How many of you have upgraded your ICE?

bobby · 10-11-2008, 01:06 PM

Just considering my next mod, and wondered how many members here have updated their ICE?

I'm getting tired of tinny bass!

I've heard the way to do it would be to update new speakers, amp, sub etc.

If you have done it, has it transformed the car for you?

desilva · 10-11-2008, 01:08 PM

Getting rid of the Audio 10 in my W202 was the best thing ive ever done for my ears

. Replaced it with an Alpine unit and it made a massive difference immediately.

Then getting rid of the stock Mercedes speakers....another improvement.

bobby · 10-11-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desilva

Getting rid of the Audio 10 in my W202 was the best thing ive ever done for my ears

LoL that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

ADY1983 · 10-11-2008, 01:15 PM

I upgraded mine from nothing it was a huge improvment

I do like my ICE I have a couple of 12" JL W3's, Vibe Mono Block, PG Amp and a couple of sets of Rockford components but have never got round to installing it all

ROBB · 10-11-2008, 01:34 PM

Yes indeed - But i've opted to stay with the audio 10 for o/e appearance and anti-theft potential. There is little wrong with the units themselves and are made by Becker (in my case).
i've fitted Vibe SE-K 60 components in the front and VIbe Slick60's in the rear - with a good deal of difference for the better.

Next steps (time/money allowing) are a Vibe A3/A4 amp and an Alpine KC-430a (a-d) converter to sit on the D2B cd changer input to allow me to feed my Garmin sat nav/MP3 player (16GB

) through the car speakers

Oh - and a switched supply from the cigarette lighter to wire in the in-car charger

rob

SilverSaloon · 10-11-2008, 01:39 PM

my 124 has a new cd system in it and speakers. it was in there when i got it - if it wasnt there, then i probably would of upgraded.

I also upgraded to COMAND in my CLK.

seymansey · 10-11-2008, 01:42 PM

My W202 has a Alpine 9855R Stereo with the KC420i ipod adapter kit, pioneer factory upgrades all round and a Vibe CBR10 in the boot. Fills things out nicely and is louuuuuuuuuud.

LeighW · 10-11-2008, 01:55 PM

I've upgraded my head unit to a Pioneer MP3 player, with bluetooth, IPod connection etc, and also have a Magnat amp running a 12" JBL sub. I found this was enough, my head unit has built in crossovers so I have been able to cut the sub-bass from the standard speakers, allowing them to go nice and loud without distorting. Overall, I'm more than happy with the sound now, it hasn't cost the earth, plus it can be returned to standard when I sell the car.

Alps · 10-11-2008, 01:57 PM

bobby, next time im in london with mine i`ll give you shout and you can listen for yourself.

headunit and speakers are all very tired in the standard cars, defo worth an upgrade.

DolphiN Tech · 10-11-2008, 02:53 PM

Currently shoehorned into the SL is:

Pioneer P88RS2 + iPod adaptor
Rainbow 3-way component set in the doors.
Rear seat removed, replaced with a build containing a pair of Rainbow Vanadium 8's and an Alpine PDX 4.150 amp.

jonnylewis · 10-11-2008, 04:34 PM

I've upgraded mine, it was the 1st thing i did really, what can i say i'm a sucker for sound!

I put a dvd head unit in with componant speakers in the front, still all in the original places and covered with the original speaker grills. Well worth the effort just on the mooch now for a decent sub and amp.

maddog · 10-11-2008, 04:38 PM

I already had the bose option so i retrofitted Comand rather than fit a aftermarket head unit and lose functionality

bobby · 10-11-2008, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddog

I already had the bose option so i retrofitted Comand rather than fit a aftermarket head unit and lose functionality

I hear you.

But to install COMAND I need to take it to Holland and pay over £1000, for an old style-unit.

jontyash · 10-11-2008, 05:51 PM

Honestly bobby it's well worth upgrading, I'm just about to do it in my new car. It doesn't matter what music you like, it's the clarity that counts.

The biggest piece of advice I can give is to use crossovers. They split the sound so that only the bass frequencies go to the bass speakers, mid freq. to mid speakers etc etc...

It's great because if you do it like that, you don't need a massive amp or even need to spend too much on speakers although, like anything, get the best you can afford!

It's so worth it though, you'll enjoy it every time you turn it on!

bobby · 10-11-2008, 06:02 PM

A friend has the following system:

morel front speakers

Amp

Bass tube

Barrett Bluetooth Handsfree kit

Any views on these products?

10-11-2008, 01:06 PM	#1
bobby Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London, UK Car: 1999 C43 AMG Posts: 532	How many of you have upgraded your ICE? Just considering my next mod, and wondered how many members here have updated their ICE? I'm getting tired of tinny bass! I've heard the way to do it would be to update new speakers, amp, sub etc. If you have done it, has it transformed the car for you?

10-11-2008, 01:08 PM	#2
desilva Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Car: C230K Sport 1999 Auto Facelift Posts: 1,663	Getting rid of the Audio 10 in my W202 was the best thing ive ever done for my ears . Replaced it with an Alpine unit and it made a massive difference immediately. Then getting rid of the stock Mercedes speakers....another improvement. Last edited by desilva; 10-11-2008 at 01:22 PM.

