New Headunit for CLK ? ? ?

14Ben · 01-07-2009, 09:40 PM

Hi all,

My car's going to be serviced by Olly at PCS in a couple of weeks, and while he has it I was thinking about having a new headunit fitted.

I've currently got an Audio 10 in my 2002 CLK320 and am fed up having to listen to the radio non stop because I can't play MP3 disks or hook up my iPod.

I don't want to spend a fortune but was wondering if anyone could recommend a decent headunit (£150-£200) to replace the existing Audio 10 ? ? ?

With that in mind, if there is anyone interested in purchasing my Audio 10 please feel free to get in touch. The car has only done 26,000 miles and the headunit is in absolutely mint condition.

Thanks,

Ben

A210AMG · 01-07-2009, 09:53 PM

Hello

Most of the aftermarket units in my eyes look a bit max power in a merc, too many colours, buttons etc.

I have an audio 10 and have bought however yet to fit an ipod Harmon Kardon Drive uit with wired FM module.

This was around £25 from Big pockets

BigPockets.co.uk :: Mp3 Harman/Kardon IPOD Drive + Play - Refurbished £19.99

I've tried it without wiring it in if tht makes sence and seems to work well, I just need to het my head around fitting it and where to place the screen etc. OOh and the wired FM was about £10

Good cheap option?

14Ben · 01-07-2009, 09:58 PM

Thanks A210 - I was going to ask everyones thoughts on this :

SONY CDX GT828U CD MP3 USB CAR STEREO~BNIB~Q BROWZER!!! on eBay (end time 31-Jul-09 19:00:17 BST)

Having read what you mentioned about too many colours and buttons that may not be my best bet ? Amazing what you can get for under £150 now !

Any suggestions everyone ?

Thanks !

A210AMG · 01-07-2009, 10:00 PM

found the FM thing...

and its cheap

BigPockets.co.uk :: FM Transmitter Adaptor for Harman/Kardon Drive & PLAY £1.59

So £22 job done on the ipod front

Bobby Dazzler · 01-07-2009, 11:00 PM

A second hand Becker?

flanaia1 · 01-07-2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14Ben

Thanks A210 - I was going to ask everyones thoughts on this :

SONY CDX GT828U CD MP3 USB CAR STEREO~BNIB~Q BROWZER!!! on eBay (end time 31-Jul-09 19:00:17 BST)

Having read what you mentioned about too many colours and buttons that may not be my best bet ? Amazing what you can get for under £150 now !

Any suggestions everyone ?

Thanks !

This is exactly what I have fitted in my CLK coupled with a 10 cd autochanger in the boot, miles better than the audio 10 and Becker sound is brilliant and you can set it up to the acoustics of the car.

Looks too expensive though I paid £99.99 fitted from Autosounds in Barnsley for the head unit and then another £79 for the boot mounted cd multichanger which they fitted for £30 so £209 all in.

ollieclk · 02-07-2009, 02:01 AM

Becker Grandprix all the way!

renault12ts · 02-07-2009, 02:05 AM

^ + 1

fabes · 02-07-2009, 08:56 AM

Hi

I am in the same boat with an Audio 10 and IPOD (see some threads)
I was looking at this

Kenwood KDC-W7544U CD / MP3 / WMA / USB car stereo with iPod control. Get Kenwood KDC-W7544U from Car Audio Centre

or this as cheaper,

Clarion CZ209ER CD / MP3 / USB player. Made for iPod Reviews

Both I think are not too bling and either come with amber display or can switch to amber display to match cluster display

SWC units are available, but including that will nudge you to £300 plus

I am going to get this today and fit it next week as I want IPOD rather than MP3 discs - will drop a line about it when its in

Dice FM RDS | Artist Track Information | iPod Car

PS didn't go for the HK kit mentioned above as it wouidn't charge the 2G Touch I have, Dice will
Fabes

14Ben · 02-07-2009, 01:32 PM

Thanks everyone,

I'm actually swaying towards the Sony I attached the link to. The spec looks good and I actually quite like the more modern look of the headunit in comparison to the Audio 10 I currently have.

My one reservation is that the steering wheel controls will no longer work if I fit the Sony unit. A bit of a pain but nothing that will get on my nerves too much.

Any more thoughts are very welcome !

Thanks,

Ben

fabes · 02-07-2009, 02:13 PM

Ben

I don't think that Sony HU is IPOD Ready.

Read up on what that compatibility is and only having an Aux in will be a limiting compromise

Not being IPOD ready will mean that it won't charge the IPOD, you cannot control the IPOD and by all accounts volume is lower.

Longer term getting one that is IPOD ready will help resale of the car - most also have an Aux in anyway should you not have an Apple.

SWC are a necessary evil. Not retaining them is likely to be an issue on resale if thats on your mind.

