S-Class (W140) 1991-1999: 300 SD, S 350TD, 300 SE 2.8, S280, 300 SE 3.2, 300 SEL 3.2, S320, S320L, 400 SE, S420, 400 SEL, S420L, 500 SE, S500, 500 SEL, S500L, 600 SE, S600, 600 SEL, S600L, 500 SEC, 600 SEC

Upgrading radio on W140..

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 04:51 PM
  #1  
SUPR C's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
02 C32, G60 Corrado
Upgrading radio on W140..

Guys,

My dad's 92 300SE's stock cassette radio is not working. We looked into after market replacemets (i.e. Alpine) and found it very difficult to setup as far as wiring and due to stock amp. So, we dicided to either just replace the radio with a same MB unit or a later model's with CD. My question is, do you guys know which model and year's headunit will work in this car? I am from the C32 forum, and know all there is to know about my car, but not much about the W140. Potomac German Auto is close by, I can pickup pretty much any headunit..

Thanks,
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 11:45 PM
  #2  
NZ_Benz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,290
Likes: 1
From: New Zealand
1993 300SEL/S320
Any stereo will work thing is with these W140 cars that the origional head units had some in the head unit and some in the boot and some under the back seat with all the parts working together, why you would not simply mount it all in the dash or in the boot is beyond me. Anyway you can replace with any headunit but you'll just have to run new wires to all the speakers etc.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 08:01 AM
  #3  
Peter Guenther's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 455
Likes: 1
From: Fl
92 500sel/01 320e wag
Be 1432

The radio is a two piece affair, the tuner sits in the trunk at the base of the drivers side rear wheel. The front portion is the cassette and control, and the dreaded "amp" is on top of the rear wheel. It changed to a one piece in 95.
http://www.mercedesradiorepair.com/
http://www.carstereohelp.com/strmercedes.htm
This should answer some questions, changing out the system is not a feasable option
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 09:17 AM
  #4  
Peter Guenther's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 455
Likes: 1
From: Fl
92 500sel/01 320e wag
Not so fst

Originally Posted by NZ_Benz
Any stereo will work thing is with these W140 cars that the origional head units had some in the head unit and some in the boot and some under the back seat with all the parts working together, why you would not simply mount it all in the dash or in the boot is beyond me. Anyway you can replace with any headunit but you'll just have to run new wires to all the speakers etc.
The 140 version in the US had the two piece radio, three if you had the CD, and a seven channel "bose" amp driving 11 speakers. The front to rear is controlled by the fader on the console thru the "bose". some of the speakers are 2 ohm with two in series on the back deck. The rewiring is a nightmare, since the wires are integrated into the looms, doable yes but a major project. In 95/6 the radio was replaced with a one piece unit the manual shows a cable adapter and antenna routing, the "bose" was changed.
Becker indicates that there is a radio that will fit the configuration and has CD (1), but it was pricey last time I checked. Becker and others provide repair service for this radio!
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 01:19 PM
  #5  
SUPR C's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
02 C32, G60 Corrado
Thanks alot guys, from the looks of it the easiest and the simpliest way would be to either change the radio with the same unit or repair it. I'll also look into the becker unit as well.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 01:36 PM
  #6  
NZ_Benz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,290
Likes: 1
From: New Zealand
1993 300SEL/S320
Originally Posted by Peter Guenther
The 140 version in the US had the two piece radio, three if you had the CD, and a seven channel "bose" amp driving 11 speakers. The front to rear is controlled by the fader on the console thru the "bose". some of the speakers are 2 ohm with two in series on the back deck. The rewiring is a nightmare, since the wires are integrated into the looms, doable yes but a major project. In 95/6 the radio was replaced with a one piece unit the manual shows a cable adapter and antenna routing, the "bose" was changed.
Becker indicates that there is a radio that will fit the configuration and has CD (1), but it was pricey last time I checked. Becker and others provide repair service for this radio!
Yea but there's no reason why you would have to remove the old wires just disconnect them, then just run new leads.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 04:49 PM
  #7  
Peter Guenther's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 455
Likes: 1
From: Fl
92 500sel/01 320e wag
I value your comments NZ_Benz, If you have done it I respect your skills!
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2006 | 03:08 AM
  #8  
NZ_Benz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,290
Likes: 1
From: New Zealand
1993 300SEL/S320
Originally Posted by Peter Guenther
I value your comments NZ_Benz, If you have done it I respect your skills!
Me no way I would not even try, I had a shop do it, all the old wires are still in there basicly what it consists of is removing the head unit and stacker in the boot mounting a new unit, removing the door pannels and wiring it in, if you want to run a stacker in the boot you remove the head lining and run the cable through there so you don't have to deal with the massive wiring loom down the left hand side of the car, I decied rather than adding a stacker that I would just get a head unit that would take a USB connection to my iPod.

Just as a side note, the bose system is very good, I would try to keep it as for me the most PITA thing about the whole project was finding a stereo that looked ok with my interior, too many are all silver and neon glows for my liking.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:09 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE