best upgrade from 1432

[dbb7697]

Hello Everyone-
I want to update my head unit to a better option. I would like to keep as stock as possible.
Would not mind going with a porsche head unit. Being the car is a porsche and mb!

I know of this website http://www.beckerautosound.com/
They recommended this model http://www.beckerautosound.com/mercedes_4602/index.html

Just looking for opinions. I am an AM guy mostly but do listen to music every once and a while.
Thanks for the opinions ahead of time.

 

[gsxr]

I have the 4602 in one of my cars... it is 100% plug-in for 1994-95 models, no wiring changes needed. However you will lose the CD changer controls, as the 4602 cannot control a CD changer. You can get an iPod input cable though which is nice. I really, really like the 4602 as it looks like it came from the factory and it works very well. The 10 radio station presets are sweet. The main drawback is the cost... i think it's over $500 now, ouch.

If you have a 1991-1993 car, you're hosed - nothing is a drop-in upgrade for those years.


Here's a photo of the 4602:

 

[dbb7697]

the becker boys in nj are telling me that it will work in my car. plug and play.
$500 + is the price. a bit steep. they give back $80 on the old radio

 

[gsxr]

What year is your car?

Here are photos of the rear of the 1432 and the 4602. Better ask the Becker Boyz what kind of adapter harness they have to make this plug & play. I think they're wrong....




4602:

4602:

1432:

 

[fastcar]

I have a1992 E500,, European spec,, imported form Japan,, Original unit has been replaced,, and I want to replace it because it's (crap),, SO ,, what choices do I have???
1.
2.
3.
4.

 

[DerFuror]

I own a 1993 500E and just completed a sound system overhaul of the previous owner’s klusterschtupp. The PO's intent to upgrade to more modern high quality technology was admirable, yet the application was rank amateur. If self-installed, the PO should have hired a pro. If “pro” installed, the PO was woefully ripped off. (for instance, one speaker was wired backwards & died as a result, some wiring selection was too small of a gage for its application, a predominant amount of wire was run unprotected under the carpeting resulting in worn insulation & premature corrosion, too much wire slack on the amp end while not enough slack on the head unit end, & some RCA signal wire wasn’t even connected at the HU end!)

The most egregious act committed was the liberal snipping of some original wiring and its associated adapters. Thus no going back to original equipment without a lot of time & effort (possibly a future wintertime project if I can find nothing better to torture myself with…). I like to include the feature of reversibility if at all possible.

The PO's head unit was a decent JVC make, but I just couldn’t see it in a Benz (I’ve always associated Benz audio with something along the lines of Becker, Blaupunkt, Grundig, Proton or Alpine). After being blown away with the sound and looks of a head unit I installed in my brother’s RV last summer, I decided to buy the same; an Alpine CDA-105 delivered new for around $150. This link provides a lot of info & reviews of the item: http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_500C ... ml?tp=5684

To me, the inexpensive CDA-105 provides serious bang for the buck with its ability to utilize modern goodies such as Bluetooth, Ipod, USB, satellite radio, etc. Also, renting the use of an Alpine IMPRINT sound processor for a weekend will provide you with a sound quality equaling or exceeding a head unit costing hundreds of dollars more & a sound system costing thousands of dollars more. I did the install job myself because I usually like doing that kind of work, am pretty good at it & I know it will be done to the degree of thoroughness a car of this pedigree requires/deserves. It also gives me the best opportunity to "learn" my new car.

I replaced the beat German-made MBQuart matched component front speakers with the latest generation of the similar 90W Discus DSE213 (5.25" midwoofs, 1"titanium tweets & passive xovers). The existing rear speakers are Soundstream PCS.52N 150W 5.25" 2ways. The speakers are all currently powered by an Alpine V12 MRV-F250 160W amp. A single MBQuart Discus DWG254 250W 10" sub is powered by a Directed Electronics Xtreme 1500X 250W Monoblock amp.

I replaced all speaker wire with a minimum of 14ga. All connections & terminals were given a good inspection and replacement where necessary. I ran the wiring thru the existing protective chaseways running front to back on both sides of the floorboards. Any exposed wiring was encapsulated in protective loom with proper slack & anchoring provided on both ends.

