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Garage => Interiors & Exteriors => Topic started by: irvine on 26 March 2018, 10:37 PM

Title: modernised radio with a classic twist
Post by: irvine on 26 March 2018, 10:37 PM
Another little side project ticked off the list this morning, what I thought was a "standard" clarion radio cassette turned out to be some upgrade/add on as my 280se was delivered to Australia without a radio. yes its a decent radio but constantly adjusting the tuner while on the move and no way to link my iPhone without something silly, really annoyed me.

Just recently a mate who's a Mercedes tech and w114 owner showed me a cheap ebay special/upgrade, its as seen in the pic a classic look with the chrome face buttons and knobs but is loaded with modern tech, Bluetooth, aux port, SD card, usb port and it can answer and call the phone like a hands free kit.
All that for $29 with free postage.

Only bad part was the appalling attempt from who ever wired in the original clarion radio. Wired using block connectors and an unfused permanent 12v live.

Old clarion PU-686A
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/811/27170057918_3fba594516_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HoVDCs)W116 (https://flic.kr/p/HoVDCs) by Neil Irvine (https://www.flickr.com/photos/113709696@N07/), on Flickr

New ebay special
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/805/40999401422_09966829ac_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/25sYDDq)W116 (https://flic.kr/p/25sYDDq) by Neil Irvine (https://www.flickr.com/photos/113709696@N07/), on Flickr

The clarion works perfect even the tape deck works great, is there any value in the old thing??? I'd prefere it to go to someone who'll make use of it.

thanks for looking,
neil.
Title: Re: modernised radio with a classic twist
Post by: ptashek on 27 March 2018, 09:16 AM
I've opted for a more mainstream upgrade, with a Blaupunkt Toronto 420BT, plus two JBL 4020s in front and a couple of Infinity Reference 5002ix in the back.
Despite being a modern unit, the 420 looks classic enough to fit the car well. The blue lighting might be not to everyone's taste though.

Here's how it all sounds:
https://youtu.be/C6JpbDmlCAg
Title: Re: modernised radio with a classic twist
Post by: irvine on 27 March 2018, 05:16 PM
Quote from: ptashek on 27 March 2018, 09:16 AM
I've opted for a more mainstream upgrade, with a Blaupunkt Toronto 420BT, plus two JBL 4020s in front and a couple of Infinity Reference 5032ix in the back.
Despite being a modern unit, the 420 looks classic enough to fit the car well. The blue lighting might be not to everyone's taste though.

Here's how it all sounds:
https://youtu.be/C6JpbDmlCAg

Could you post up some pics and a bit more info of what and how you did it??
I really wanna do something similar myself.

Cheers, Neil.
Title: Re: modernised radio with a classic twist
Post by: ptashek on 27 March 2018, 05:35 PM
Quote from: irvine on 27 March 2018, 05:16 PM
Could you post up some pics and a bit more info of what and how you did it??
I really wanna do something similar myself.

Cheers, Neil.

Here's a write-up of the entire rear speaker installation:
https://zv9485.wordpress.com/2017/09/09/installing-rear-speakers/
Title: Re: modernised radio with a classic twist
Post by: irvine on 28 March 2018, 01:18 AM
Thanks mate.

Neil.