Hi all

I am very near to buying a pre-owned 2003 E-Class Estate (the current model). This will be my first Merc and it also represents a major departure for me as up until now I have always been attracted to swish-looking coupes with attractive lines :)

I guess it's a combination of getting old :cry: and wanting more practicality for one of my interests - road biking 8) .

Anyways - I love my music and alway fit noisy (but discreet) systems to my cars. The one I have been looking at is well specified, but searching through the ads, I have yet to come across one that has the top-spec system. Also, looking through the (online) accessories catalogue, Mercedes have not listed this as an available item.

So does anyone know if this can be retrofitted to a car and the level of difficulty that is required - i.e. total rewiring etc. etc.

The parts cost alone would make it cost prohibitive. I'd hold out for a car spec'd the way you want it.

Thanks for that. But the problem as I see it is that you could wait for ever for the right spec to turn up! I've only been looking for a short while and I have already discovered that, because the options list is so expansive, car specs will vary greatly. And as well as spec other things have to be considered like condition and pricing. The car I am looking at is immaculate and is belongs to a fastideous [spelling] owner. You can almost only guarantee getting the spec you want if you buy an AMG version of the car - a bit out of my league.

I'll still need to look into this, as you don't say what the full requirement as. When you say "prohibitive" how does that compare price wise to selecting it as an option on a new car? Plus, I guess there are other ways to go to get decent audio kit in any event.

Contact Steve Krabbenborg at www.mbenznl.com He may be able to help you with retrofitting the stereo you want.

If one were so inclined, it would be around 2.5K for the amp, probably another 2K for the speakers, the head unit may or may not need to be updated (figure 4K if you have Nav), new fiber optic wiring harness 2-500, a substantial bit of labor (which you could do yourself given proper 211 interior disassembly tools), and the necessary programming via the STAR tester by your local dealer, prive will vary depending on dealer. Mind you these are all based on what these items would probably go for new from a dealer.

You coud check around all the MB boards. Some of the ricier boards have owners who scrap the entire system in order to install and aftermarket radio (the whole thing has to come out as it is all integrated) and sells the components at a substantial discount. I ended up getting the BOSE (buy other sound equiptment) system for my old C for $100 from a guy on club202. Really and truly, you should either wait or try to find such a seller. The only other option is to rip out the entire system and begin with a fresh start (including wiring). They are out there. I drove around an '06 E500 4matic sport wagon with that option up at the office this morning. Look for a well appointed car. Most high end buyers will opt to check as many boxes as possible when ordering the car.

Hi again

Well I ended up bagging a 2004 320 Avantagarde CDI Estate/Wagon. This has quite a good spec, but as I said previously, it was always likely that I would have to compromise. So I get a car that has had the front and rear bumpers changed from standard to AMG, a custom quad exhaust system and 18" rims (The rear badges have been removed so the car is badgeless and the rims are identical to factory 16" and 17" Avantgarde wheels, so the car still retains it's original charactor and does not look too much like it is trying to be something else :) ) A lot of money spent by the previous owner, and there are some things I did not like (such as the CL style grill which I have already removed!).

The car has COMAND but not the Harman Kardon upgrade. Now having had the chance to read around the subject, there seem to be wide and varied opinions and reports on the quality of this system. So what I am actually going to do is check out an audio specialist that has a good reputation with working with the marque and see what my options are as regards a custom install that integrates into the existing factory system. I will report back when I have done so.

Congratulations on the car. I hope you find a stereo system than meets you needs and budget.