My European -92 500E has the sound system option which I believe is part of the standard equipment on your US versions. The system has a Becker Silverstone 0980 CD changer in the trunk. On my car the CD changer doesn't work. I've searched for companies that repair these units. No luck so far, it appears even Becker of North America has stopped repairing these units. An option is to install a "new" CD changer. Do any of you guys know if there's a substitute for the Becker 0980 that is compatible with the rest of the system?
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Which CD changer will fit -92 500E?
- Thread starter Ingvar
- Start date
I think unfortunately you have to go with the Becker unit, with the pre-facelift stereo systems. 600Eric knows more about this, because he was recently in contact with Becker North America, to discuss options.
I believe they have "refirb" CD changers for sale, but Becker NA will NOT fix units sent to them for repair. It may be best to purchase a used but working unit if you really want this functionality.
For the later "facelift" Alpine/Becker units used in the US cars (1994 and 1995 W124 models) there are a number of aftermarket CD changer units that are available even today that will fit these models, including Alpine branded units.
There is a specialist I personally know in German car radios on the outskirts of Munich who is a real wizard at refurbishing and repairing all types of Becker equipment, CD changers included.
He is Croatian and only speaks German and Croatian, unfortunately not English or Norwegian. But, he may be worth contacting to see if he can assist. I have visited him three or four times over the years and he is a real electronics MASTER/WIZARD with these Becker, Blaupunkt, and other brands of car radios.
His name is Janko Micevic.
http://www.oldtimerradio.de/shop/
Classic Autoradio Station
Janko Micevic
Grandauerstr. 10
80997 München
Tel. +49 (0)89-89712046
I believe they have "refirb" CD changers for sale, but Becker NA will NOT fix units sent to them for repair. It may be best to purchase a used but working unit if you really want this functionality.
For the later "facelift" Alpine/Becker units used in the US cars (1994 and 1995 W124 models) there are a number of aftermarket CD changer units that are available even today that will fit these models, including Alpine branded units.
There is a specialist I personally know in German car radios on the outskirts of Munich who is a real wizard at refurbishing and repairing all types of Becker equipment, CD changers included.
He is Croatian and only speaks German and Croatian, unfortunately not English or Norwegian. But, he may be worth contacting to see if he can assist. I have visited him three or four times over the years and he is a real electronics MASTER/WIZARD with these Becker, Blaupunkt, and other brands of car radios.
His name is Janko Micevic.
http://www.oldtimerradio.de/shop/
Classic Autoradio Station
Janko Micevic
Grandauerstr. 10
80997 München
Tel. +49 (0)89-89712046
Yep I actually just received all my sound system components back from Becker last week. The amps were fine (according to Becker those rarely fail) but they had to refurbish both my master / head unit as well as the receiver. Unfortunately however as much as I pleaded with them they said they are absolutely no longer repairing the Silverstone 980 CD changers as they do not have any more parts for them. In addition they did not have any to just to sell me outright.
Yep I actually just received all my sound system components back from Becker last week. The amps were fine (according to Becker those rarely fail) but they had to refurbish both my master / head unit as well as the receiver. Unfortunately however as much as I pleaded with them they said they are absolutely no longer repairing the Silverstone 980 CD changers as they do not have any more parts for them. In addition they did not have any to just to sell me outright.
That's too bad. I also received a negative answer from the guy in Germany Gerry recommended. What about this aux thing I've read about, which allows you to connect a MP3 device to the head unit? Anyone have experience with that? What's the sound quality like? Functionality, is it controlled from the head unit? I really like to keep the originality of the system, but I also need to listen to the Boss while cruising down the great Norwegian highways
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...What about this aux thing I've read about, which allows you to connect a MP3 device to the head unit? Anyone have experience with that? What's the sound quality like? Functionality, is it controlled from the head unit? I really like to keep the originality of the system, but I also need to listen to the Boss while cruising down the great Norwegian highways
I did not have Becker install the aux input as for it to function you have to install a cassette in the tape player and I just think that is kind of lame. So as it looks right now I'm going to be limited to radio use and / or the sweet sound of the 5thscaleracer custom exhaust. However I do know there is a thread on the board where someone figured out a way to install the aux input with some internal wiring connections that allowed you to use it without the cassette. If I could do that with and install the 3.5mm input inside my flip top arm rest I would be all over it.
I remember reading this thread - its not something I have tried because I don't even have a Becker unit to begin with - it was changed for an Alpine Head Unit - but would this solution work?
http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4758
http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4758
That's interesting Eric. I have a Becker-installed aux for iPod on my BE 1480 (which is basically a one-piece version of the radio in the 1992-1993 500E ... no tuner pack in the trunk) and it doesn't require a cassette to be present - I just plug the device into the jack, and it switches the radio over to AUX automatically.
A cleaner, but far more painful, solution would be to install a 1994-up stereo system (wiring harness + amps) and then upgrade to a Becker TrafficPro style head unit, which is plug+play, and has an auxiliary input for iPod. This requires pulling the entire interior out of the car (all seats, all floor carpet) and if not buying the harness new, you get to do the job twice - first on the donor/wrecked car, then on the recipient. I plan to be the guinea pig for this little experiment on my Almandine 1993. Good times!
Lucky you then. Unfortunately the 1432 definitely requires a cassette to be installed in the deck. I personally witnessed this with a '92 Matt had at his shop that was retrofitted with the aux input. In addition the guy I dealt with at Becker also confirmed it because I specifically asked the question and subsequently expressed my thoughts on the issue (i.e. it sucks)
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This is the thread I was looking for! This is the best solution, IMO. It was also the '93 model year fittment, too, except that the dealer sourced changer had MB branding on it. This set up is what is in my '93. I can see if the interface boxes are still available from someone...
Thanks txbrit!
A cleaner, but far more painful, solution would be to install a 1994-up stereo system (wiring harness + amps) and then upgrade to a Becker TrafficPro style head unit, which is plug+play, and has an auxiliary input for iPod. This requires pulling the entire interior out of the car (all seats, all floor carpet) and if not buying the harness new, you get to do the job twice - first on the donor/wrecked car, then on the recipient. I plan to be the guinea pig for this little experiment on my Almandine 1993. Good times!
Good idea and that would be sweet. Unfortunately for me I am getting too many irons in the fire and all this "bonus" stuff I keep adding to the project (ex. unnecessary external oil cooler) are starting to really kick my check book's ass
Great post / instructions from Dbreid. I wonder if the actual MB branded changer will also work since correct me if I'm wrong was made by Alpine anyway (same pin configuration on connector). Klink yes can you look into the availability of a MX-1392 interface and see if by chance they are available? Looks like the MB part number is: 002 820 3289
I'll check around. And yes, all of the seperate chassis MB branded CD changers since the original 10 disc Becker Silverstone (RIP) are done by Alpine.
FWIW, that is an old Sony sourced 10 disc transport that Becker used in the Silverstones, so if someone has any of those laying around in a scrap heap, they can be useful for parts...
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How did you manage that... all those years ago? You must have used the "line out" on the deck, correct?
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