If Sony do any and that HU is compatible (you could check out www.connect2.com), expect them to be £100 on top of the additional lead needed, fascia adapter and harness (and a few quid for Olly's time)

I did look at this unit, but prefered the Kenwood and Clarion as Sonys are a little too aftermarket for me.

CDX-GT45IP (CDXGT45IP) : Car audio : Sony

Have fun choosing

Fabes

jaymanek · 02-07-2009, 03:59 PM

No i got the sony Ipod connector for £12 from ebay... works great with the CDX 300 in three of my cars!

14Ben · 02-07-2009, 05:08 PM

Jay, do you think that Ipod connector would work with the SONY CDX GT828U that I mentioned earlier ?

How easy is the connector to fit and where have you got the wire coming out in the car ? I dont want it looking a mess and would be keen to avoid any random wires coming out the dash.

Thanks !

jaymanek · 02-07-2009, 05:50 PM

hmm cant find any for sale.. i got mine from iceclearout on ebay but here is one offered abroad
Sony XA-110ip XA110IP UniLink Sony iPod Interface Kit on eBay (end time 14-Jul-09 19:56:23 BST)

I had the ipod lead in my glove box and the leads from the ipod kit just plug into the cd changer connection on the stereo..

p.s. the sony units are reliable and easy to use.. I have one in the W123 and my blue SEC... I had one in the widebody until this forum convinced me i needed a becker! Becker is MUCH better built but harder to get used to and very expensive.. ipod kit for the becker is over £100 and doesnt even support newer ipods.

Also there are a few sony cd players with ipod kits included on ebay..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SONY-MEX-BT510...lenotsupported

ollieclk · 03-07-2009, 11:18 AM

Heres my own review of my becker grandprix. I replaced the audio 30 unit with the grandprix.

Becker Grandprix 7990 installed to W208 CLK - First impressions

01-07-2009, 09:40 PM	#1
14Ben Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Richmond Car: Mercedes CLK320 Posts: 112	New Headunit for CLK ? ? ? Hi all, My car's going to be serviced by Olly at PCS in a couple of weeks, and while he has it I was thinking about having a new headunit fitted. I've currently got an Audio 10 in my 2002 CLK320 and am fed up having to listen to the radio non stop because I can't play MP3 disks or hook up my iPod. I don't want to spend a fortune but was wondering if anyone could recommend a decent headunit (£150-£200) to replace the existing Audio 10 ? ? ? With that in mind, if there is anyone interested in purchasing my Audio 10 please feel free to get in touch. The car has only done 26,000 miles and the headunit is in absolutely mint condition. Thanks, Ben __________________

02-07-2009, 08:56 AM	#9
fabes Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southampton Car: c class coupe 220CDI & Zafira Posts: 324	Hi I am in the same boat with an Audio 10 and IPOD (see some threads) I was looking at this Kenwood KDC-W7544U CD / MP3 / WMA / USB car stereo with iPod control. Get Kenwood KDC-W7544U from Car Audio Centre or this as cheaper, Clarion CZ209ER CD / MP3 / USB player. Made for iPod Reviews Both I think are not too bling and either come with amber display or can switch to amber display to match cluster display SWC units are available, but including that will nudge you to £300 plus I am going to get this today and fit it next week as I want IPOD rather than MP3 discs - will drop a line about it when its in Dice FM RDS \| Artist Track Information \| iPod Car PS didn't go for the HK kit mentioned above as it wouidn't charge the 2G Touch I have, Dice will Fabes Last edited by fabes; 02-07-2009 at 09:02 AM.

02-07-2009, 03:59 PM	#12
jaymanek Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Nuneaton Warwickshire Car: 560 SEC AMG Widebody, 560 SEC AMG, W124 500E, W123 280CE, W123 200, R107-500SL Posts: 10,210	No i got the sony Ipod connector for £12 from ebay... works great with the CDX 300 in three of my cars! __________________ Mercland is listed here on MBClub please click to see services and discounts available. 1969 280SL Pagoda in Met Light Blue 1980 123-200 in Sahara Yellow 1985 123-280CE in Champagne 1988 500SL in Met Light Blue Now with Leather 1988 560SEC AMG in Midnight Blue 1989 560SEC AMG Widebody 1989 190E 2.5 Cosworth Dogleg Manual 1993 E500 Brabus in Silver with lots of toys! 1 of 29 UK Supplied Cars Gallery Link

