Bought Becker Mexico 2330 - now what? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Made in Germany · #1 03-20-2003, 08:35 PM

So, I took the bold step and bid on E-Bay and am now the proud owner of a Becker Mexico 2330. This head unit will have to go into my '89 300 CE, ideally joined by a CD changer and some new speakers to replace some very tired stock squeakers.

Frankly, I have no idea what to do next and hope that some of you can give me pointers as to how I can complete this project.
Before I forget, I am working on a tight budget!

The unit came with some fancy looking cables. See the attached pictures - excuse the quality. What are these for and will they fit my car?

What kind of CD changer is compatilbe. I know there are two Becker Silverstone models, but those appear to rather expensive. Any other options?

I have looked through some of the older posts and have a fairly good idea what speakers I can install. But what speakers will be compatible with this head unit and do I need any special wiring?

Loads of questions - any suggestions?

Thanks for helping me out here.

Made in Germany · #2 03-22-2003, 05:32 PM

Forgot to attach the picture of the cable that came with the
head unit. Anybody who can give me some pointers?

weber92037 · #3 03-24-2003, 04:36 PM

Looks like a real challenge. What was there? The stock radio?

Made in Germany · #4 03-24-2003, 09:34 PM

The stock radio is still in. I was hoping to use the wiring
from the stock radio and just plug the 'new' Becker into the
existing wiring. No idea if this works but. Not an exprt on radio
installation, hence I am reluctant to pull everything out.

The cable came with the radio and maybe do not fit a MB.
Becker radios are quite popular in Germany (I got it of the german e-Bay site) and not unique to MB cars. So the cables
might belong to some other car make.

Willing to learn if I get some pointers.

weber92037 · #5 03-25-2003, 09:42 AM

I would suggest that you contact Scott at:

www.lajollaaudiorepair.com

He is the authority on this and has been very helpful to me in the past!!!!

goldstone · #6 03-26-2003, 08:24 PM

I think I can help out here; but first, before I put my foot in my mouth, post a picture of the rear of your new head unit.

Made in Germany · #7 03-27-2003, 12:16 PM

Eric

I'll take a picture tonight and post it. My hope was that the cable
of the current head untit would fit the Becker 2330, i.e. a clean swap. I would worry about finding a CD changer at a later time.

Thanks,
Stefan

Made in Germany · #8 03-27-2003, 09:42 PM

Eric

Herethe pictures. Excuse the quality. Is the best I seem to get
out of my little digital camera.

Do you think the existing wiring will work?

Stefan

Made in Germany · #9 03-27-2003, 09:44 PM

Oops, wrong pictures.

goldstone · #10 04-02-2003, 12:08 AM

Hi Stefan!

Sorry, I haven't checked this forum for a few days, so I only just saw the photos you posted.

Here's the story: the connectors you received with the 2330 should plug directly into corresponding connectors in your dash. This will take care of everything EXCEPT the speakers and the antenna.

The antenna's easy: you need to pick-up an adapter so you can connect your stock antenna's Motorola-style plug into the 2330's Euro-style port.

The speakers are a little tougher to connect, but if you do it right, running new wires directly from the head unit to the drivers, bypassing the stock fader and amps, you may be pleasantly surprised at how good those "very tired stock squeakers" you refer to actually are! (The 2330's internal 4x25W amp is MUCH better than the stock amplification in your '89 Benz.)

Now, I have to point out that I don't know the 300CE--I drive an '89 420SEL--so your speaker layout is undoubtedly different than mine; but the setup should be similar. Again: bypass the fader--if your Benz has one. (You'll now use the 2330's internal fader) and bypass any stock amps. If you do it as suggested, you'll have a four-way system vs. the stock "two-way with fader" system. The improvement in the audio will be dramatic.

The manual that came with the 2330 should have a diagram indicating what each pin on the rear of your unit does. Study it and note which sets of pins drive each specific speaker and be sure to keep straight the (+) and (-) polarities.

One other caveat: I have the Becker 2340 installed in my car. It is VERY similar, but not identical to the 2330 (I think the 2330 must have been intended for the European market.) Anyway, there may be subtle differences in the setup that I'm not aware of which could complicate your installation.

