Flounder

I never did figure out the "muted" problem I was having on my radio. SO, my only option at this point is to tear out the stock stereo system and redo it.

Getting ready to purchase:

Pioneer P1400dvd
6.5" component system (MB Quart)

Debating on:
6.5" coaxials
and a single 10" or 12" sub
RF 600W 5 CH amp (if with subs, otherwise probably just simple 4CH amp)

Curious to know how large of an amp people are running on the stock charging system. If it's going to cause an issue I'll just run a 4 CH amp without a sub, but if others have had success on the stock charging system I'll go with the boom too.

I've been driving around without a radio for the past 7 mths or so...I can't do it anymore

Redw20855amg

I'm debating on two jl 6w3 subs there only 6.5" might try and fit them in the back seats i dont want nor need the beligerent bass of 12s a 10 would be ok but i feel like a 6.5 will be crisp clean ad great sound quality

insame1

I am running a pionner deck with a single 12" re audio se x sub. Running that is a Zapco ref 750.2 with a Sx sl eq in between. I did the Pac audio kit to run the stock highs off the new deck and I think it sounds pretty good. You might try that first before replacing the highs.

Flounder

I have to do the entire system as no one really can tell me what exactly is wrong with it. I know the Bose amp has a bad channel and the Head unit says Muted. Bose speakers are weird in regard to their impedance (not the std 4/8).

I didn't get many responses so this is what I ordered:
Pioneer 1400DVD
Polk Audio 6.5" Coaxials
Kicker 6.5" Components

I'm going to throw those in for now (once the headunit gets delivered) and run everything off the headunit for now. I decided to go with the Kicker components as the $55 price difference allowed me to buy the coaxials for the rear portion of the doors. If that doesn't do it for me, I left myself the option of being able to drop a 5CH or a 4CH + 1CH amp(s) to drive the mids/highs and then throw a sub in there as well.

I am just concerned as to the load on the alternator and if it's going to cause issues, I'm not going to do it.

DO you have any issues with the amp you are running? Headlights dimming or any warning indicators? Are you running a stock charging system or did you swap out the battery for an Optima?

insame1

I dont have any issues per say but the headlights do dim when up loud. tis the nature of the beast. I have never run a sytem that doesnt dim the lights. Thats how you can tell it is good enough lol. You will also need to run all new wire to the new speakers. I think you may have been better of replacing the stock amp. Do you have any experiance installing? this is not a good car to start with.

tunertekkniques

Well said, that install can turn into bigger problems if not done precisely.

CLK320skr

Is this just an MB thing? I've never had issues running an amp/sub off stock charging system, in any car I've owned. Never used a capacitor either.

Are you guys running massive systems or what?

Last system I had was a budget '1100W' Crunch amp, with a 10" Almani sub in a sealed box. Seriously budget.. lol. The sub was free and the amp was like $75+tax.. box, $40.

It was ridiculous how great this set up pounded. Bass was thick and tight.. sounded better than much more expensive systems I've auditioned. Was in an '03 Audi A4.

How well does bass travel into the cabin in these cars? The '03 BMW 530i I owned actually had the same system and I could barely hear it. It was because the rear seats didn't fold down, so they were steel backed. It was realllllly quiet.

Do the W208s require bigger/louder subs to fill the cabin with sufficient bass?

terrymary512

Anyone else seen this