02-07-2009, 05:50 PM	#14
jaymanek Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Nuneaton Warwickshire Car: 560 SEC AMG Widebody, 560 SEC AMG, W124 500E, W123 280CE, W123 200, R107-500SL Posts: 10,210	hmm cant find any for sale.. i got mine from iceclearout on ebay but here is one offered abroad Sony XA-110ip XA110IP UniLink Sony iPod Interface Kit on eBay (end time 14-Jul-09 19:56:23 BST) I had the ipod lead in my glove box and the leads from the ipod kit just plug into the cd changer connection on the stereo.. p.s. the sony units are reliable and easy to use.. I have one in the W123 and my blue SEC... I had one in the widebody until this forum convinced me i needed a becker! Becker is MUCH better built but harder to get used to and very expensive.. ipod kit for the becker is over £100 and doesnt even support newer ipods. Also there are a few sony cd players with ipod kits included on ebay.. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SONY-MEX-BT510...lenotsupported __________________ Mercland is listed here on MBClub please click to see services and discounts available. 1969 280SL Pagoda in Met Light Blue 1980 123-200 in Sahara Yellow 1985 123-280CE in Champagne 1988 500SL in Met Light Blue Now with Leather 1988 560SEC AMG in Midnight Blue 1989 560SEC AMG Widebody 1989 190E 2.5 Cosworth Dogleg Manual 1993 E500 Brabus in Silver with lots of toys! 1 of 29 UK Supplied Cars Gallery Link Last edited by jaymanek; 02-07-2009 at 05:53 PM.

01-07-2009, 09:53 PM	#2
A210AMG Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: England Posts: 4,536	Hello Most of the aftermarket units in my eyes look a bit max power in a merc, too many colours, buttons etc. I have an audio 10 and have bought however yet to fit an ipod Harmon Kardon Drive uit with wired FM module. This was around £25 from Big pockets BigPockets.co.uk :: Mp3 Harman/Kardon IPOD Drive + Play - Refurbished £19.99 I've tried it without wiring it in if tht makes sence and seems to work well, I just need to het my head around fitting it and where to place the screen etc. OOh and the wired FM was about £10 Good cheap option?

01-07-2009, 09:58 PM	#3
14Ben Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Richmond Car: Mercedes CLK320 Posts: 112	Thanks A210 - I was going to ask everyones thoughts on this : SONY CDX GT828U CD MP3 USB CAR STEREO~BNIB~Q BROWZER!!! on eBay (end time 31-Jul-09 19:00:17 BST) Having read what you mentioned about too many colours and buttons that may not be my best bet ? Amazing what you can get for under £150 now ! Any suggestions everyone ? Thanks !

01-07-2009, 10:00 PM	#4
A210AMG Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: England Posts: 4,536	found the FM thing... and its cheap BigPockets.co.uk :: FM Transmitter Adaptor for Harman/Kardon Drive & PLAY £1.59 So £22 job done on the ipod front

01-07-2009, 11:00 PM	#5
Bobby Dazzler Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Mittel England Car: C32 AMG (his), ML270 CDi (hers), Maclaren Volo Carbon (junior) Posts: 7,873	A second hand Becker?

02-07-2009, 02:01 AM	#7
ollieclk Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2009 Car: Skoda Octavia vRS Posts: 158	Becker Grandprix all the way!

02-07-2009, 02:05 AM	#8
renault12ts Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2009 Car: s210 E320CDI avantgarde Posts: 3,266	^ + 1

02-07-2009, 01:32 PM	#10
14Ben Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Richmond Car: Mercedes CLK320 Posts: 112	Thanks everyone, I'm actually swaying towards the Sony I attached the link to. The spec looks good and I actually quite like the more modern look of the headunit in comparison to the Audio 10 I currently have. My one reservation is that the steering wheel controls will no longer work if I fit the Sony unit. A bit of a pain but nothing that will get on my nerves too much. Any more thoughts are very welcome ! Thanks, Ben

02-07-2009, 02:13 PM	#11
fabes Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southampton Car: c class coupe 220CDI & Zafira Posts: 324	Ben I don't think that Sony HU is IPOD Ready. Read up on what that compatibility is and only having an Aux in will be a limiting compromise Not being IPOD ready will mean that it won't charge the IPOD, you cannot control the IPOD and by all accounts volume is lower. Longer term getting one that is IPOD ready will help resale of the car - most also have an Aux in anyway should you not have an Apple. SWC are a necessary evil. Not retaining them is likely to be an issue on resale if thats on your mind. If Sony do any and that HU is compatible (you could check out www.connect2.com), expect them to be £100 on top of the additional lead needed, fascia adapter and harness (and a few quid for Olly's time) I did look at this unit, but prefered the Kenwood and Clarion as Sonys are a little too aftermarket for me. CDX-GT45IP (CDXGT45IP) : Car audio : Sony Have fun choosing Fabes

02-07-2009, 05:08 PM	#13
14Ben Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Richmond Car: Mercedes CLK320 Posts: 112	Jay, do you think that Ipod connector would work with the SONY CDX GT828U that I mentioned earlier ? How easy is the connector to fit and where have you got the wire coming out in the car ? I dont want it looking a mess and would be keen to avoid any random wires coming out the dash. Thanks !

03-07-2009, 11:18 AM	#15
ollieclk Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2009 Car: Skoda Octavia vRS Posts: 158	Heres my own review of my becker grandprix. I replaced the audio 30 unit with the grandprix. Becker Grandprix 7990 installed to W208 CLK - First impressions

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