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.

Rick

Go back to the dealer. You'll have a difficult (if not impossible) time finding a changre that will interface with the fiber optics in your car, and even when you do, you still wont have functional steering wheel controls for it.

Pffelan

DEFO GO TO THE DEALER...NOT WORTH THE HASSLE ANY OTHER WAY....

young

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.

Buellwinkle

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?

russ9908

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.

Richard

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

young

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...

tommy

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.

H Factor

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!

Pete

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.

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...

Flashman

Interesting. Consumer Reports reported Safeco as their highest rated civilian (there was a higher rated one for military people only) car insurance in terms of cost, prompt payment, and customer satisfaction.

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

Lynn

Dr. Rodriguez, paging Dr. Rodriguez.

Rick

Ok.....THAT made me laugh![COLOR=royalblue][I]

Flashman

Anyone installed this? I know the unit works good (I've heard it before on a Miata), but I'm curious how well it fits and/or looks in the C230.

Rick

mmutlu

How much does it cost overall anyway? -cables, install kit, etc-

Curt Burkhart

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.

Flashman

Has anyone actually installed this CD player? Looks like it would fit nicely under the stereo, if you use the plastic tray piece and have it cut to fit around the cd-player. I'd love to see a picture of an installed one. Personally, this would really work better for my driving cd/changing style than a CD changer in the glovebox.

Rick

russ9908

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.

bagwell

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 !

dave

i got the Dealer to throw the cd changer and installition in at no charge to me


Obsidian Black ,auto c5 c7 cd changer


OBSIDIAN BLACK RULES THE EARTH

russ9908

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.

chucho

I have just received my CD Changer from autoclass and I'm going to give it a shot and install it my self. It came with directions and how's.

MBSang

I just order thru autoclass. And my dealer told me they gonna charge 2 hrs of labor. let me know, how is your DIY works.

Thanks in advance,