Everything works as intended & I am quite happy with the result. A side benefit of this project is that since I had to disassemble quite a bit of the interior, I was able to thoroughly clean/vacuum everything, and fix anything that may have been broken or loose such as little plastic attachment tabs & covering on interior panels.

The final step is to finish running the USB cord into the telephone console which will fit a mini portable hard drive capable of holding my entire audio library. These truly are wonderful cars.

 

[DerFuror]

I’ve opted to locate the portable hard drive within the roll top console instead of the telephone console. The advantages of this location are its proximity to the audio head unit, the console’s ability to be locked shut & the relative ease of installation.

The selected portable hard drive is a new Toshiba Canvio 640GB USB2.0 ( way overkill from a storage capacity standpoint…) purchased very reasonably from Amazon.com for under $100. Originally spec'd to reside within the armrest, this item fits easily within the confines of the roll top console, takes up very little space & generates negligible heat. My entire audio library of approximately 500 compact discs ripped in mp3 format barely dents the available storage space of this hard drive (I will most likely transfer these files during the off-season to a smaller capacity portable hard drive & use this one for home computer backup duty). Prior to ripping audio, the drive had to be reformatted from its default NTFS to FAT32 protocol to ensure compatibility with the Alpine head unit.

I ran a USB cable of suitable length alongside existing electrical harnesses from the audio head unit to the roll top console area after first removing the roll top console, shifter gate trim ring & wood veneer trim plate. A hole large enough to accept the mini USB end connector & cable filter was drilled thru the bottom of the roll top console. A suitably sized W124 floorplug secures the cable thru this hole.

The system tested successfully & I’ve been enjoying it ever since. Besides the convenience of having every song I want to hear at my disposal, I truly enjoy the tidiness & safety factor of not having any clutter from loose CDs and their jewel boxes in the car.

 

[2phast]

Hmm, well all of the stock equipment in the W124 was probably ok in its day, but is extremely dated technology wise today. Even the speaker placement is not optimum for the passengers.

Everything in my car was gutted, rewired and/or replaced. But, its a KISS design (Keep It Simple Stupid).

For the head, I use a Pioneer DEH-P980BT with a Ipod interface. If your not familiar with this head unit, look it up. It has incredible DSP capabilities built in (time alignment, pink noise generator, BBE, parametric eq etc.). Furthermore, its internal Mosfet 50 amplifier provides enough power to run the front/rear speakers. (also has bluetooth for handsfree)

Speakers are all Infinity Kappa, 4" in the front and 5/25" in the rear deck. The door subs are a bit tricky, couldn't run Infinity's in that location as your limited to about 2" of mounting depth. In those locations I run a Kenwood coax (its the best I could find with such a limited mounting depth) and as you can obivously tell, they are not used for low frequencies.

The door amplifiers were replaced with a small 25 watt ADS amplifier and it receives a low level signal from the headunit. Going back to the headunit, it also has built in high/low pass crossovers, so internally its set for all frequencies 120hz and above to the coax speakers (Infinity passive crossovers split the signals for the mid range/tweeters). The sub receives signals from 120hz and down.

As for the sub, I use a Infinity Basslink T, which is a self contained, self amplified enclosure. There is a single 10" sub and two 10" passive radiators. Internal power is rated at 250 watts. No modifications were needed for the sound to get into the cabin and at its widest point, the Basslink is about 7" wide, so it does not consume much of the trunk space.

 

[michel]

The best option imo is a becker cascade pro, a great machine. Have it for 2 years now

navigation from a HD instead of a DVD
BT is good with almost every telephone

 

[maw1124]

I own a 1993 500E and just completed a sound system overhaul of the previous owner’s klusterschtupp.

Der Furor, I have a '92 car with the Becker original component system, trying to go to an Alpine CDA-117 and a powered sub in the trunk. I want the cabin speakers to run directly off the head unit. Can I do that without extra amps and crossovers? Are the door speakers grounded in the door? Do I lose the fader attenuator, or can I use it as the subwoofer gain? Or does the Alpine head unit take care of all of that? How did you handle the factory fader in the center console of the car with your Alpine set up? Thanks in advance. I know it looks like a lot of questions. Best regards,

maw

 

[jhodg5ck]

I'm just finishing a Nak CD400 install, w/ a bit of help from AMG Dave it's gone Well. I'm keeping the rear and door panel speakers stock, changing the fronts out for rainbows..
For a sub I'm going a-la 2Phast, except the Infininty bit is NLA, but that's OK, as MTX makes one Just like it.. So far the interior sounds Great minus the sub, just need to set about wiring her in and we'll be Good..

