Just Is

I am growing tired of having to burn CDs anytime I want to listen to new music so I think it is time to upgrade. Trouble is I absolutely hate the looks of aftermarket stereos. I want something that looks stock without a thousand flashing lights and doesn't say Alpine, Panasonic etc etc all over it.
I know I could get the ipod adapter wired in the back of the stock one but that's kind of a last resort. Does anyone have any advice? Perhaps a retrofit of some sort?

pnsji

Are you looking for a unit which can play MP3?

Nakamichi is the closest one to look stock. Here is an example:


You can get CD-300 which can play MP3

Hattabaugh74

I was fortunate enough to have the aux input already in the glovebox. The only downfall is resetting the bass/treb each time you turn the car off. (still havent figured that out?) I'm pretty sure the CLK is prewired and the adapter is @ $45. I saw a thread on here not too long ago. Thats how I found mine. Buy a 6' cable and run it to the center console.

Just Is

Yeah the main thing I want is mp3 capability. Also I should clarify, by stock I dont necessarily mean I want it to look like the one currently in the car. I am looking for anything that would look like it came from the factory. Though I do like the idea of wiring it into the change/ash tray.

pnsji

If it looks OEM, it looks like it came from factory

MarcusF

The first thing you’ll have to decide is single or double. I’m an Alpine guy with a single DIN that reads thumb drives in the ash tray, but GiZzo’s double DIN Pioneer looks fantastic. His Pioneer looks like it belongs in the dash. Whatever head unit you go with, you’ll need a wiring harness adapter, an antenna adapter, a PAC OEM-2 so you can keep the Bose sound quality (don’t let anyone talk you out of it – mine cost $15 and it was money well spent), and a pair of PAC SWI boxes so you can keep the OE steering wheel controls. A head unit swap can be very simple. There are a number of threads that will literally walk you through the upgrade.

kingsley

Marcus is absolutely correct for what I have researched here in the past and stored in my favorite as far as the PAC OEM 2 and PAC SWI boxes are concerned. I currently have the kenwood DNX 7120 double din in my truck and I plan to purchase the DNX 8120 for my benz. it hae all the capabilities you might need

bzliteyear

i recently got a pioneer head unit that includes CD player, remote control, USB jack for ipod play/charge, aux input, AND has built-in bluetooth and microphone...$250 installed. sounds GREAT and better than the factory stereo from 2002 E320 wagon.
PL

SoCalw11w123

i like my new Alpine double-din!

CD/MP3/Ipod/BlueTooth/Sirius satelite and the NAV is built-into the deck (No More Nav disc/DVD)

I have a 99, so no steering wheel controls!

GiZzO

Thanks Marcus

A few buttons, a few lights, and whats lit you can color match it to OEM. I rarely use the screen for GPS or screen to watch movies, double din just looks good. Big upgrade for the interior look.
I also use a thumb drive in the ash tray to hold my music/vid collection or pandora via miniplug. .... Oh im pretty sure since the logo are printed on you could lightly scrape it off if thats your taste.

sljbps

NICE! thats my next mod GiZzO ! looks super clean with a double din

slobodan

Would a factory head unit work from a different year? Installing one from say a 2003 into a 99? I realize you would not have the steering wheel control. Just wondering.

LAWYER2

anymore pics of aftermarket stereo's installed???

GiZzO

Gundo did a nice install with a CF wrap:
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...tall-pics.html

Just Is

that does look really good Gizzo. how much would one of those set me back. just found some new rock chips on my hood that are bare metal. thinkin i will need to attack those before the stereo

catalyst06

I like the look of the double DIN...

malaka14

what about the fiber optics? i have a 99/clk320/cabrio/bose/stock system/fiber optics, and want to keep the entire system except for the head unit.
i would like to do double din like yours, are there any more pictures, insturctions/model numbers/part number you can share?
thanks, bill

GiZzO

Fiber optics is only between the stock headunit and CD changer in the trunk. Id just toss the CD changer, as your probably going for some sort of mass storage mp3 or Ipod with the new headunit. Only thing you'll need unique for bose intergration is the PAC-OEM for corrected signal connectivity between aftermarket headunit and Bose amp.
The unit i have picture there is the x910bt which i think has been replaced with the x930bt which adds 2 way stereo bluetooth and pandora link.
If your a big android fan most manufactures should be releasing Android based headunits this summer or by the end of the year id look out for that. It will be a big improvement for GUI and app connectivity.
If thats not your thing and just want some good sound out of your mp3's, the current 930bt or Z series by Pioneer are great. Installation is really simple its been covered quite a bit, try a search in this forum.

LAWYER2

nice, any pics of it installed? model #

rich8n

Any chance someone can link one of these threads. Can't find them stickeyed anywhere, and search turns up hundreds if not thousands of non-relevant threads.

MarcusF

Try here. If after reading that, you have additional questions, fire away.

madshifter

I've been debating on whether to get the single din alpine iva d511r or the double din alpine iva-W520R. Double din scored extra chock points but where do you stash your ipod?

alexyates

Hi folks,
Just a bit of info. I fitted a JVC KD-R811 last month as it has all the functions I wanted but the main one being that it has a USB port on the rear. I keep my Ipod in the centre compartment between the gear-stick and the central arm-rest compartment and fed the USB cable neatly under the gear-stick panel and behind the ashtray so no messy wires on display.
Alex.