole in the radio. Here's a pic...
Rick
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Chicago
2002 C230
Had the dealer install my changer this weekend. Glad I went with the MB OEM so that the steering wheel controls work properly. If the car is new enough / low enough mileage, try to talk your dealer into considering the cd changer as an add-on under the 4yr warranty. Took a little urging, but I eventually got it and 4ry warranty sure beats the 1yr that came with the changer. Only set me back $88 for the labour.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Houston,TX-moving to The Woodlands,TX SOON!!!
Toyota Tacoma & Lexus IS250
wow..must be nice...............only $88 to install at MB??
I paid a grand total of $136 to install the changer in a C320.
Could you do me a huge favor ? Scan that receipt where they charged you $88 for the install and email to me ? I'm gonna try to whine about it to my dealer !
THANKS !
I paid a grand total of $136 to install the changer in a C320.
Could you do me a huge favor ? Scan that receipt where they charged you $88 for the install and email to me ? I'm gonna try to whine about it to my dealer !
THANKS !
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 11
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From: Chicago
2002 C230
I have heard that some dealers are adding the CD Changer at no cost when paying MSRP for the car. I got mine for $750 off MSRP so the dealer was not all that inclined to throw a cd changer in as well. Considering I got quotes from other dealers of up to 3 hours labor for installation (I spoke with 4 dealers in the Chicago market), installation seems to be a very soft cost. For those in the No. Illinois area, I can heartily recommend Napleton Auto Werks for sales and service. They even delivered the car to me at the office, some 80 miles from the dealership.
