My car doesnt have fiber optics, so can I buy any cd changer?

[FreeStyler]

I want to buy a cd changer either today or tomorrow. I was gonna buy the one 1SIKBNZ was selling but his cd changer was fiber optic, and i guess my 1998 c230 doesnt have fiber optics. So I was wondering if I can just go to any electronics store and buy a cd changer that fits my car and stock head unit? Also is my car pre wired for a cd changer? THanks for all the help you can give.


Later

[nokia8860]

Check behind the carpet where the battery is. You should be able to see if the car was prewired for a changer or not.

Whatever change you buy make sure its compatible with your stock unit.

[FreeStyler]

Thanks! But how do I know if a cd changer is compatible with my stock head unit? Sorry im a noob at audio.:bored:

[mbsickness]

From what I understand, you need an Alpine CD changer that operates on the MBus and an adapter to interface the prewired factory harness to the Alpine changer. Since your car is a 98 you will need the adpater that mimics the handshake protocol between the headunit and the CD changer. These run about $80 or so. There is a cheaper adapter that you can buy that typically costs about $15 but this will not work on the 96-98 headunits, be careful not to buy this or you will not be a happy camper.

[FreeStyler]

Whoa ok thats some good information. SO now I have no idea what to buy. Thanks.

[mbsickness]

Yeah I felt the same way when I started researching all this stuff. My original system was replaced with an aftermarket system and I am now trying to get the OEM headunit and changer back into the car. I have an adapter and Alpine changer in the garage if you want to see how all this stuff works together (that is unless you have the Alpine made CM2396 radio). The changer I have is an Alpine CHM-S601 and the adpater is a Blitzsafe which works with the Becker made BE1692 headunits.

[SLK Boy]

I bought one of these Peripheral adapters and it worked fine with an Alpine changer.

http://www.cardomain.com/item/PERMBZIL

[FreeStyler]

Ok so basically I need to buy an ALpine cd changer and the adapter. It looks like car domain is the best place for a cd changer since the alpine one is only 199 there. Plus 70 bucks for the adapter makes it somewhere around 300 with shiipping. Ok, thanks for all the info guys, without the help i would have made some very big mistakes. THanks.

[pnsji]

'98 should have fibre optics. What kind of head unit you currently have? Can you see the hole to insert cassette? or you have to eject the middle face and then put the cassette in?

[98c43amg]

pnsji, 98 didn't have Fibre. That's what made Steve MBenzNL's life difficult on my install.


Originally posted by FreeStyler
I want to buy a cd changer either today or tomorrow. I was gonna buy the one 1SIKBNZ was selling but his cd changer was fiber optic, and i guess my 1998 c230 doesnt have fiber optics. So I was wondering if I can just go to any electronics store and buy a cd changer that fits my car and stock head unit? Also is my car pre wired for a cd changer? THanks for all the help you can give.
Later

If you haven't bought one yet, I have one you can buy.

I have a '98 C43. I had my car wired for fibre by Steve MBenzNL last year when he installed COMAND, Nokia Phone...I had to buy another Changer because the new system was Fibre. So I have the original one sitting on a shelf. Was thinking of selling it on e-Bay, but can sell to you if you need/want it now.

Private Message / e-mail me if you want it.
-steve

[FreeStyler]

wait i just realized that (in between the driver and passenger) the compartment has a phone plug and a strange thick cable with a jagged egde sticking out right next to the phone line plug. What does this mean??????

[mbsickness]

That should be for the integrated phone option.