Expensive fucked aerial

[jonathan_dyane]

Well. The aerial on my Merc 190 has always been fairly crap, and as the mast was attached to the base with a big blob of silicone it wasn't hard to suppose as to why this was.

 

Most 190's seem to have an aerial mounted on the rear wing, but I'm lucky enough to have a roof aerial. I dropped by the Merc dealer today to see if they could get a new one, and the parts guy informed me that the cars came from Germany without any radio equipment, and either the supplying dealer or first owner usually fitted one. It seems mine is not a Mercedes supplied aerial.

 

When I got home I decided to investigate, and easily snapped the mast off, leaving behind the base with a broken eye which previously held the mast. I boldly decided to try and unscrew this, however it turned out not to be threaded and snapped off leaving the thing now well knackered.

 

Research indicates that the aerial is a Bosch/Blaupunkt Autoflex, and is now discontinued. Some stocks do remain however, but it is £75 which seems like daylight robbery.

http://www.blaupunktdirect.co.uk/antennas-aerials/am-fm/bosch-autoflex-roof-mount-aerial.html

 

Now the aerial is attached to the car body with two screws, which handily is unlike any other roof aerial I have ever seen. I don't really want to try and bodge another roof aerial on because it will look shit, but then it looks shit right now with the mangled and useless base leaving me devoid of radio 4 and severed from current affairs taking solace in my Sisters of Mercy and Half Man Half Biscuit cassettes.

 

Any suggestions gratefully received.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Why don't you use an internal one (they stick to the top of the windscreen)? Not as good as the original, but it should do the job unless most of your driving is within Istanbul/Moscow/(insert large city with lots of tall buildings).

[Akron]

What is the fixing on the roof like, I have a good Vag ,powered "beesting" antennae here going begging if interested?

[jonathan_dyane]

Luxo: It may yet come to the screen mounted aerial as a temporary fix, but I had one before on a 2cv and the reception was dire.

 

Akron: The fixing uses three holes; for two securing screws and the wire. You can see the layout on the link I posted above. Alas I suspect the Bee Sting fitting is rather different.

[Akron]

Sorry missed the link , the beesting is one large hole approx 1" across and the base is 3" long front to back roughly. I only want postage for it so can post pics if interested?

[Formula Autos]

Is it maybe worth scouring scrapyards for '80s German executive cars?

 

I'm sure I've noticed these things on 5-series' of the period (amongst others) - probably due to the fact that Beemers had a mingebag spec back then, meaning these were probably dealer-fit on BMWs as well.