josha

My CD changer in my 05 C coupe has been having a number of intermittent playback issues pretty much since I bought it in January, and it looks like the problem is that the magazine doesn't always seat right. It happens to me no matter what type of CDs I put into it, burned or purchased. However, when I took it to the dealership (Stead Motors in Walnut Creek--a bunch of sleazy douche bags), they refused to replace it stating the problem was that I had burned CDs in it, and Mercedes can't play burned CDs. Ignoring the whole issue that I told them it happens with regular CDs and all, has anyone ever heard that the MB CD changer doesn't play burned CDs? That seems like pure BS to me.

scorchie

That's a common cop-out that is actually endorsed by MBAG. In some cases it is true, that some burned CDs are inferior quality and writing on the top can cause problems. In most cases, the burned CD has no bearing on any problems that occur.

Take the car back somewhere else with a magazine full of original CDs or with only one CD in it.

-s-

josha

Ah, it's amazing what a phone call to the dealership general manager can do. They replaced the CD changer, and after listening to 2 people tell me that they still think the drive was ok, as soon as I turned on the car and selected the CDC, it played burned CDs just fine (and has continued to do so).

bryanm

There are two issues with burned CD's:
1) The marker ink transfers to the rollers, mucking them up, and
2) With the sticker type labels, the glue dries out, the label separates and gets chewed into a million pieces and evenly distributed throughout the inside of the changer.

josha

I'd heard there can be issues with labels and custom CDs--I actually don't label any CDs I burn. I just mark the cases I put them into. Thanks for posting the info, though!

scorchie

If you read the Mercedes documents, you'll recall that the main issue is with the varying thickness of discs and how most of the cheaply manufactured discs are not in spec. The ink transferring to eject rollers is a very real issue though. But that issue occurs with original audio discs as well, at least in my case; an old habit from my DJ days is to write my name on all my vinyl labels, which I now do for my CDs as well (whereas on burned CDs I almost never write anything...). Since ejection rollers are only on slot-loading drives/changers, the cartridge loaded changers aren't subject to that issue.

-s-

bryanm

It has been a little while since I read the document - thanks for adding that point to the list.

I just noticed on your signature that you have 63 door dings on your list of modifications - I don't have any and I'm thinking of getting some, can you suggest a good shop?

scorchie

I usually get them downtown in San Francisco. I am sure Toronto has just as good a place to go! I actually got a new one the other day, and I will update my signature after I pass 300KKm this week.

-s-

bryanm

I'll have to try a few new parking lots, so far I haven't been able to get any.

Back to the topic - another problem with CDs of all types, non-circular labels (e.g. mailing labels) thowing the CD off balance when it spins, causing wobble.