W210 Stereo - Daft Question

[bigalxyz]

Hello forum,

I'm about to demonstrate my ignorance when it comes to ICE.

I have a 1997 W210 E320. It has a Blaupunkt Paris radio/cassette in there.

I'd like to replace it with something more modern & in particular, something with iPod connectivity.

Can I buy ANY head unit & slot it in, or are there compatibility issues, certain types of connectors needed, etc.?

Thanks!

 

[Scrottocks]

Hi bigalxyz,

Some years ago (5-6?) I replaced the original radio/cd Player on my 1998 W210 E280 and, if I recall correctly, had no particular issues with the changeover or wiring. The new unit was a Liddle or Aldi jobbie so no Hi-Tech machine.
Arthur

 

[television]

Yes you can pop anything in there, no steering wheel buttons so easy to do

 

[brandwooddixon]

Yes it has standard ISO connections.
Be careful with the radio antenna lead. The central core is thin and is prone to break within the black connector when you unplug it from the old radio.

 

[Naraic]

But choose something nice...so many aftermarket units look naff in the W210.

 

[turbopete]

i had a jvc unit in mine with a 12 disc changer. tape deck in the head unit so it looked period. only downfall was it lit up green instead of orange, not that it bothered me

 

[Naraic]

i had a jvc unit in mine with a 12 disc changer. tape deck in the head unit so it looked period. only downfall was it lit up green instead of orange, not that it bothered me

You don't live where I live!!

 

[taxii]

Do they still make tape decks anymore? Mine runs S.D cards and Flash drives. It will take a disc but I have all my music on hard drive these days so easier to just drag and drop and got 1k songs to choose from in the car.

 

[television]

Do they still make tape decks anymore? Mine runs S.D cards and Flash drives. It will take a disc but I have all my music on hard drive these days so easier to just drag and drop and got 1k songs to choose from in the car.

No one makes a cassette player anymore

 

[TOSHA]

As a new owner, my car has the original radio/cassette player fitted.

I'm interested in fitting my Sony Radio/CD player. So I guess the same question applies.

Will it directly swop with the old unit, and how will it affect the steering controls and etc?

I take it the Merc steering controls will no longer function if I go ahead and fit my player.

Regards

 

[taxii]

If its the same as all the other cars Ive had then no it wont. I know there used to be a connector for sonys to allow them to use existing steering controls but IIRC they weren't cheap. I would still go for quality of sound even if it meant loosing the steering controls though and sony do some nice head units although I have a pioneer in mine at the mo as I tend to use amps and components and the pioneer gives a really good balance of control and sound quality but for every day use I would prob go back to sony as long as they still do the explod as it had a lovely deep puncy bass as standard.

 

[TOSHA]

Thanks Taxii

I'm not too concerned about the steering controls working for my Sony, mainly concerned that it wouldn't cause any issues with the car system as everything seems to run like a PC bus, and didn't want problems with the comms system on the car.