10-11-2008, 01:34 PM	#5
ROBB Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Coventry Car: 2001 W203 C220 CDI Estate (Rare Manual!) Posts: 328	Yes indeed - But i've opted to stay with the audio 10 for o/e appearance and anti-theft potential. There is little wrong with the units themselves and are made by Becker (in my case). i've fitted Vibe SE-K 60 components in the front and VIbe Slick60's in the rear - with a good deal of difference for the better. Next steps (time/money allowing) are a Vibe A3/A4 amp and an Alpine KC-430a (a-d) converter to sit on the D2B cd changer input to allow me to feed my Garmin sat nav/MP3 player (16GB ) through the car speakers Oh - and a switched supply from the cigarette lighter to wire in the in-car charger rob __________________ W203 2001 C220 CDI ESTATE (MANUAL) TANSANITE BLUE 174K GOING STRONG ..cynicism is the product of youthful optimism & bitter experience..

10-11-2008, 05:51 PM	#14
jontyash Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fleet, Hants Car: W126 500SE Posts: 146	Honestly bobby it's well worth upgrading, I'm just about to do it in my new car. It doesn't matter what music you like, it's the clarity that counts. The biggest piece of advice I can give is to use crossovers. They split the sound so that only the bass frequencies go to the bass speakers, mid freq. to mid speakers etc etc... It's great because if you do it like that, you don't need a massive amp or even need to spend too much on speakers although, like anything, get the best you can afford! It's so worth it though, you'll enjoy it every time you turn it on! __________________ Proud owner of a W126 500SE - Risked everything to own it but got lucky and didn't get shot, dumped in the boot and re-sold on ebay when I bought it Wife also still talking to me...

10-11-2008, 01:15 PM	#4
ADY1983 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yeovil, Somerset Car: 300CE-24 Sportline, MK1 Golf GTI Campaign Edition, Scirocco GTII Posts: 1,947	I upgraded mine from nothing it was a huge improvment I do like my ICE I have a couple of 12" JL W3's, Vibe Mono Block, PG Amp and a couple of sets of Rockford components but have never got round to installing it all

10-11-2008, 01:39 PM	#6
SilverSaloon Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, UK Car: 1994 W124 E300D Estate, 1985 R107 280SL Posts: 5,936	my 124 has a new cd system in it and speakers. it was in there when i got it - if it wasnt there, then i probably would of upgraded. I also upgraded to COMAND in my CLK.

10-11-2008, 01:42 PM	#7
seymansey Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2007 Car: '98 C240T Sport Posts: 581	My W202 has a Alpine 9855R Stereo with the KC420i ipod adapter kit, pioneer factory upgrades all round and a Vibe CBR10 in the boot. Fills things out nicely and is louuuuuuuuuud.

10-11-2008, 01:55 PM	#8
LeighW Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Leicestershire Car: '00 Obsidian black CLK320 Avantgarde, '05 Mitsi Colt, '96 GMC Safari Posts: 536	I've upgraded my head unit to a Pioneer MP3 player, with bluetooth, IPod connection etc, and also have a Magnat amp running a 12" JBL sub. I found this was enough, my head unit has built in crossovers so I have been able to cut the sub-bass from the standard speakers, allowing them to go nice and loud without distorting. Overall, I'm more than happy with the sound now, it hasn't cost the earth, plus it can be returned to standard when I sell the car.

10-11-2008, 01:57 PM	#9
Alps Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: London\Essex Car: E55 2004 Silver Posts: 3,024	bobby, next time im in london with mine i`ll give you shout and you can listen for yourself. headunit and speakers are all very tired in the standard cars, defo worth an upgrade.

10-11-2008, 02:53 PM	#10
DolphiN Tech Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: May 2005 Location: Here. No, no, over here. Car: '08 Civic FD2 Type R,'95 R129 SL500, '09 Speed Triple Carbon, '97 ST1100, '79 R100/7 Posts: 1,303	Currently shoehorned into the SL is: Pioneer P88RS2 + iPod adaptor Rainbow 3-way component set in the doors. Rear seat removed, replaced with a build containing a pair of Rainbow Vanadium 8's and an Alpine PDX 4.150 amp.

10-11-2008, 04:34 PM	#11
jonnylewis Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Preston, Lancashire Car: 1998 Mercedes W202 Posts: 69	I've upgraded mine, it was the 1st thing i did really, what can i say i'm a sucker for sound! I put a dvd head unit in with componant speakers in the front, still all in the original places and covered with the original speaker grills. Well worth the effort just on the mooch now for a decent sub and amp.

10-11-2008, 04:38 PM	#12
maddog Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 722	I already had the bose option so i retrofitted Comand rather than fit a aftermarket head unit and lose functionality

10-11-2008, 06:02 PM	#15
bobby Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London, UK Car: 1999 C43 AMG Posts: 532	A friend has the following system: morel front speakers Amp Bass tube Barrett Bluetooth Handsfree kit Any views on these products?

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