I want to replace the head unit in my 03 C230 Kompressor. I was thinking of the Kenwood EZ500. Will this fit? What tools do I need to get the old one out with? What do I need to make the new CD Player work in my car? Any input is greatly appreciated. Also any good websites for cl type grilles, chrome tail light rims, exhaust? Thanks

 

I do Audio Video all day, Why would you want the $150 Kenwood in the dash that would look like junk?

 

here are the tools on ebay. you will probably need a dash kit and a wire harness also. your local stereo shop should have those for not too much $$.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...83986427QQrdZ1

I use kenwood head units also. you sacrifice the factory look, but the significant increase in performance and features makes up for it in my opinion.

 

hey i have a alpine iva-w220 but when i took it to a shop they told me it was gonna be like $800 to install because of the fiberoptics. what should i tell these people cause there trying to get me to but like cross overs and a amp but i just want it to work and power my sub correctly

i have a 04 c230 k

 

Let me clear some things up. We're talking about a MB so whatever retard thinks you can just run down to your local stereo shop and pick up a dash kit and wiring harness should probably stop drinking laundry detergent for breakfast. Don't waste your time on a harness b/c quite frankly you won't find one that will work with anything other than the speaker leads. You're going to have to hard wire power/ground/antenna/etc... and forget about using the illumination wire on an aftermarket radio unless you want to tap into the steering column harness. Additionally you will have to tap into the cigarette lighter harness for your accessory wire. The dash kit I used when I installed an Alpine 9857 in my last car (02 C230K SC) came with the storage pocket which I still have if you're interested? I also have the "harness" if you want to save some time splicing speaker leads but that's all the harness is good for. It took me a while to find those 2 items and even longer to locate a wiring schematic that was close enough that I could figure it out and do the install myself. You will also need the Antenna Adapter to allow your MB antenna to plug into the Aftermarket deck. I think I still have that too. If you're interested in any of that stuff let me know and we'll work something out.

If you have a shop trying to sell you a complete system and that's not what you want, tell them that. If they don't respect that then take your business elsewhere. I don't have the name of the place I bought the dash kit and harness from but I can look at my CC statement and get it for you if you want. The install is easy, just time consuming and requires a little patience. I did mine and installed JL Amps, Sub, stiffening cap, I-Pod and ran all the wiring over one full Saturday in my garage so it isn't impossible to do.

As far as fiber optics go, the shop is right to an extent. All of the main harness wires, PWR/GRND/ACC/ILLUM/SPEAKER/ANT or standard conduit copper wire. The F.O. come in to play with your CD Changer mainly, so if you aren't trying to make your MB CD changer work with the aftermarket radio don't worry about it.

One last thing to consider...If you have factory steering wheel controls for your radio you will NEVER be able to use them with an aftermarket radio. NO ONE makes or sells the interface for MB. Partly because MB uses hard wiring from the steering wheel instead of IR signals. Don't let anyone tell you different either, NO ONE makes them. Depending on your model you don't need to purchase any "special radio removal tools" either. I've taken out MB factory radios with torx head and flat head screwdrivers without damaging anything. I just bought an 07 C230 SS and had the factory iPod integration kit installed and watched the MB Tech remove the entire dash and factory head unit with....guess what???? 2 flat head and 1 torx head screwdriver so don't wast your money on tools you don't really need. Hope this helps.