wtjohn

Is it possible to upgrade my single CD player in a 2003 E-320 to a CD changer? Either glove compartment or trunk would be OK.

Thanks,

Wolfgang

OGBenzo

There should be a slot under your stock CD player where the hazard button is, you press a button and it opens to reveal a pocket. That is where the factory CD changer goes. Unlike the pre-03 models that use a trunk mounted changer, the 03+ uses a indash 6 disc changer. No other aftermarket company makes on to fit, so you have to use the MBZ one. I had one installed in my E500 and including labor and parts I paid bout $1000. The part should run about $4-450 plus tax and labor will run you anywhere between $3-400. You need to also buy an adapter and some other parts that could run another $150-200.

wtjohn

Thanks for the fast reply, OGBenzo. I had noticed that compartment when I first purchased the car and had completely forgotten about it. I did not seem very useful. It doesn't seem deep enough for a changer, but I imagine the compartment itself probably will be removed?

bmms8

no, the changer is built into the compartment, with the wood door covering it. here is a pic that i have on my car. notice the two red leds, that means there is a cd in slot 1 and two.

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...&pagenumber=10

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...=04_E&menu=3_1

go there and click "factory installed cd changer" under options for more details, and a better pic, GL

wtjohn

>no, the changer is built into the compartment, with the wood >door covering it.

Thanks bmms8. Now I have to contact a dealer and see if it is indeed available for my 2003 E-320.

Wolfgang

bmms8

np, i dont think all dealers will do it, but fletcher jones i believe does, since your in cali, you might not be to far from them, GL

TREZ63

If you can get the part i think you should try to put it in yourself. The mblearning site has a good demo on how to take that portion of the car apart. You can save yourself a lot of money.

Oh and the reason the compartment is small is because the CDC is front loading so there is no magazine. It is very impressive and its one of the coolest things in the car.

wtjohn

>If you can get the part i think you should try to put it in yourself. >The mblearning site has a good demo on how to take that >portion of the car apart. You can save yourself a lot of money.

Thanks trezaei. You wouldn't have a link? I don't seem to be able to find it.

Wolfgang

bmms8

http://www.mbusalearning.com/w211ele...ction/pg22.htm

btw, to quote someone, just press the "quote" button just left to the "reply" button

wtjohn

Thanks.

lennylam

Just give my 2 cent.

I installed the CD changer by myself. It is quite easy once you watch the clips in mblearning web site and have all the parts you need. It took me about 2 hours to finish the job and cost me around $450 total.

Lenny

wtjohn

Could you please provide the url for that site? I don't seem to be able to get there.

Thanks,

Wolfgang

lennylam

http://www.mbusalearning.com/w211ele...mbly/index.htm

You need to go this page follow the above link and then you watch the clips in Center Console and Audio Unit & Control Panel. After you watch the clips, you should be able to take the whole audio unit out.

wtjohn

Thanks a bunch. That does not look too difficult. I take it the entire lower control unit will be replaced? Were you able to order the CD changer kit from your local MB dealer?

I just called my local MB dealer and he says the only one they know of goes into the glove box. Is your car a 2003 E-320?

Thanks,

Wolfgang

lennylam

I bought my CD-Changer from ebay, so probably the price will be higher in dealer. Beside the CD changer, you will need additional parts to connect and mount your CD changer. Those parts I picked up from the local dealer. I will list them below. You may be able to get those parts cheaper (Shop around )

Parts:
211-680-05-72 - Connector, Front Counter "ROCSO" $48.16
This one is the fan unit which goes to the end of the CD-changer compartment. You only need one.
211-689-02-14 - Bracket $1.90 each and you need 2.
As I remember, it is just a screw but I can't remember.
211-540-31-32 - Electric C. $6.16 you only need one
This is the optical cable to connect your audio unit and the car.
000000-001955 - Screw $1.34 each and you need 2.
000-997-81-32 - Screw Plug $0.78 each and you need 2.

Steps to installation: (This is my way - may not be the way the service department did)

1. Follow the procedures from mblearning site to take out your lower console and audio unit.
Some tips from my experience:
When you take out lower console (which the CD-changer will go to that one), try to make the door open and disconnect the power - so the door will remain open when you retrofit your CD-changer.
2. You will need to take out the small pocket at the front of that console.
3. You are now ready to slide the CD-Changer from the front of console and install the cooling fan at the back of the console. You should be able to connect all connectors and organized them within that unit.
4. After everything is ready, you will need to connect the optical cable to the audio unit. The way to connect is using daisy chain.
Some tips: You need to take out clip from the one end of the optical cable you bought. (I spent half an hour to figure it out)

After put everything back, your CD-changer should work right a way.

Please excuse my poor English. I am trying my best to explain.

Lenny

wtjohn

Thanks for your great effort, Lenny. As I mentioned, the dealer told me that the unit goes into the glove box. Is your car a 2003 E-320?

Thanks,

Wolfgang

TREZ63

The unit DOES NOT go in the glove box for the W211. I don't care what your dealer told you. the glove box is not even deep enough. Besides, the coolest part is the placement of it.

wtjohn

How can I make sure mine is indeed a W-211?

bmms8

w211 meaning as the model year? if your car is from 2003-2004 then its a w211, 97-02 is w210. i also agree that the changer has to go in the motized slot, try calling fletcher jones, i think your dealer is trying to get you a changer that is used in other MB models, and i dont even think that changer will work, GL

lennylam

I have E-500. The CD changer is the same as E-320. The CD changer is inside the center console. The part number of the CD changer should start with 211 not 210.

moa4r

Dealer charges $400 for THAT???!!!! That is why they call them "stealers"...anyway, i got a quote for $95 for the changer install from one dealer and $350 from another...which do you think I should go to???

lennylam

It depends on how much the dealer charges you on the parts. As I mentioned previously, around $450 for everything. I digged out my all my invoices last night. The CD-changer itself costs me $315. So the total cost for me to install the CD-changer was close to $400.

So you need to do the math, if the dealer charges you $95 for installation but they charge $800 for parts or $400 for installation and $500 for parts. They will both end up the same amount. In my opinion, the installation is not hard. So if you believe you are kind of handy person, you can try to install by yourself.

moa4r

thanks for the info... i have the changer already (btw, did you pay $350 for the changer itself from the dealer?? That seems like a very good pirce!) and just need to get it installed. Yes, it does seem straightforward since it is already pre-wired...

codex57

Man, what kinda retarded dealer do you have? I'd take my business elsewhere if I were you. Sounds like they either know nothing or just plain wanna rip you off cuz they're the only dealer around for miles.

I have an 03 320 with a CD changer. The changer is not in the glove box or trunk, it's in that little pocket under the radio. LennyLam and BMMM8 are right.

Randy B

I spoke with my dealer today about the price of the changer. They want $900.00 retail for it, and I could get it for $720.00 from him including the bracket, but would need to order the other parts mentioned. If anyone has a better price in the states for the changer, please post who, and their phone number so I can order this. Otherwise $750 is not worth it to me at this point.