Retro ICE for a R129

[pcn1]

The non original Kenwood radio / cd /sat nav system (Auto changer and a sat-nav box in the boot) has died in my R129.
I intended to just by a mid-price system like the Alpine CDE-205DAB. The blue lights would match the cars paint.

However the ICE fitters have recommended a more expensive Continental CDD7418OR system to replace it. They say its retro of the 80's / 90's German car radio's systems of that time and is popular with their customers who have cars of that period.

Any opinions chaps ?

Thanks

[vpr]

Becker or Blaupunkt would always be my choice for period noise in a Merc

[DKL]

There's a VDO badged range too. I think they are made by continental but have different colours. I don't recall them being that pricey.
http://www.vdoshop.co.uk/acatalog/TR712UB-BU.html
https://www.vdo.com/special-vehicles/audio-product...

see this thread for one in situ in a 993
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I'd still look at Becker ones though.

[Deefor62]

I had a Blaupunkt Stockholm fitted to my early R129, but the DAB never worked properly. I also found the buttons to be very small and difficult to see or operate
I ended up refitting the original old Becker with nice big buttons, and bought a cheap FM transmitter so I could play music through my iPhone.
You should be able to pick up a true period unit reasonably cheaply, and there’s a myriad of FM transmitters you can get to Bluetooth your phone to.

[eccles]

I was after bluetooth and DAB for my '84 230CE and the Continental CDD7418UB-OR was about the only modern car stereo that looks vaguely period and has all the features I was after.
I bought direct from the webshop on their website (cheaper than ebay etc) and fitted it myself. It's been in for a few months now and I'm really happy with it.

[pcn1]

Is that the web shop based in the Netherlands ?

[eccles]

pcn1 said:

Is that the web shop based in the Netherlands ?

No, it's based in the west midlands. Go to the UK shop, add it to your basket, then check out and pay. You should then get a confirmation email, and the radio comes from Germany ( very quickly!)

[Bobo W]

I guess you have to weigh up originality v features of modern ICE.

The Continental model is fine but still looks modern and how do you play your 80's cassette tapes?

FWIW I bought a period Blaupunkt for my 87 BMW E24 and had an iPod connection hardwired in. In terms of functionality that's all I'm after.

[pcn1]

Found the shop and ordered one

Was your unit branded with the VDO or Continental logo?

Cheers

[eccles]

pcn1 said:

Found the shop and ordered one

Was your unit branded with the VDO or Continental logo?

Cheers

Mines a Continental one, I believe the VDO one is the same but with blue backlighting.

[benny.c]

eccles said:

I was after bluetooth and DAB for my '84 230CE and the Continental CDD7418UB-OR was about the only modern car stereo that looks vaguely period and has all the features I was after.
I bought direct from the webshop on their website (cheaper than ebay etc) and fitted it myself. It's been in for a few months now and I'm really happy with it.

Do you know if it will play music from an iPhone / iPod? The tech info on the site isn’t that comprehensive.

[alabbasi]

I bought one for my Porsche 928 S4 but have not yet installed it. I have a factory radio in my 98 SL500 and it sounds great.

[eccles]

benny.c said:

eccles said:

I was after bluetooth and DAB for my '84 230CE and the Continental CDD7418UB-OR was about the only modern car stereo that looks vaguely period and has all the features I was after.
I bought direct from the webshop on their website (cheaper than ebay etc) and fitted it myself. It's been in for a few months now and I'm really happy with it.

Do you know if it will play music from an iPhone / iPod? The tech info on the site isn’t that comprehensive.

It has bluetooth connectivity, so I assume whatever is streaming it will play. My phone is android, and it streams fine. It also has an aux in fly lead on the back, so I assume you could connect through that. You may well need an extension to the fly lead as it's pretty short.

Don't expect a comprehensive manual with it either, the one in the box is just a few pages

[benny.c]

Thanks. I’m looking for something for my E30 and this looks like it could be OK

[pcn1]

Bobo W said:

I guess you have to weigh up originality v features of modern ICE.

The Continental model is fine but still looks modern and how do you play your 80's cassette tapes?

FWIW I bought a period Blaupunkt for my 87 BMW E24 and had an iPod connection hardwired in. In terms of functionality that's all I'm after.

If I happen to come across an original player for my model, (at a reasonable price) I might buy it just so I have one to keep the originality.
Same goes for sourcing some original alloys. Rest of the car, apart from the AMG alloys, is original. I almost had rear parking sensors installed, but changed my mind thinking it wont look stock, and I could spent that money elsewhere.

Anyway, I don't have any tapes !

[alabbasi]

pcn1 said:

If I happen to come across an original player for my model, (at a reasonable price) I might buy it just so I have one to keep the originality.
Same goes for sourcing some original alloys. Rest of the car, apart from the AMG alloys, is original. I almost had rear parking sensors installed, but changed my mind thinking it wont look stock, and I could spent that money elsewhere.

Anyway, I don't have any tapes !

I'll share a highly technical write up on how you could integrate an ipod/mp3/phone to a retro head unit. Please make sure I get credit if you share it among your classic car friends