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1993 Mercedes 500sl Alpine Radio Install
- Thread starter Benz
- Start date
Im looking for the wiring harness adapter so I do not have to splice my original wiring harness. My apologies for being unclear.
I did look on there but I know that the 1993 sl may have a different radio from the newer sl models so im not sure if the adapters will be the same. I have seen some for the 1994
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You have discovered the unfortunate reality. For 1993 and prior model years, the installation of an aftermarket radio is a extensive and expensive project, and the result almost always sounds terrible. That unit in your dash is not a “radio”. It is a only control unit and cassette deck for a complex system and it is connected with a dedicated data cable snake. There are no antenna, antenna control, or speaker wires routed to it. When you say your “radio” doesn’t work, you could be having a problem with your front chassis face plate, front chassis unit, rear chassis unit, the CD changer that is cabled in series between the two if you have one, etc...
Cheapest and easiest way out is usually to contact these guys. They are the USA representative and servicing center for the vendors that made the system for MB. Spend some time perusing the website too, there are some helpful links here and there.
www.beckerautosound.com
Cheapest and easiest way out is usually to contact these guys. They are the USA representative and servicing center for the vendors that made the system for MB. Spend some time perusing the website too, there are some helpful links here and there.
www.beckerautosound.com
There is NO ADAPTER, whatsoever, available for the Becker 1432 head units used in all 1991-1993 model years in USA.
Klink is 110% correct - have Becker fix the stock system, unless you want to pay a lot more money to end up with something that sounds worse.
Klink is 110% correct - have Becker fix the stock system, unless you want to pay a lot more money to end up with something that sounds worse.
There is NO ADAPTER, whatsoever, available for the Becker 1432 head units used in all 1991-1993 model years in USA.
Klink is 110% correct - have Becker fix the stock system, unless you want to pay a lot more money to end up with something that sounds worse.
Ahh well thank you for the info guys ! The only issue I have with the becker is that with my new replacement speakers the sound quality is horrible. And the cassette option stopped working
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That's the other problem with the 91-93 systems, you can't easily replace speakers and expect better sound. The factory speakers are generally unusual impedances (i.e., 2 ohm or 6 ohm), and when you replace them with "standard" 4-ohm drivers, it messes up the levels between speakers, and they also won't work well with whatever equalization is built into the factory amps.
Again, the choices are either leave everything stock, or replace every single component with aftermarket (including rewiring the entire car).
O boy the only reason I swapped the speakers was because they were all torn lol sounds like im way in over my head here
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This is why I hate the 1432 systems. Can you get used factory speakers from a different R129? I'm sure new ones are $$$, if even available.
Do you actually use cassettes, or do you use a cassette adapter for an iPod or something? Becker should be able to fix the head unit and tape mechanism.
If you attempt to get used speakers, what you find may be in poor condition, too. Also, your pickings are limited to the early model years, as 90 through 93 used the Becker system, while ‘94 on got the light years better Bose sound system which uses completely different everything. No, you could not retrofit it without essentially getting the interior in the trunk and doing lots of rewiring.
Becker Autosound can likely help you with speakers and anything else, too...
Becker Autosound can likely help you with speakers and anything else, too...
This is why I hate the 1432 systems. Can you get used factory speakers from a different R129? I'm sure new ones are $$$, if even available.
Do you actually use cassettes, or do you use a cassette adapter for an iPod or something? Becker should be able to fix the head unit and tape mechanism.
I was using a bluetooth cassette adapter ya this setup is useless overengineered crap haha
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I have zero issues with the 1492 and 1692 setups, mostly because you can replace the head unit with an in-dash CD as 100% plug+play.
The 1432 with all good components SOUNDS fine, but you can't upgrade the head unit properly (!) without massive cost and effort. And I still hate the volume toggle switch! This is the problem discussed here, the OP's system has multiple failures, and there's no easy (or inexpensive) solution.
The 1432 with all good components SOUNDS fine, but you can't upgrade the head unit properly (!) without massive cost and effort. And I still hate the volume toggle switch! This is the problem discussed here, the OP's system has multiple failures, and there's no easy (or inexpensive) solution.
I was mainly referring to sound quality, not the actual logistics and layout of the system. It's been discussed ad nauseum here about the difficulties in upgrading the 1432s, so that should be well known. It's a Herculean effort to rip it out and re-do with a better system.
The best option with the 1432 is honestly (in my book) to keep it and use it, and enjoy it for what it is. Unless you want to spend big bucks to upgrade it. But if components are bad, it's most economical just to remove and ship them to Becker North America for exchange or repair. It's not horribly expensive and IMHO the way to go if you want to preserve authenticity of the stock system.
Not putting down upgrading to a more modern unit, but I just don't think the modern "videogame" systems very much in keeping with the car. LWB's Continental system seems a nice compromise.....
Cheers,
Gerry
The best option with the 1432 is honestly (in my book) to keep it and use it, and enjoy it for what it is. Unless you want to spend big bucks to upgrade it. But if components are bad, it's most economical just to remove and ship them to Becker North America for exchange or repair. It's not horribly expensive and IMHO the way to go if you want to preserve authenticity of the stock system.
Not putting down upgrading to a more modern unit, but I just don't think the modern "videogame" systems very much in keeping with the car. LWB's Continental system seems a nice compromise.....
Cheers,
Gerry
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