What was the best audiosystem for late w124?

[SayHey]

Hi guys!

Now I am considering of changing my BE1460 system to something newer, to be able tomake good AUX input and put good CD-Changer.

As for the head unit I made a conclusiona that Becker Exquisit are the best that was put in w124, but i cand decide which system was top if the line -

This one with one black amplifier -

Or the one with two metall amplifiers -

Or something else?


And will this antenna suite soundsystem I am looking for?

 

[gsxr]

The setup with single black amp is "Active Bass" and is the basic/standard system. In USA models, this was used in low-end models (diesel sedans, etc) and in models where the high-end system was not available (wagons).

The setup with the twin silver amps is "Sound System" and was standard equipment in all .034/.036 in USA, and an optional upgrade on low-end models (diesel sedans, etc). The photo you attached shows the 1991-1993 Becker 1432 setup with remote tuner in the trunk, behind the twin silver amps; and a fader in the shifter console. The 1994-up USA models have the Becker 1432 1492 with different twin silver amps, and NO tuner module in the trunk, no fader in the console. And, each has completely different wiring harnesses.

The antenna is a more complicated question. USA models all had the fancy antenna with switching module that allowed it to also work with the factory cellular phone. The early antenna with threaded top has very expensive grommets, the late ball-top antenna has cheaper grommets. If you are replacing it, I'd only install the ball-top version. Pics here of the USA stuff:
http://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_stereo/Hirschmann/

 

[SayHey]

Thanks for the answer! Can you provide me some pics and\or part numbers of the correct twin late style amps? and may be p\n of audio harness?

I am trying to get best of factory audio)

 

[gsxr]

The USA-spec 1994-up twin silver amplifiers are p/n 124-820-17-89 (qty = 2)

The USA-spec 1994-up wiring harness is p/n 124-820-68-04

Each of these is $500 USD MSRP, but should be available for a fraction of that used. The harness takes a lot of effort to remove intact; ping Jeff Wong (captruff) or David Hendy, they both part out 124's and may have these parts available, or be able to get them for you.


NOTE - both of these items are USA-specific, according to the EPC. I have no idea what the difference is for European models!!

 

[Goran124]

Hi, i got my w124 with non original car radio so i would also like what was best original radio that came in latest EU versions?

 

[AdamCabrio]

@Goran124, here is the MB-pricelist for Germany as of Sept 1, 1995 = the latest I have on file for 124 cars: only for T-models (Wagon) and for Coupés & Cabriolets (the 124 Saloon/Limousine had been replaced by W210 by then). It lists the MB Exquisit as the (factory) top model (the right colum is the price in DM incl. sales tax), which is in fact a Becker BE1690 AFAIK, to modern standards not a particularly brilliant radio. See a pic from the period Becker catalogue.

If you wish a period correct Becker, you'll find them at Ebay or at some online specialist dealers (who offer reconditioned/refurbished examples):

Mercedes Exquisit BE1690 Cassette Becker Original Car Radio

Original Mercedes Radio Exquisit BE 1490 Cassette (CC- MC) Becker Radio. Excellent for oldtimer and youngtimer. MB Benz A 003 820 56 86 02, A003820568602, A 003 820 56 86, A0038205686, 003820568602, 0038205686

www.original-autoradio.de

 

[Goran124]

@Goran124, here is the MB-pricelist for Germany as of Sept 1, 1995 = the latest I have on file for 124 cars: only for T-models (Wagon) and for Coupés & Cabriolets (the 124 Saloon/Limousine had been replaced by W210 by then). It lists the MB Exquisit as the (factory) top model (the right colum is the price in DM incl. sales tax), which is in fact a Becker BE1690 AFAIK, to modern standards not a particularly brilliant radio. See a pic from the period Becker catalogue.

If you wish a period correct Becker, you'll find them at Ebay or at some online specialist dealers (who offer reconditioned/refurbished examples):

Mercedes Exquisit BE1690 Cassette Becker Original Car Radio

Original Mercedes Radio Exquisit BE 1490 Cassette (CC- MC) Becker Radio. Excellent for oldtimer and youngtimer. MB Benz A 003 820 56 86 02, A003820568602, A 003 820 56 86, A0038205686, 003820568602, 0038205686

www.original-autoradio.de

Thank you, you are very kind!

