Replacement in-car entertainment 1995 A124 320

[outsmartsmart]

Just purchased this car and it currently has a Kenwood radio unit in. Way too complicated, tiny buttons, and no bluetooth/DAB/phone, etc.

Am looking for recommendations for replacement unit that will have bluetooth as a minimum and preferably DAB capability. Don't want it looking like a Halfords special though

Not had a proper poke around in the car and behind panels yet so no idea if it has had the loom cut to accept the new unit fitted. It has two 'sensors' either side of the dash I believe are part of the alarm system but it then does have [what appears to be] a phone microphone at top of drivers A-post but I can find no mention in the current head-unit user guide that suggests it is linked to that.

Will likely replace the rear wing aerial at same time as radio can only 'find' a few stations and the aerial rod doesn't go down the last section when powered off.

There is a CD changer unit in the boot, pretty sure it won't work as the 'cassette' that holds the CD's is FUBAR'd and just rattles around in the unit, may have bits missing. Not bothered if this works or not TBH?

Comments/suggestions/advice?

TIA

 

[LostKiwi]

If you want period (which won't have DAB) then Becker or Blaupunkt.

If you want period looking Continental do a few that look like they were original fit but are modern with USB, Bluetooth, DAB etc.

Continental Automotive

CD Radio with DAB tuner to listen radio with digital sound Quality.

www.continental-automotive.com

 

[rayhennig]

Continental do a few

Yep and we bought 2 of them. No CD on either but one has DAB. Less than 200 Euro each.

RayH

 

[outsmartsmart]

Have taken a look at the Continental range, look decent and good VFM. Likely purchase at moment but still checking a few others out; Kenwood and Pioneer do some more discrete looking models. Will get the current one out to see what the wiring is like behind the unit

 

[LostKiwi]

I have Kenwood KDC-BT7100 units in my 129 and 210.
Decent enough and we'll featured (especially when it comes to audio setup) and not too fiddly though the interface isn't exactly intuitive.

I believe these are now superceded with the 7200.

 

[outsmartsmart]

Had looked at that Kenwood unit (and similar in range). Thought the display looked a bit 'busy' but good to hear recommended.

It looks like the USB points are 'dangling' on their wires - do you plug into them at the rear so semi-permanent install for a phone charger lead as example?

Do you need any form of aftermarket 'adaptors' for these type of units - not sure if the A124 Merc' is new enough for plug'n'play connections???

 

[mioba]

Most ICE places can provide an adaptor loom car to head unit. Its not very often that anything is plug and play with aftermarket HUs

 

[outsmartsmart]

Will know more when I take old one out and purchase a new one to compare. Likely a Continental or Blaupunkt unit I'd say at the moment.

 

[outsmartsmart]

Went the whole hog and got one of these ‘period style’ but modern DAB, Bluetooth, phone, SD card, aux in, etc.

Need to set the DAB aerial up and get replacement rear wing electric aerial as current one doesn’t ‘close’ fully