If I was going to go external amplification I'd have run a CD500 or CD700 and likely an old school 6 channel amp of appropriate quality..the old PPI/Diamond Audio amps are Spectacular and can be had on the 2ndary market for the price of a craptastic/chinese new crap.

Will post thoughts once stereo is Totally squared away!

Jono

 

[DerFuror]

How did you handle the factory...

My advice is to research existing ICE threads here & other Benz sites on this subject. You’ll see examples of where it is possible to use the existing wiring circuitry & components if you select compatible replacement equipment (as some members here have). My ICE replacement path was determined for me, so I didn’t delve too deeply into the circuit & component compatibility subject.

My E’s previous owner’s actions made my choice simple...completely redo what the PO had done. The PO had:

• done a sh*tty job of cutting or bypassing most all original wiring circuits with "new" ( I had visions of the PO’s “ICE-ace” nephew successfully lobbying to do the job…"it’ll be swell, Unc, I promise. Here, hold my can of Jolt & listen to this! PooF!")
• replaced the Becker HU & all speakers with new + SW
• decommissioned/replaced the Becker tuner/amp (still in trunk) with 2 new amps.

My Alpine HU controls all fading & SW attenuation functions. The factory fader in the center console has been decommissioned. My replacement front component speakers came with passive crossovers. Hi/low crossover function can usually also be controlled via HU &/or amp. It is my understanding that the original system had built-in crossover function at the speaker level. My replacement door speakers use the original door speaker enclosures but not its original input wiring at the enclosure connector.

Other members here who are using the existing wiring may be able to be more help with your request, but my understanding regarding the pre-94 Es is that flexibility of using the existing wiring with ICE upgrade is limited.:|

 

[maw1124]

My advice is to research existing ICE threads here & other Benz sites on this subject. You’ll see examples of where it is possible to use the existing wiring circuitry & components if you select compatible replacement equipment (as some members here have). My ICE replacement path was determined for me, so I didn’t delve too deeply into the circuit & component compatibility subject.

My E’s previous owner’s actions made my choice simple...completely redo what the PO had done. The PO had:

• done a sh*tty job of cutting or bypassing most all original wiring circuits with "new" ( I had visions of the PO’s “ICE-ace” nephew successfully lobbying to do the job…"it’ll be swell, Unc, I promise. Here, hold my can of Jolt & listen to this! PooF!")
• replaced the Becker HU & all speakers with new + SW
• decommissioned/replaced the Becker tuner/amp (still in trunk) with 2 new amps.

My Alpine HU controls all fading & SW attenuation functions. The factory fader in the center console has been decommissioned. My replacement front component speakers came with passive crossovers. Hi/low crossover function can usually also be controlled via HU &/or amp. It is my understanding that the original system had built-in crossover function at the speaker level. My replacement door speakers use the original door speaker enclosures but not its original input wiring at the enclosure connector.

Other members here who are using the existing wiring may be able to be more help with your request, but my understanding regarding the pre-94 Es is that flexibility of using the existing wiring with ICE upgrade is limited.:|

Got it. After much wrangling with Crutchfield, that's where my installers came out. They've serviced the car for the past 15 years, so they know it inside and out. With new HU's and powered subs, that OE Fader is obsolete. Now it's just a matter of figuring out what to do with that space. Maybe a space for the iPod connector, as others have mentioned. I'll find those posts. Thanks for your time.

maw

 

[jhodg5ck]

Just an update..finished roughing in the sub and giving it a Whirl w/ everything laid in place.. I've got to say I'm impressed! The new front drivers helped add a Lot of clarity when coupled w/ the superior processor in the Nak. Couple that w/ the MTX sub in the trunk and it can MORE then fill in just about Anyone's bass needs... For my taste if can be set to Very nicely fill in the kick drum but remain reasonably transparent otherwise..the adjustable gain from inside the cabin is a mighty handy feature.
This is a 94 500E so thankfully No analog fader in the dash, and as it's wired I can control F/R through the head unit so that All is Well!