 

[Goran124]

I can see you know a lot about this, can you tell by loking at data card with what model of radio device car came from factory? Uf possible can you provide part number? Also as far i can see car was equiped with factory telephone but the phone and phone holder was removed. I would also like to restore that to original, if you can also privide part number for phone and phone holder?
I found these codes:
240 OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
270 ANTENNA WITH SPLITTER ON REAR LEFT FENDER (REAR RIGHT FENDER OF S/V 124) AND LOUDSPEAKER FOR D-NETWORK TELEPHONE
274 MERCEDES-BENZ D-NETWORK TELEPHONE
283 DRAFT DEFLECTOR
289 WOOD/LEATHER STEERING-WHEEL
291 AIRBAG FOR FRONT PASSENGER
300 STORAGE BOX IN FRONT TRAY
420 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 4-GEAR
440 TEMPOMAT (CRUISE CONTROL)
471 ACCELERATION SKID CONTROL (ASR)
512 RADIO MB SPECIAL WITH TRAFFIC NEWS DECODER (VK), WITH RDS
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
580 AIR CONDITIONER
600 HEADLAMP WIPER/WASHER
620 VEHICLES WITH CATALYST TECHNIQUE
653 SPORTS CHASSIS WITH 8-HOLE LIGHT ALLOY WHEELS
740 BLACK SOFT TOP FABRIC 9001
772 AMG STYLING PACKAGE - FRONT SPOILER, SIDE SKIRTS AND REAR APRON
777 TAIL MUFFLER IN AMG - DESIGN
798 AMG COMPLETE WHEELS (4 PCS.): - 7.5 X 17 ET42 225/45, 1-PIECE
819 CD CHANGER IN THE TRUNK - ALPINE
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
882 PASSENGER COMPARTMENT PROTECTION (INFRARED)
885 LOCKING SYSTEM WITH INFRARED REMOTE CONTROL AND IMMOBILIZER
957 AMG - ENGENEERING PACKAGE
980 REG. DOC. AND ABE NO. ON TY

 

[AdamCabrio]

@Goran124, that is an interesting list of codes: you have a 124 AMG cabriolet? (740/772/777/798/957) That is rare, congratulations!

As far as the 512 radio goes: I can not be sure, but from the attached Becker model overview (for "MB Special" from that era) I suspect it originally to be a Becker BE2210 or BE2211 (those were the top models for MB Special), both are still easy to find online. But may be other readers can be more precise.

Regarding the phone (code 274) & phone holder: there were 2 ways the MB-phone could be factory delivered AFAIK. Some factory phones were installed in the centre front armrest (which is then not a leather one, but a plastic one that can be opened-up sideways). Other factory phones were installed in the passenger footwell, attached to the centre console (see pic). I don't have a code for either one of those. May be someone else knows it.

 

[Goran124]

Hi,
Yes its an E36 Amg cabrio, thank you
You are correct, my car had a setup like on the pic you posted. Thank you again for your help. Maybe someone else has part number for phone holder and for phone?
Thy

 

[AdamCabrio]

So, you have the usual leather central front armrest, not this one (see pic).

 

[Goran124]

So, you have the usual leather central front armrest, not this one (see pic).

Correctly

 

[doolar]

Hi,
Yes its an E36 Amg cabrio, thank you
You are correct, my car had a setup like on the pic you posted. Thank you again for your help. Maybe someone else has part number for phone holder and for phone?
Thy

I can have a look, I have a EU original MB phone holder in grey. It’s for sale if you need it.

 

[Goran124]

I can have a look, I have a EU original MB phone holder in grey. It’s for sale if you need it.

Do you have a pic?

 

[doolar]

Do you have a pic?

Hah thought they would be hard to find, but here are pics from 11 years ago when I bought it. Same condition today, I’ve never used it.

 

[Goran124]

Oohhh, sorry its gray…wrong colour. Can you give me part number?

 

[doolar]

I’ll dig it out tomorrow and have a look!

 

[Goran124]

I’ll dig it out tomorrow and have a look!

Thx

 

[Markus-MD]

The pure Flat out Engine Sound .Are the best Soundsystem