Head Unit time....... again
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 622
Likes: 3
S500
Head Unit time....... again
It seems that the stereo bug has hit me yet again. I'm wondering if anyone out there has made attempts to put in a double din head unit in the car. I know of one situation, but I'm wondering if anyone else has attempted it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 2
From: Seattle
1990 300ce
I don't know, the W124 dash would require some modifications obviously. It would be a ton of work if you wanted to make it look OEM. Very fun, very cool, but lots of work.
Are you thinking that you'd just use the space where the ash tray is?
EDIT: The ash tray area would be very tricky, the more I think about it. The reason is that the console tapers just below the HU. It's not wide enough for a standard-width double-DIN unit. So you'd have to modify the console itself.
If you wanted to get really crazy, you could completely rebuild the whole center dash area and relocate all of the buttons down to the ash tray area. Man, that would be really cool-looking, but again, a lot of work when you could just get a fold-out unit. Pic I stole from ebay to show the center dash:
Are you thinking that you'd just use the space where the ash tray is?
EDIT: The ash tray area would be very tricky, the more I think about it. The reason is that the console tapers just below the HU. It's not wide enough for a standard-width double-DIN unit. So you'd have to modify the console itself.
If you wanted to get really crazy, you could completely rebuild the whole center dash area and relocate all of the buttons down to the ash tray area. Man, that would be really cool-looking, but again, a lot of work when you could just get a fold-out unit. Pic I stole from ebay to show the center dash:
Last edited by Bigpete123; Nov 30, 2006 at 01:59 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,816
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
W124's
You can't put a headunit where the climate control switches are because there is a safety bar that goes across the dash and I don't think it'll me a smart idea to cut it either...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,062
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Dora the Explorer
Plus, those buttons attach directly to the climate control unit behind the wood trim. That's why there's spaces where missing switches would be, rather than having all of the buttons centered.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,491
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
Regular deck with iPod Aux and fold out Nav.....or regular deck, aux for iPod and Garmin Nuvi for the win!
I have the Nuvi and it ROCKS. I'll post pics of my setup later today...
I have the Nuvi and it ROCKS. I'll post pics of my setup later today...
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 2
From: Seattle
1990 300ce
Seriously, I want to see that.
BTW, good point Chris. I forgot about that structural piece. And Matt, you'd definitely have to do a lot of work to relocate everything and perhaps rewire it. But I think that part is doable.
I would say that the path of least resistence is probably the smartest one in this case. I have thought about getting navi, but I don't want to have that unit stuck to my dash or windshield with cords hanging all over the place.
BTW, good point Chris. I forgot about that structural piece. And Matt, you'd definitely have to do a lot of work to relocate everything and perhaps rewire it. But I think that part is doable.
I would say that the path of least resistence is probably the smartest one in this case. I have thought about getting navi, but I don't want to have that unit stuck to my dash or windshield with cords hanging all over the place.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,491
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
See, here's the thing...I have a 4 yr old Panasonic deck that has aux...ran a cable from the rear of it out the dash (will show pics later) and with the Nuvi, I have full nav, can position it anywhere on the windsheild for access and it goes to my condo with me at the end of the night....no security issue. Another positive is if I do a road trip in someone else's car, THEY will have nav, thanks to the portability of the Nuvi. It's sweet.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 2
From: Seattle
1990 300ce
as cartman would say, totally ****. I like that you can easily remove it. That way you don't really need to keep it in there when you're going to the grocery store or doing the morning commute. It would be cool to rig up a contraption that would allow you put it in the glove box and fold it out when needed. That would also be quite a lot of work though!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,491
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
yes, cool for those of you with ONE airbag and a glovebox. 
I keep mine in my roll-top armrest box if I'm using it but stop on the way anywhere. The thing has voice guidance that tells you exactly what street to turn on as opposed to other nav systems (mb factory incl) that only tell you to turn in so many miles (or Kms for me 
)
I keep mine in my roll-top armrest box if I'm using it but stop on the way anywhere. The thing has voice guidance that tells you exactly what street to turn on as opposed to other nav systems (mb factory incl) that only tell you to turn in so many miles (or Kms for me )
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 382
Likes: 4
From: Midwest
Was 89' 300E, Now 93' 500SEL
NO Alpine! 1va-d310!
As for the double din i think it would look ugly. The location of our deck is already low enough and even if you manage to install a double din.. the screen is going to hit the shifter. Since the screen slides downwards when you need to change out a cd. I have no problems with my head unit.
As for the double din i think it would look ugly. The location of our deck is already low enough and even if you manage to install a double din.. the screen is going to hit the shifter. Since the screen slides downwards when you need to change out a cd. I have no problems with my head unit.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 622
Likes: 3
S500
Lots of good ideas.
I already have an Alpine IVA 100 flip out screen. Previous to that a regular Pioneer deck with lots of toys in it. Loved all of the adjustments that were available with the Pioneer, I was able to tune the system they way I liked. A lot more difficult with the Alpine deck and add to that I dealing with a cabrio...... you get the idea. So my thought was to go back to Pioneer. The flip out face they have is somewhat entry level. The 2ble din unit has everything I'm looking for, including 5 volt pre-outs, and many of the features of the old Pioneer deck that I had.
I did see someone on one of the forums was doing a setup where he installed that headunit occupying the stock location and the ashtray. But I can't find the thread anywhere. I wanted to see how it turned out.
I already have an Alpine IVA 100 flip out screen. Previous to that a regular Pioneer deck with lots of toys in it. Loved all of the adjustments that were available with the Pioneer, I was able to tune the system they way I liked. A lot more difficult with the Alpine deck and add to that I dealing with a cabrio...... you get the idea. So my thought was to go back to Pioneer. The flip out face they have is somewhat entry level. The 2ble din unit has everything I'm looking for, including 5 volt pre-outs, and many of the features of the old Pioneer deck that I had.
I did see someone on one of the forums was doing a setup where he installed that headunit occupying the stock location and the ashtray. But I can't find the thread anywhere. I wanted to see how it turned out.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 2
From: Seattle
1990 300ce
yes, cool for those of you with ONE airbag and a glovebox. I keep mine in my roll-top armrest box if I'm using it but stop on the way anywhere. The thing has voice guidance that tells you exactly what street to turn on as opposed to other nav systems (mb factory incl) that only tell you to turn in so many miles (or Kms for me )
I keep mine in my roll-top armrest box if I'm using it but stop on the way anywhere. The thing has voice guidance that tells you exactly what street to turn on as opposed to other nav systems (mb factory incl) that only tell you to turn in so many miles (or Kms for me )
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,491
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
Thanks man! I plan to...got friends coming from all over to Van tonight (Washington,Victoria, Calgary, Vegas) I may post a few pics of the debauchery when I post pics of the nav setup in my car...
STAY TUNED MUTHASUKKAS!!!!
STAY TUNED MUTHASUKKAS!!!!
