1996 W140 S500 Coupe - MP3 and Pasadena head unit

[Baghdad or Bust]

I am in the process of buying a 96 S500 W140 Coupe.

it has the Blaupunkt Pasadena head Unit and 10 CD autochanger in the boot. I would like to have the ability to either have an MP3 player fitted or go with an iPod set up. Suggestions and thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Buccaneer

 

[guydewdney]

does the passadena support the later mp3 cd changers?

or go with a blaupunkt mp3 headunit - or even a DAB unit - like the woodstock DAB54 (with record function)

<ot> does the car have side air bags - if not - then be careful - the early ones are prone to electrical problems
</ot>

 

[Baghdad or Bust]

No idea if the pasadena unit supports MP3 changers or not - hence asking.

Waiting for report to find out if the car has side airbags or not.

So if I am reading between the lines i should avoid all cars without them as i will have electrical problems? Even if there is no history of it with the car?

When did they stop having electrical problems?

I have read about issues surrounding biodegradeable wiring - but that is before the 96 cars.

 

[guydewdney]

If its a very early 96 then its a build date of 95.... hence bio-wiring things.

The easiest way to tell is the side air bags - std on all facelift, non bio-wire post 96 cars. They also coloured the sides in better, but that can be done with a spray gun

I hope yours is a build date post 95 (ie IN 96..)

 

[Baghdad or Bust]

Well it has the 5 speed box for a start and different air con to the 94 models.... only seen pictures of it due to being where i am right now - waiting on inspection and VIN number.

 

[MondeoMan]

My C200 came with a Pasadena, it has no MP3 changer support. It's a nasty stone age tech device anyway, get shot of it. Front speakers are rubbish too! I've got a Sony CD with Rainbow SLX components up front now, sound quality is a world away from the previous kit.