replacing head and multichanger

[biglee]

I have had a diagnostic done as my head unit is not recognising the multichanger. MB said the head unit was faulty and needed replacing at a cost af around £500. I have a CLK 230K cabrio year 2000. Is there any aftermarket units that can be fitted where the sterring wheel controls will still work, as I find the cost of the MB unit excessive?

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi
Do a search on E-bay mate there will be a replacement MB unit you might even get a better MB unit than what you,ve already got.
I,m sure Alpine do an additional control box to make some of their head units compatible with your steering wheel controls but i,m not sure wether your original multi-player would work.
Failing that you could always try these breakers have you used them myself excellent service always got 2nd hand head units and even possibly new units as they buy up old stock from dealers do mail order too.

http://www.mercman.net/

 

[biglee]

thanks andy I will give them a call but I was considering changing the head and changer to a JVC or Kenwood. I know I cant get the leads for the JVC are there any other compatible makes if I change both head and changer. Thanks Lee

 

[bigasotonuk]

The only make that does this that i know of is Alpine sorry
Does anyone else know?

Keep your standard set up replacing the head unit+changer won,t improve the sound quality as the merc unit is better quality IMO than either make you quoted in your post.
Mate of mine has a CLK 320 convertible (208 no steering wheel controls) someone has replaced his head unit and he is opting for the standard units from e-bay this he believes will help retain the value of the car as it will "appear" untampered with.
Whatever you do think carefully.
If i was looking at 2 cars the same except one has a standard stereo and one with a kenwood or JVC i know which one i would choose standard everytime.

 

[biglee]

thanks andy i totally agree do you know if an audio 10 would slot straight in as the only audio 30s i can find are newer models with sat nav built in if not are these ok to use for the wheel controls and cd changer my unit has becker stamped on the side thanks lee.

 

[bitonw]

I got an Audio 10 CD from my W203 laying around. The only problem is that the CD player plays up. But since you got an CD Changer it's may be a solution?

 

[biglee]

thanks i will send you a private e-mail to discuss Lee

 

[bigasotonuk]

Sorry but i really dont know there is member on here called Alfie who has made a buisness of upgrading standard merc audio to command (sat nav) drop him an e-mail he maybe able to sort you out with a 2nd hand unit if not he is in a better position to answer your questions.

 

[biglee]

Thanks Andy, The Merc is mainly used by my wife and the Cd changer has never worked in 2 and a half years. It is a shame because the quality of the sound is great. As i said the unit I have is a Becker audio 30. I am not interesed in the sat nav as there is nowhere to put the disk anyway. Would you know if a replacement audio 10 unit would work with the changer and steering controls. Thanks Lee

 

[Alfie]

The standard Audio 10 unit will work in your car and will control the CD changer. It should be plug and play.

The W203 Audio 10 unit will not fit in your car its a different shape.

I dont have any of the CLK Audio 10 units in stock. Try ebay. The type you need can be from either a facelifted W208, facelifted W210. Make sure the seller guarantees the unit is fully working.

 

[marnix]

Your Audio30 and your CD Changer may be the old analogue type.
The Audio10 uses a fibre optic link between the head unit and the CD changer.
Do you have 2 fatish orange wires in a green plug connected at the back of your Audio30. If not you will have to upgrade your CD changer to work with the Audio10

 

[biglee]

yes the fibre optic cable is in place but it looks as if someone has had a go at the blue wire?

 

[marnix]

If it's the fibre optic model, then it's a straight swap for the Audio10.
Just make sure it's not the BE6021 model that only fits the W203 (C Class)and W209 (CLK).
I have attached a picture of the wiring block for you to check what the blue wire does.

 

[bitonw]

Audio 10 CD / W203

This is a Radio 10 CD from a W203 (C-Class). As you can see on the picture it's bigger then a standaard DIN.