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modernised radio with a classic twist

Started by irvine, 26 March 2018, 10:37 PM

irvine

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
W116 by Neil Irvine, on Flickr

New ebay special
W116 by Neil Irvine, 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.

ptashek

#1
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
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

irvine

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.

ptashek

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/
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

irvine