One other Nice bit about the MTX sub, you can pull your input off the rear speaker wires...wasn't terribly sure how well that would work as previously I had only done sub out off the HU, but I'm pleasantly surprised..! W/ the built in adjustable EQ on the MTX it tailors out quite well. Remote was easy to spot on the rear amps, and of course power and ground were a Breeze All that's left is to re-assemble/clean things up and we'll be set.. I'll snap some photos when it's all back in.

jono

 

[gsxr]

Jono, that's very cool! Got a photo, and maybe a model number of that MTX box...?

 

[DerFuror]

Here's a good idea. An MTX SW sporting a horizontal mounting feature that helps maximize useable trunk space. Mount up & out of the way under the rear deck.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_236XTL210P/MTX-X-ThunderLink-XTL210P.html?search=mtx+subwoofers

 

[maw1124]

Here's a good idea. An MTX SW sporting a horizontal mounting feature that helps maximize useable trunk space. Mount up & out of the way under the rear deck.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_236XTL210P/MTX-X-ThunderLink-XTL210P.html?search=mtx+subwoofers

I'm going with the Sound Ordnance B-8pt (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_777B8PT/Sound-Ordnance-B-8PT.html?tp=114) and am trying to mount it the same way. I will send pics of the install when it's done. If I have to move to the MTX to get there, I don't know if I think it's worth all that. I've asked my guys to try to use the bracket that formerly held the CD changer to bracket the Sound Ordnance. We'll see how that goes.

maw

 

[maw1124]

Update here: The Alpine head unit is wonderful. The Sound Ordnance turned out to be a waste of time. It didn't mount where and how I wanted it to, nor did it deliver enough bass to make it worthwhile even if it did. So I returned it for a refund. The installation was a bear (as some of you already know, the car being a '92), with a factory system that can perhaps best be described as byzantine. The saving grace was the installer -- the guys at German Cars of Sarasota -- who've maintained this car for over a decade. So while the car was apart, I also had them take out the carpet and steam clean it. They basically had to take the interior completely out to do the install correctly. While I was at it, I also had the center console (which was sun-fading) dyed black. That, with the new stereo, completely changed the look and feel of the interior cabin. And since it's all pre-wired for a subwoofer, I'm going with a Rockford Fosgate R300-10 in the trunk to carry the low end. The factory speakers are sufficient for me, with a sub carrying the low end. I'll try to figure out how to post some pix.

Best,

maw

 

[maw1124]

If this works, it'll give a fairly good before / after perspective. I also put new wheels, tires, clear corners, smoked tails, bulbs all around, drilled rotors and stainless steel lines on the car.

 

[bing]

same here, nothing happens when I try to upload recently.

 

[gerryvz]

Hmm.... I'll test-upload a couple of files. I wonder if the software update broke something. If so, I'll troubleshoot and fix it tonight.

 

[gerryvz]

I just uploaded two PDF files just fine, so the upload system seems to be intact.

If nothing happens you may be hitting the size limitations -- either file size or the image display size on the screen. Please make sure your images are less than about 2 MB in file size, and are reasonably sized to display on the screen (i.e. not super-sized images). Super-sized images will not display/upload. You have to resize them downward.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[maw1124]

Let's try this one... Thanks, Gerry.

maw

 

[maw1124]

Final update here. Nods to Gerry again for his support of the factory speakers. I left all the cabin speakers stock and added the Rockford Fosgate r300-10 in the trunk. The sound is amazing. With the sound-shaping ability of the Alpine head unit running factory cabin speakers, the Rockford adds musical low end power (150w RMS, up to 150Hz) that approaches live concert sound (inside the car, not outside). Pianos sound like pianos. Upright basses sound like upright basses, etc. Male vocals (Sting, Bob Marley, Fela, Mos Def) sound true. No boom, just crisp, musical low end.

So for $600 in gear, you can completely transform the living and driving experience of the car. The only real wildcard is the install.

