W220 CD Changer - Magazine Problem

[Rose Chap]

Good evening chums,

So, my parents (who long ago instilled in me an appreciation of things well built and German) have a very nice 2002 W220 S Class, with the S Class version of COMAND, and all sorts of other toys which make it a thoroughly pleasant place to be.

However, its recently started informing them that the CD changer cannot read the magazine. Since I was visiting not long ago I tried the identical magazine from the CD changer in my CLK and had the same issue. Correspondingly, their magazine full of music played quite happily in my CLK, so we can conclude its not the magazine itself at fault so it presumably is the fault of the CD changer itself.

Given that Mercedes will probably charge an arm and a leg for what is essentially an Alpine part (I'm guessing), does anyone know...

Whether an Alpine CD changer will work properly?
What the model number of this CD changer is?
Where they can be purchased and for how much?
How easy are they to fit?

Or should the whole venture be abandoned and the dealer route be sought?

Thanks in advance!

Rose Chap

[A-AvantGarde]

You could always try ebay, I got mine off there for the W203. I think the part no is A 203 820 9089. Fitting it is pretty straightforward if you're replacing one that'a already there.

Check your existing CD chnager for the correct model number (MC number). Can't remember the model of mine but there are two or three which should be compatible.

[Rose Chap]

Thanks Avantgarde, I was trying to avoid the eBay route as its entirely possible they could end up buying another one that doesn't work.

I agree about the fitting though, as long as its the same size it should work. Anyone got the Alpine details?

[A-AvantGarde]

I don't believe that an Alpine CD Changer would work. I know that this is a similar issue to the BEcker Traffic Pro head units & Merc CD Changers as the MB CD Changers use Fibre Optics. There may be an interface or adaptor that you could use.

I believe the model number of the CD Chnager you need is MC3198. MC3010 should also work (that's the model of the one I have in the W203).

As a guesstimate a new CD Chnager from MB would probably be about £450

Ebay about £150 - £220, you may get lucky and fine one cheaper. Surely it's worth a 'risk'. Check with MB anyway you may get lucky and find they're not as expensive as we think.

Touch wood I've had no problems with ebay sourced unit. I bought from a guy that sells a lot of Mercedes stuff, I think he also does COMAND installs now so I relied on the feedback.

[Rose Chap]

Great tip, thanks Avantgarde.

Could you PM me the link to this guys eBay account? I'll keep an eye on his stock to see if a CD changer comes up.

[Shude]

Before guessing why not ask the stealership for a price? The W203 cd-changer (which I think is also fitted to the W220) was about £250 last time I asked, and that's brand new from the parts counter with 2 years warranty.

[A-AvantGarde]

Before guessing why not ask the stealership for a price? The W203 cd-changer (which I think is also fitted to the W220) was about £250 last time I asked, and that's brand new from the parts counter with 2 years warranty.

Exactly!

We always think MB parts are expensive, sometimes you can be surprised. The Changer itself may not be so expensive...



As a guesstimate a new CD Chnager from MB would probably be about £450...

...Check with MB anyway you may get lucky and find they're not as expensive as we think.