Oh... I almost forgot about the CD changer. ONLY the Becker Silverstone 2660 (6 disc) and 2630 (10 disc) units are completely compatible with the head unit; and alas, they are discontinued and tough to find. The 2660 was stock in older Porsches (referred to as model CDC3). They show up on eBay from time to time.

You can of course install one of those changers that utilize FM modulation to effectively "broadcast" the CD signal through your FM; but the sound quality will suffer and you will not be able to use the available features of the head unit to control it.

Finally, note that, at their core, the Silverstone changers are actually Sony units reprogrammed by Becker. The reason I mention this is to point out that there are completely compatible Sony CD magazines on the market for MUCH MUCH less than Porsche or Becker relabeled versions. (I picked-up 5 of them from a distributor in New Jersey for less than Porsche wanted for one!!!)

All I can tell you is, I absolutely LOVE my 2340. As you know, the face looks GREAT in the Benz: understated and elegant--not flashy. Most importantly, it sounds fabulous compared to the stock Becker I put-up with for years. Lastly, the shortwave feature is unique here in the US. I'm a news junkie by nature; but especially now, with our troops deployed in Iraq, listening to international broadcasts (sans advertising!) is incredibly broadening and enlightening. Bottom Line: This head unit really shortens even the longest drives!

Hope this lengthy disertation helps you with your new setup. Good luck!

Made in Germany · #11 04-02-2003, 09:43 PM

Hi Eric

Thanks for your insight. There is actually a diagram glued right to the head unit. I took an enlarged copy - some of my co-workers gave me strange looks when I placed the Becker radio on the Xerox machine. I suppose one doesn't see too many guys taking photocopies of their car radio...

Anyhow, with the help of your disertation, the diagram and the owners manual, I'll tackle this job once NJ temparatures allow me to take my winter gloves off.

Do you think a Radio Shack would keep the adapter for the antenna? Or should I give Scott at La Jolla a call if he stocks a connector of sorts?

You also mentioned that you picked up 5 (five?) CD changers
which are compatible with the Becker 2330. Are these working units and is there one for sale?

If not, what model Sony would I need to look for. The Becker Silverstone's are rather expensive, even on e-Bay.

Can't wait to get this all working. The stock unit really is rather
disappointing.

Again, thanks for your input. It is really appreciated.

Stefan

goldstone · #12 04-02-2003, 11:12 PM

Stefan,

I bought five compatible Sony 6-disc CD magazines, not five CD changers!!!

To reiterate: you MUST go with one of the Becker Silverstone changers if you want full functionality and sound fidelity. (Sorry for any confusion I may have caused.)

Yes, I would imagine Radio Shack will have the appropriate antenna adapter.

Scott and his associate, Cleeve are VERY knowledgeable about Benz installations, and if you have any tough technical questions, they are a great (and appreciated) resource around here.

For the record, I picked-up my Silverstone from a Porsche dealer in Westchester. He was upgrading a customer's sound system and sold me the stock CDC3 (aka Silverstone 2660) for $200. Shop around: they're out there. (DON'T buy the newer fiber optic Silverstone; it's NOT compatible with your head unit.)

mplafleur · #13 08-09-2005, 02:56 PM

I also have a Becker 2330 I am about to put in my 126. The radio has a sticker on it and I have a harness. They don't seem to match and I want to confirm the connection.

The sticker on the radio:

Connector A pocket
1-Speed dependant volume control (Mexico)
2-Not seized
3-Muting during car telephone calls
4-Permanent plus (terminal 30)
5-Control output for automatic antenna
6-Not seized
7-Switched plus (terminal 15)
8-Chassis (terminal 31)

Connector B Pocket are the speaker connections

I assume that all I need are speakers plus pins 4, 7, & 8 on the A pocket connected for this to work.

mplafleur · #14 08-10-2005, 08:03 AM

I've got the radio in now.

Boy, does it sound better than the old one.

mplafleur · #15 08-11-2005, 12:56 PM

But this 2330 has a different connector for the antenna.

Does anyone know where I can get an adapter?