W203 Audio upgrade

[mikehiow]

Hi,

I've just purchased a 53 plate W203 C270 and found the Audio to be somewhat lacklustre, with very little definition.

I have some 17cm Component speakers fitted to my existing car with a small amp and crossovers.

I have ordered a single-din fascia adapter.

I was a little concerned about the job after reading about all this fibre optic stuff, but I assume that I do not have to worry about this, I simply replace the stereo and wire the new front components up as I would in any other car?

I'm not sure what sound system the car has, but I don't think it's anything special - I think the stereo is an 'Audio 10' unit with cd changer and there are no mentions of Bose or anything anywhere.

Is there any kind of amp and is the standard system just a set of four speakers?

 

[mikehiow]

I forgot to ask.

Is it a plug and play affair with a new headunit?

I've read all sorts of things about having to change the harness, others saying I need to find a switched live etc. etc.

If that's all just down to the lack of switched live, surely I can find a switched live somewhere, splice it and add a bullet connector to the end that'll go directly to the proprietary harness of the stereo?

I'm not fussed about steering wheel controls for now.

 

[KOPE]

I think you will have to get the harness on line, I have the 10 fitted with bose badge on the rear bass, Halfords don't stock a harness for a w203 and the harness plug guide is offset so won't fit the standard socket, that is what I have found on mine, with only 5 wires for the speakers