Happy trails,

maw

 

[DerFuror]

I'll snap some photos when it's all back in.

Been waiting. Is it all back in yet?

 

[maw1124]

That last update turned out not to be so "final" after all. Alpine has come out with a 4x45 "power pack" which is a slim fit, plug and play mini-amplifier that goes with their latest head units (Alpine KTP-445). I had the guys tuck one behind the passenger footwell, where a lot of folks used to tuck radar detectors. It made a world of difference. Cabin speakers are singing better than before. So if you're thinking about head units, think Alpine and include the Power Pack.

Cheers,

maw

 

[DerFuror]

Try a Nakamichi CD 400/500/700

Alt, if you want Period correct their TD line of head units.

Imho, the only aftermarket solution that never looked aftermarket.

Jono

I don't know, Jono. Lots of praise, but almost 7 years & still no pics.

 

[jhodg5ck]

I don't know, Jono. Lots of praise, but almost 7 years & still no pics.

Yea....I'm bad about that these days. Both the e's are up in the air/still on their storage rack for winter...

I've got 400/500's in the Hammers.

I think the coupe is at least on the ground.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[DerFuror]

Yea....I'm bad about that these days...

2,333 to be exact.

 

[LWB250]

While it would involve an ampectomy, the Continental head units are nice and look period correct. Not to mention they’re not expensive and contain all the latest technology, such as Bluetooth and mp3 capability. I have used them in W126 and R129 models with great success. With standard DIN connectors, they’re plug and play for later models.

You can find them for less, but here’s a site with details:

https://www.bergvillfx.com/index.php/products/car-audio/head-units/continental-tr7412ub-or.html

Dan

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Cheers Dan, good to see you here too!

I must admit, I do miss the days of quality head units made by Nakamichi and Alpine of the years past.. I agree with Dan on appearance from Continental, from all the modern and "available" units, Continental looks very well at home in MB of that era! Particularly well suited if one is keeping the stock appearance and other components. Not exactly too many features to build a complex sounds system, but very well built and good looking unit for period correct appearance.

Regards,
D

 

[gsxr]

Coupla threads on some different Contis:

https://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9993

https://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9057

Just to clarify for anyone reading, NONE of these (or any other head unit) are a plug+play replacement for the 1432. A whole lotta changes goin' on if you want to ditch a 1432.

 

[LWB250]

Cheers Dan, good to see you here too!

I must admit, I do miss the days of quality head units made by Nakamichi and Alpine of the years past.. I agree with Dan on appearance from Continental, from all the modern and "available" units, Continental looks very well at home in MB of that era! Particularly well suited if one is keeping the stock appearance and other components. Not exactly too many features to build a complex sounds system, but very well built and good looking unit for period correct appearance.

Regards,
D

Likewise! Good to see you here!

The Continental has gained a significant amount of popularity amongst the W126 and R129 crowd, as DV can attest to. In the R129, at least the later models with the Bose system, the DIN connections make it nearly 100% plug and play. One of the power wires has to be reversed as for some reason it's backwards from the way Mercedes wired the stock radio, but other than that you can swap one into your car in literally five minutes. I had one in my 350SDL and was really pleased with it driving the stock Becker amplifiers.

And yes, Dave, any of these older "component" Becker systems are a challenge to replace with a later model, traditional head unit. I try to make the most of mine as I have done the conversion more times than I care to, as well as having to try and reverse the damage some ham-handed "stereo guy" did to the system in their attempts to "modernize" it.

Dan

 

[Jlaa]

Been waiting. Is it all back in yet?

I don't know, Jono. Lots of praise, but almost 7 years & still no pics.

Yea....I'm bad about that these days. Both the e's are up in the air/still on their storage rack for winter...

2,333 to be exact.

Hi @DerFuror I thought I'd provide a friendly update. It is no longer 2,333 days since the promise of pictures from @jhodg5ck has elapsed. It has now been two thousand nine-hundred seventy (2,970) days. Or, eight years, one month, and 17 days.

Alternatively, 424 weeks and 2 days, or, two hundred fifty-six million, six-hundred eight thousand seconds.
In other words, more time has elapsed since this promise than it took for the world to fight two world wars.