james82

Hey guys I just bought a '93 300E 4matic on Monday. So far evrything I read on the forum has been very helpful in answering most of my questions. I still have a few though, mostly stereo related. Here we go:

Is it better to integrate the built in fader and amps or to bypass them? Crutchfield sells a wiring harness for the 300E making it an easy install. They say you can integrate or bypass it. If I bypass the amp I might as wel replace the speakers, but I would have to install an aftermarket amp since a CD unit can only power 4 speakers and the car has 6.


Thanks in advance

-James

neanderthal

bypass.

YNVDIZW124

Or you can re-wire the fader? If that's too much work the just bypass it and get two small amps.

james82

I was thinking to get one 4 channel amp to power the speakers in the front doors and the rear deck speakers, and the stereo would power the dash speakers.

neanderthal

i dont think the factory stereo has any real output power, just enough for line in to teh amp.

if you change you head unit you can use its power to power front and rear, and buy a 4/ 3/ 2 channel amp to power the doors and a single woofer/ box. i originally had mine powering all the speakers, but it was stolen and the idiots at circuit city connected the speakers to the head unit instead of using the pre-existing wiring that was already in place for an amp. so now im powering the door speakers with the amp and planning to install a woofer in the first aid kit for the other channel. it might end up being a blessing.


any ideas on the woofer; need a free air obviously, dont want a box, need the trunk space. toyota (lexus) has some models that come with a sub in the hatshelf. wouldja?

james82

Wow so circutit city had run all new speaker wires for you, thats a lot of work. I was thinking to use the existing speaker wires just to save time, maybe I would have to extend them a little, as for the stereo I will prob get a Pioneer 6700 this way I can buy the iPod adapter that plugs into the rear and run the wire to the cubby in the center console. I will prob get an amp as well but I don't know if I'll be getting a sub or not. Where's the best place to put an amp, inside the car? or in the trunk?


As for free air subs, I havent seen/heard much about them, but the are space saving.

ozmercfan

Have a look at this Mercedes W124 Subwoofer
ebay item 4574758165

james82

Ok guys, I started my stereo install yesterday and I'm almost done, everything is wired, Pioneer 6700 + iPod adapter wired to glove box, sound and power cables to trunk for the amp. Just gotta hook up the amp next and I am finished.

My only problem out of everthing is that my ashtray won't click shut anymore, did I lose a piece when I removed it or is there some trick to putting it back?