Help on Sound System Upgrade (W202 - C180 - 1998)

[Jema_dc]

Hi All,

I've already searched and read a lot in this site, but I still have doubts.

I have an W202 C180 Classic Plus - 1998, with non Bose System.

I want to Upgrade my Sound System, and already started, changing my Headunit to a Pioneer DEH - P860MP, but the sound quality is still poor... so I decided I also have to change my Speakers and Maybe, if I have enough cash, I might think about an Amp and Subwoofer.

I already learned how to open my front/rear door, how to open the tweeter place and how to open the back shelf. The question is, where and how to put an amp in the trunk? How can I go with the RCA cables from the HU to the trunk? And the speaker wires, how do they go from the trunk to the Speakers? What to open/disassemble to do it?

I'm thinking in a 2 way kit with crossovers for the front door, with 6.5" (still dont know the brand), but the question is, can I build an MDF ring to mount the speaker? And for the rear door, a simple 2 way with midbass and tweeter integrated speaker with 5.25" is enough?

Thanks for the help.

[adelaros]

Just a question.. Acording to the guys who installed my Pioneer in my 1999 c280, the car comes with a AMP included.. Is this true?

[1998K]

Originally posted by adelaros
Just a question.. Acording to the guys who installed my Pioneer in my 1999 c280, the car comes with a AMP included.. Is this true?

as I know only if it came with Bose option from factory, and I don't know if that kind of amp may work (or work well) with another headunit and/or non bose speaker.:)

[Jema_dc]

Yeah,

For all that I've read, you really have to have Bose Speakers to have an stock amp, and it's not my case.

And more, even if I had it, it would be useless to my needs... I want an aftermarket amp and speakers, plus subwoofer in the trunk if possible.

[]s

[audiophile]

I want an aftermarket amp and speakers, plus subwoofer in the trunk if possible. you can put anything in that car even if has the bose sys. you're only limited by your imgination.;)

[pnsji]

please read this:
http://www.club202.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=367

and do search on
"rear deck"
"door panel"

You could install anywhere in the trunk. Wherever you like it to be.

Wiring should go under the door sills.
The same goes for power lines, rca, speaker wires.

MDF ring is definitely a good idea. Sounds like you know what you are doing.

[J Irwan]

Also for the RCA

I would run in under the carpet below the center console all the way to the rear.. to eliminate any noise.


This way you avoiding big power cable/ and all other high-current cable on both side of the car.


Regardz,

[1998K]

Originally posted by J Irwan
Also for the RCA

I would run in under the carpet below the center console all the way to the rear.. to eliminate any noise.


This way you avoiding big power cable/ and all other high-current cable on both side of the car.


Regardz,

yes this is a good suggestion.

For same scope, I've passed RCA cable on the side part of the roof, close to the pillar. It's also not so difficoult, you have to take off A and B pillar, C pillar is a little bit more complicated but you should woak also if you not remove it completly.:)

[Jema_dc]

Originally posted by J Irwan
Also for the RCA, I would run in under the carpet below the center console all the way to the rear.. to eliminate any noise.

That's exactly my question...

I still don't know hor to run the RCA to the trunk...

As I said before, I already know how to disassemble the doors, and the tweeter in the dash, wich I've learned in my search in this forum.

But I still need to know how:

To run the speaker wires from the Trunk to the HU, I need:
- Remove door sills (Front and Rear)
- Remove B Pillar (necessary?)

To run the RCA from the HU to the Amp in Trunk, I need:
- Remove Center console (my car doesn't have armrest in the center console)

And for both, I need:
- Remove Rear Seat (Already know from other topics I've searched)

I also need to know, how deep can be a Speaker for the Front and Rear Doors, and how thick must be my MDF ring (10-15 mm)?

Thanks for the help.

[Jema_dc]

Originally posted by pnsji
please read this:
http://www.club202.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=367
and do search on
"rear deck"
"door panel"
Yeah, I've already seen those, but still need more info... (I'm completely newby in Mercedes World, I've always made my own Sound Systems, but never had a Mercedes Before, so I'm still learning...


Originally posted by pnsji
Wiring should go under the door sills.
The same goes for power lines, rca, speaker wires.
Hmmm... That's the part I need to learn, still don't know how to take off the door sills and B pillar.


Originally posted by pnsji
MDF ring is definitely a good idea. Sounds like you know what you are doing.
Yeap, I know how to do it, and have the tools, but didn't know if there was enough space to fix it. How thick must be the Ring? 10, 15 mm??

Thanks Pnsji

[1998K]

Originally posted by Jema_dc
That's exactly my question...

I still don't know hor to run the RCA to the trunk...

As I said before, I already know how to disassemble the doors, and the tweeter in the dash, wich I've learned in my search in this forum.

But I still need to know how:

To run the speaker wires from the Trunk to the HU, I need:
- Remove door sills (Front and Rear)
- Remove B Pillar (necessary?)

To run the RCA from the HU to the Amp in Trunk, I need:
- Remove Center console (my car doesn't have armrest in the center console)

And for both, I need:
- Remove Rear Seat (Already know from other topics I've searched)

I also need to know, how deep can be a Speaker for the Front and Rear Doors, and how thick must be my MDF ring (10-15 mm)?

Thanks for the help.

door sills are really easy to remove, sorry I don't have a link with photo but you have only to pull in the upper way. Same front and rear. As it's out you can also see how open the lower part of B pillar, not really necessary but cable passage may be easier.
Below the sills you'll see a black plastic trunk cable, easy to open and pass your cable.

As per the center console, probably you have a couple of screw in the aft plus a connection in front of gearbox (mine is a manual and you have only to pull up the gearbox wood panel). To pass below the carpet I belive it's a bit complicated. I don't know, I've passed over the roof as said. But as first step you can try RCA inside the sills, if it do not make noise you can keep them there.:)

Below the sills, inside the a.m. black plastic trunk you can reach the trunk quite easy (in case utilize a sort of "probe" to pass the cable).

Hope to help
:) :)

[1998K]

not really a complete set of how to but may be usefull. About the cable passing into the trunk as said I suggest the factory trunk passage that you can see in some photo.

http://club202.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6838

[Jema_dc]

Thanks man,

I Think this might help.

I'm trying to have as much information as I can, because in about 3 weeks I'm going on vacations, and in this free time I'm gonna try making this work.

I'll follow your instructions maybe this weekend, just to see if it works for me.

About the link you sent me, I've already seen this one and printed it out to help me when I'm installing.... let's see if I can do it... ;)

Thanks again.