80/90’s looking Headunit

[edition]

Hi,

Just got an r129 Mercedes and wanting to change the nasty silver JVC currently fitted.

I’m not wanting great quality or expense. £100-350 sort of budget and not wanting to upgrade speakers etc at the moment.

As the car has retro cd holder I thought it would be quite nice to keep cd functionality but I will mainly use bt music and want to be able to make calls.

I’ve seen Blaupunkt do a fair range that look suitable is the cheapest any worst than the others?

Other option is to buy an original one that’s been modified to do bt and digital radio.

The car has an electric aerial which is quite nice (:-)), would I keep this function with the above?


Any advice would be great.

[2172cc]

I've got a Blaupunkt Bremen SQR46 in my 83 Sunbeam. Really rate it with some decent speakers, it sounds pretty good. Ok the car is pretty tinny and noisy but Bluetooth and DAB /SD card well as hands free phone are more than acceptable plus looks period correct.

Edited by 2172cc on Wednesday 16th April 21:17

[andrewcliffe]

I'd be looking at the Blaupunkt Bremen SQR46 too. I know ifs now a Chinese company using the Blaupunkt name and styling, but it looks appropriate for 1980s cars.

[JohnnyUK]

Another vote for this unit - Chinese it may be, but it looks and works very well!!!

[edition]

Thanks for the advice.

Only thing stopping me is the car has a nice retro cd holder in it and the Bremen doesn’t do cd’s.

I guess if I can steam from phone cd’s won’t be used anyway.

[2172cc]

Ive got thousands of songs on a USB stick that is permanently connected to rear USB fly lead. This is tucked away for easy access if required. Much easier to access and no need for a CD changer.

[2172cc]

You can still keep the CD changer in place like I did with Graphic equaliser.

[Turbo Tina]

Those blaupunkt head units are over priced and fiddly to use and bluetooth doesn't pair well.
I've installed a few at work and personally I don't like them. Mind you that was a few years back maybe they have improved.
You can get classic radios modified to run bluetooth and still keep the simple controls.

[2172cc]

Turbo Tina said:

Those blaupunkt head units are over priced and fiddly to use and bluetooth doesn't pair well.
I've installed a few at work and personally I don't like them. Mind you that was a few years back maybe they have improved.
You can get classic radios modified to run bluetooth and still keep the simple controls.

I've not had any issues at all pairing it with my phone and connects via Bluetooth every time I use it. Granted, the buttons are a touch on the fiddly side and takes a bit of patience to get used to but it's a small price to pay I think for having a period looking units that suits my car. There is also a wireless remote control but I've never felt the need to use it. Only minor niggle is the DAB reception in some areas can be a bit flakey but then again, it's the same in my brand new Hyundai. Hands free phone calls work pretty well given that my car is a touch on the noisy side.

[Heaveho]

I've got a lovely period Alpine with 6 disc changer that I'd sell if you're that way inclined. Bought for my Mk1 MR2, but ended up doing something completely different.

[RSTurboPaul]

Nakamichi always used to have some OEM-looking stuff but it has been a while since I looked.

[MattsCar]

an early 2000's Becker Mexico Pro would look great in a R129.

However, while you can buy a lead to give Bluetooth, you won't be able to make calls as it is aux in only.

Same goes for the above Alpine and Nakamichi.

[Len Clifton]

Another vote for Blaupunkt, I put this in my 2001 Range Rover.

[MattsCar]

Just seen that Pioneer are launching a retro headunit in the next few months...may be of interest to some...

[2172cc]

MattsCar said:

Just seen that Pioneer are launching a retro headunit in the next few months...may be of interest to some...

Don't think it works quite as well as the Bremen. There's plenty of other Pioneers they could have based it on rather than that one unless there's others to follow.

[MattsCar]

From my knowledge, it is not actually based on any previous models.

[TEKNOPUG]

https://www.theautopian.com/pioneer-just-launched-...

[2172cc]

2172cc said:

I've got a Blaupunkt Bremen SQR46 in my 83 Sunbeam. Really rate it with some decent speakers, it sounds pretty good. Ok the car is pretty tinny and noisy but Bluetooth and DAB /SD card well as hands free phone are more than acceptable plus looks period correct.

Edited by 2172cc on Wednesday 16th April 21:17

Just added this under seat JBL Basspro Lite powered sub to the Bremen headunit and its made a huge improvement to the overall sound. Its so compact and fits perfectly and unobtrusively under the drivers seat. highly recommended.

[MattsCar]

TEKNOPUG said:

https://www.theautopian.com/pioneer-just-launched-...

Looking at the specs it has 3 way network mode.

To those that don't know (I know you do Tekno) this means that it has the ability to provide a fully active, with necessary crossover points, three way signal to an amplifier for either a front setup consisting of a midbass, mid and tweeter or midbass, tweeter and subwoofer.

It also has time alignment.

If you plan on running amplification, then this trumps the Blaupunkt units. A DSP would further improve it, but what you can do from the headunit, is basically a halfway house to getting a decent sound.

[alex.baker89]

Heaveho said:

I've got a lovely period Alpine with 6 disc changer that I'd sell if you're that way inclined. Bought for my Mk1 MR2, but ended up doing something completely different.

I've got one of these and can second that it's worth having. Currently got mine fitted to a Senator 24v. Great sound quality from CDs on the old 5952z as well, because it has a multi-bit DAC.