[Saskbenz]

Hi,
This is my first post. I'm getting my C230 at the end of November and I can't wait. I'm already looking for a replacement for the Cassette deck!!! On German eBay, they have a single CD unit at $320 Cdn and I was thinking about buying it. What are your thoughts? 8)

 

[Lynn]

Those who have installed it report improved sound with the Audio 10.

It will work in NA, but our AM band is somewhat different. Ours starts at 530 KHz and goes to 1700 KHz in 10 KHz intervals. The Euro AM band starts at 531 KHz and goes to 1600 KHz in 9 KHz intervals. So if you listen to AM a lot, you may not be able to receive many of the stations.

Whether or not the dealer will install the Audio 10 depends on the dealer. You can have it done at a good car audio shop., and probably pay less than you would at the dealer. There are instructions for the installation available on the W203 forum at mbworld.org.

 

[peaceV]

so if i dont listen to radio at all, the cd player works fine just like any other cd player right?

 

[Lynn]

The FM radio will work just fine. You may, and probably, will get some AM stations.

 

[peaceV]

if i get one of those from german ebay, how long will it take to arrive in canada after bidding? and will the benz dealer install the unit for me?

 

[Lynn]

I don't know how long it would take to arrive. A lot depends on how long it takes for the payment to arrive, and the method of shipping.

The dealer might install it. But some of them won't install anything that isn't offered in their market.

 

[hlea34]

what?

we are allowed to get CD players outside of mercedes dealership? i know that is possible, but i just got a C230 kompressor and the dealer said that i wasn't able to get a cd player installed outside of mercedes becuase of the the fiber wiring or something like that...and they didn't offer a single cd so i had to get the 6 cd changer cd and they gave me the discount to about 950 dollars which i think is a lot. what do you think?

 

[Lynn]

Dealers generally charge between $700 and $1200 for the obsolete Alpine changer sold by MB. You paid in the middle of that range. Where most dealer rip off the buyers of the changers is with the labor cost. My dealer chargers 2 hours for it and I know for a fact it takes less than twenty minutes.

There are a couple of places that sell the changer for $400 plus shipping. It can be installed by a competent stereo shop, and they would charge one hour of labor, but the rate is probably less than half of the dealer labor rate. It is possible to get the changer and installation for less than $500. But when the dealer installs it, it is covered by the factory warranty.

 

[peaceV]

Dealers generally charge between $700 and $1200 for the obsolete Alpine changer sold by MB. You paid in the middle of that range. Where most dealer rip off the buyers of the changers is with the labor cost. My dealer chargers 2 hours for it and I know for a fact it takes less than twenty minutes.

There are a couple of places that sell the changer for $400 plus shipping. It can be installed by a competent stereo shop, and they would charge one hour of labor, but the rate is probably less than half of the dealer labor rate. It is possible to get the changer and installation for less than $500. But when the dealer installs it, it is covered by the factory warranty.

so you mean that if i buy and install it somewhere else then it wont be covered in warranty at all?

then i guess i will pay the little extra just to be on the safe side.

 

[Lynn]

Some dealers will cover it, and some won't.

 

[TNblkC230wz]

Below are the instructions for installing the Audio 10.

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13302&highlight=audio+installation

I was given a lot of information on it at MBWorld.org
http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28567&perpage=10&pagenumber=1