Becker CDR-21 replacement front panel

matthewb · Nov 20, 2005

Hi - I have damaged the removable front panel of my Becker/Porsche CDR-21 (one of the buttons has fallen off) and I would like to get my lovely Porsche 993 Carrera 4S back to full spec.

I was wondeing if
1. a new button could be fitted. If not ...
2. a new front panel is available as a replacement part. If not ...
3. a whole new/second-hand unit is available. If not ...
4. a suitable/sympathetic replacement is available.

Also, I need some help finding a coachwork specialist able to help me with some slight damage to the tan leather interior and a broken spring on the driver's side door-pocket lid.

Anyone any ideas?

Best regards
Matthew
porschematt@hotmail.com

Paul Fraser · Nov 20, 2005

Suggest you get a price for the front panel from your OPC. Also, contact breakers to see if they have a part (if you don't know who these are buy a copy of 911 & Porsche World -- most advertise in there). Worth a trawl on Ebay, too -- try Becker as well as Porsche. Finally there is also the Becker site, which will give you sales outlets in the UK, who may also be able to get a part for you, probably at the same price that the OPC will charge.

matthewb · Nov 21, 2005

Many thanks, Paul. I tried my OPC (AFN Reading) but they didn't seem very concerned. On the web I found www.dndservices.co.uk who can obtain a new replacement panel. Apparently there are different models going under the guise of CDR-21 so getting the right one is more difficult than it might seem. DND seem to know what they're doing. I would hope so for £150 [

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Cheers
Matthew

Paul Fraser · Nov 21, 2005

That's very expensive for a face-off. Have you ordered it yet, because at that price I'd try getting one from a breaker (and for that money I'd try the USA as well as the UK). You may also find that the CR-21 face off will work although it won't have the right numbers written on it (I can use a CDR22 face-off on a CR22 headunit for instance).
PS For £150 you will be able to pick up an entire second hand CDR22 on Ebay.

matthewb · Nov 21, 2005

Thanks for the advice and help Paul & Shirish. Really most appreciated.

Some questions (if neither of you mind!)
1. Is the CDR-22 better than the CDR-21? In what way?
2. To remove the CD unit I need to first remove the fascia plate and then apparently I need special 'removal keys' £5.99/pair to insert into the horizontal slots. I think I've identified the 2 slots and I think a couple of teaspoons will do the job. Correct?

Many thanks
Matthew

Paul Fraser · Nov 22, 2005

If your CDR21 is the same as my CR21 is it has a black on muddy gray green display. The CR22 (and CDR22) has a orange matrix display on black background that matches the aircon and intrument matrix in the Boxster (and 996). I've also put a CR22 in my 944 and think it matches the orange parts of the instrument display (there are one or two flashes on mine). YVMV when it comes to yours, and I can't post a pic as I'm away from home, although you could probably find one on boxa.net or Renntech fairly easily. http://www.boxa.net/forum/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=6099 shows the unit when it is off (well, a 220 which is the US version of the 22).
Buy the removal keys -- you can probably get them at Halfords, maybe marked Audi or VW. I don't think teaspoons will work, but I could be wrong.
If you do replace the CDR21 with a CDR22 you may have to remove the mounting frame (not needed by the 22) and, depending on how your alarm is configured, may have to tape up a contact that is attached to the frame.
If you can't get the buttons from a dealer, or get a CDR22, I would wait till a CR21 comes up on Ebay and use it for parts.

Paul Fraser · Nov 22, 2005

PS I only suggested an Ebay CDR22 because of the cost of a replacement fascia, i.e. on cost grounds. However, as you have probably gathered above I think it is a more attractive unit that the 21.

matthewb · Nov 24, 2005

Thanks for your advice Paul. Very useful. Take care. Matthew

lauris · Nov 25, 2005

I have spare front panel for the 22,,,, think its the cdr22,,, if interested, drop me a mail... and I will send photos

scottlaurie@dsl.pipex.com

cheers
scott

matthewb · Jan 18, 2007

Thanks Paul, Scott and Shirish

I finally got around to taking-up Shirish on his suggestion of contacting HARMAN/BECKER USA (www.beckerautosound.com) in New Jersey about a replacement fascia for my Becker BE-2280 CDR-21 stereo (missing a button).

Anyway, I contacted them a few days ago and got an immediate (if somewhat brief) reply advising me that the "spare part" was available for $9.60 (£4.88). I though this was very expensive for a single button and rather cheap for a whole new fascia (electronic bits an' all).

I hadn't realised until [FONT=verdana,geneva"]

the "spare part" [FONT=verdana,geneva"]

arrived today (via UPS), that in fact the fascia has a replaceable plastic cover containing all the buttons and switches, so I didn't need a whole new fascia after all. I haven't tried fitting the new plastic cover yet but it certainly seems to be the right thing.

For those of you that might be in the same 'missing button' situation some day, the part number stamped into the replaceable plastic cover is 1180.878-256 (although HARMAN/BECKER USA referred to it as 1180.851). And should you ever need to remove the stereo unit itself, you will need the PC5-132 removal tool.

The sting - well, that's the shipping cost, of course. They will only ship parts via a courier (UPS) and this can be a tad pricey. How does $65.37 shipping sound? A total of $74.97 (£38 give or take)!

I'm still happy, though. A cheaper solution than the £150 I'd been quoted for a complete fascia.

Let's hope it fits [

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matthewb · Jan 18, 2007

[FONT=verdana, geneva, arial, sans-serif"]So close yet so far away [

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