Head unit options

[charlfourie]

Next up for my w124 is working on a subtle upgrade to the sounds. I don't want anything looking too obvious. The Jehnert side panels are really overpriced I reckon. With shipping and insurance it's going to cost me 980EUR. Found a local auto trimmer and fabricator know for high quality work. And I sure they'll be able to come in cheaper.

But this is not about the trim yet...

The head unit, currently I am running the stock standard Becker Europa 2000. Looks nice enough, but that's about it.

So here are my options, source a Becker Le Mans front loader, not too difficult. But another option has popped up for me. The Nakamichi CD 700II, the amber colour display, and subtle looks should fit in nicely with the w124 interior. http://www.nakamichi.com/pdf/Naka%20-%20CD700II%20FA.pdf

Can anyone think of any options that will fit in with the Mercedes interior theme? Any Blaupunkt options?

 

[Seeker_UK]

Kenwood header units used to be dual colour (ie would switch from Green to Amber)

If you shop about (ie hit your local Cash Converters or e-Bay) you can pick them up for buttons - it's usually a cassette unit but will support a MD / CD multiplayer.

New, Alpine, Nak or Sony all have amber coloured versions

 

[Myros]

Blaupunkt Travel pilots e1 and e2

have some variation in button colour, we have one red and one white, and a whitish display. Also multi-band graphic equaliser and sat nav thrown in as well. the white button version doesn't clash too much with the merc dash, and the 124 is more white than amber as I recall. If you get an e2 it plays MP3 discs as well, and both versions will take an aux feed to the rear, or a multi-cd changer feed. Not dead expensive on e-bay germany.
Downside, nav discs are expensive and rare. The sat nav is quick reacting though, and it is a face-off unit that gives not much away to anyone peering in.

 

[The Rock]

I fitted one of these after my Audio 10 started messing me around.

http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/products/25/121/61/DEH-2000MP/index.html

£89. The sound upgrade is unbelievable. I didn't change any speakers, just the head unit. It's a single shot player only with aux-in on the front panel.

The illuminations are red but they fit in well with the amber of my dash because they're not over-bright. One small gripe is that the volume knob could be bigger.

I bought it from here: http://www.tapmap.com/stores/common.php?retailer_id=PION82&product_type_id=4

Obviously if you're nowhere near Portsmouth that doesn't help, but the guy fitted it for me and charged me a round £100 all in.

Rock

 

[charlfourie]

The Pioneer looks pretty cool.
I've been thinking about the whole thing of sticking to Becker and all that... when all that really matter is keeping it tasteful. So I am hunting around a bit more. Luckily I am in no rush at all. Nakamichi got back to me also, and are trying to find my closest supplier. So might still be an option. But the big thing for me would be Ipod use. My Itrip works well enough, but it does eat away at the battery, and reception isn't always perfect.

But thanks for all the advice so far.

 

[charlfourie]

Further update on my search...

Does anybody have experience with the Blaupunkt Bremen MP76 unit?
I see it has one really great feature... VarioColour: 4,096 display colours selectable to match any dashboard colour.