2-DIN head units for W140?
05-09-2009, 04:32 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CLK 430
2-DIN head units for W140?
I had someone help me do this for a 2000 CLK 430, but now I'm looking at a smoking deal on a 1992 300SD and would like to know if anyone here has done a 2-DIN upgrade for a W140.
If so, I would greatly appreciate any tips, tricks, links, etc., that you'd be willing to contribute.
Thanks!
If so, I would greatly appreciate any tips, tricks, links, etc., that you'd be willing to contribute.
Thanks!
05-14-2009, 02:09 PM
#2
Junior Member
No matter how "smokin" the deal is on a 1992 300SD - don't take it.
The cars are wonderful, but search "Mercedes Rod Bender" on this site, or other MB sites, or hit google and you'll see what I mean.
The 3.5L Diesel engine is the worst engine (possibly) that MB ever put on the road.
Expect to pay $7,000 or so to replace the motor - just for an idea.
Several have swapped out older, more reliable engines, but they're not as powerful as the 3.5L, so I don't expect performance would be very good.
As for you original question - it can be done. There's tons of room in the console behind the radio. The climate control can't easily be moved in the gen-1 140-chassis cars, as it uses 3 square cutouts in the console (newer 95+ cars have a standard rectangular hole for the CC unit), but you can remove the ashtray and have enough room for a double-din unit.
Most of the installs I've seen (to me) look completely botched, because they eliminate the wood in favor of some "color coordinated" dash treatment. Spoils the look entirely.
Myself, I just installed a Kenwood KVT-514 headunit and I'm very pleased. It's a touchscreen DVD unit that's fully compliant with iPod (takes an extra $30 cable), USB (not great, a bit balky when trying to move between files and folders), plus all manner of backup camera, external video, bluetooth (when you add a $150 module), plus XM/Sirius and HD radio (all requiring extra modules). I've got Bluetooth and Sirius, plus my iPod Nano (4th gen) connected.
The unit is better than recent offerings in that you can control not only the rake (angle of the screen), but the reach. I can put the screen where I can easily access normal features while my palm rests on the shifter.
Reasonably priced, too - I got mine on that famous auction site for about $450 delivered.
But again - look for a 320 (6-cylinder gas - which is what I've got), or a 420, or 500 (v8 powered) cars. They're WAY more reliable - but you've got to feed 'em premium gas. My 320 (92 model) gets me consistent 17mpg around town and 23-24 on the highway at 75-80.
Good luck.
The cars are wonderful, but search "Mercedes Rod Bender" on this site, or other MB sites, or hit google and you'll see what I mean.
The 3.5L Diesel engine is the worst engine (possibly) that MB ever put on the road.
Expect to pay $7,000 or so to replace the motor - just for an idea.
Several have swapped out older, more reliable engines, but they're not as powerful as the 3.5L, so I don't expect performance would be very good.
As for you original question - it can be done. There's tons of room in the console behind the radio. The climate control can't easily be moved in the gen-1 140-chassis cars, as it uses 3 square cutouts in the console (newer 95+ cars have a standard rectangular hole for the CC unit), but you can remove the ashtray and have enough room for a double-din unit.
Most of the installs I've seen (to me) look completely botched, because they eliminate the wood in favor of some "color coordinated" dash treatment. Spoils the look entirely.
Myself, I just installed a Kenwood KVT-514 headunit and I'm very pleased. It's a touchscreen DVD unit that's fully compliant with iPod (takes an extra $30 cable), USB (not great, a bit balky when trying to move between files and folders), plus all manner of backup camera, external video, bluetooth (when you add a $150 module), plus XM/Sirius and HD radio (all requiring extra modules). I've got Bluetooth and Sirius, plus my iPod Nano (4th gen) connected.
The unit is better than recent offerings in that you can control not only the rake (angle of the screen), but the reach. I can put the screen where I can easily access normal features while my palm rests on the shifter.
Reasonably priced, too - I got mine on that famous auction site for about $450 delivered.
But again - look for a 320 (6-cylinder gas - which is what I've got), or a 420, or 500 (v8 powered) cars. They're WAY more reliable - but you've got to feed 'em premium gas. My 320 (92 model) gets me consistent 17mpg around town and 23-24 on the highway at 75-80.
Good luck.
05-15-2009, 07:58 PM
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CLK 430
Thank you for the reply! I had not heard of the 350 having issues with rods and the '92 has proven to not be as attractive a deal as I had thought at first glance. I am, however, interested in acquiring a 1995+ model and so am looking into that now.
It further sounds like the 1995+ would make the 2-DIN install much less problematic as well which would be very welcome.
By the way, why the Kenwood over the Pioneer? Any technical reasons or is it preference for a different reason?
Thanks again!
It further sounds like the 1995+ would make the 2-DIN install much less problematic as well which would be very welcome.
By the way, why the Kenwood over the Pioneer? Any technical reasons or is it preference for a different reason?
Thanks again!
06-08-2009, 01:59 PM
#4
Junior Member
Kenwood over Pioneer started years ago. The original head unit in a '92 Lincoln MKVIII I owned was crapping out, and getting it repaired was mega-$. I had seen and wanted a head-unit with a self-hiding faceplace. At the time, Kenwood was the only manufacturer that offered such a gimmick.
I added Sirius to the radio via dedicated Kenwood/Sirius tuner.
When I sold the car, I pulled the Sirius tuner out, and being previously satisfied with the Kenwood head-unit, and not wanting to lose the money spent on the Kenwood/Sirius tuner, I've stuck with Kenwood ever since.
I added Sirius to the radio via dedicated Kenwood/Sirius tuner.
When I sold the car, I pulled the Sirius tuner out, and being previously satisfied with the Kenwood head-unit, and not wanting to lose the money spent on the Kenwood/Sirius tuner, I've stuck with Kenwood ever since.
