Replacement stereo ideas
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 5
From: Kansas City/Lawrence, KS
2001 CLK 430 w/5.4 swap, 2000 CLK430
Replacement stereo ideas
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?
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?
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 10
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From: Louisville, KY
01' CLK Cabrio
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.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 249
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From: Kansas City/Lawrence, KS
2001 CLK 430 w/5.4 swap, 2000 CLK430
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.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
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.
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01 clk 430 convertible. black on black
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
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,681
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From: SF
07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
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
PL
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
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From: West Los Angeles, CA
CLK55 / E350 Coupe
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.
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.
Last edited by GiZzO; Mar 31, 2011 at 11:50 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
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From: West Los Angeles, CA
CLK55 / E350 Coupe
Gundo did a nice install with a CF wrap:
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...tall-pics.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...tall-pics.html
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 249
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From: Kansas City/Lawrence, KS
2001 CLK 430 w/5.4 swap, 2000 CLK430
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 
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
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1999 mb clk320
looks great, but...
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
i would like to do double din like yours, are there any more pictures, insturctions/model numbers/part number you can share?
thanks, bill
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.
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.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: West Los Angeles, CA
CLK55 / E350 Coupe
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
i would like to do double din like yours, are there any more pictures, insturctions/model numbers/part number you can share?
thanks, bill
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.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 646
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15' W222
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
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.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 33
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From: Philippines
2012 C63 6.3L V8 N/A C204
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?
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: Blackburn, UK
clk 230k 6-speed cabriolet
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.
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.
