2005 Golf cd changer?

[tdw]

Hi,
I just bought my first VW vehicle, a Golf 2005 1.6 SE FSI. The car has sat nav which uses the inbuilt cd which means I need a cd changer. The space is in the armrest with the connector (black) - I haven't looked too closely at it yet but any advice on what to look for. I am looking for a new unit to stick in there so I can still use the sat nav.

Thanks

[Paul_mkV_golf]

Your best bet may be to try an local independent car audio specialist who'd be able to advise on suitable products, requirements etc. Go to the dealers and they'll try to sell you a vw product that'll cost over the odds.

[tdw]

Which brand is standard in a Golf? Sony?

[Flash2]

Yeah, the dash mounted 6 disc CD players that VW supply are made by Sony (they use a VW connector though). Not sure who makes the sat nav system. If your wanting a unit to fit in the arm rest I think you will have to get the VW unit. I've never come across an after market unit that will do the job. I know that Alpine boot mounted CD changers will hook up to VW radios via an interface unit, but I've never seen any other dash mounted unit. As Paul says, check with a car audio specialist.
The plug that connects to the VW changer is a 12 pin female connector about 1" wide X 1/4" high. You may be lucky and already have the cable fitted since your vehicle has the satnav system. If you pry the box out of the arm rest you should see it attached to a bracket below the box. Or what about an iPod adapter if you have an iPod rather than go for a CD player? The VW iPod adapter connects to the same socket on the radio as the CD player and the iPod is controlled via the head unit just like the CD. I think that would be cheeper than the CD and an iPod can hold a lot more music than 6 CDs.
Regards - Jim.

[Paul_mkV_golf]

TDW,

just seen this on JVC site- JVC CH-X1500 CD CHANGER- according to their info it's compatilble with factory fitted stereos in selected models from VW.

quote from http://jvcmobile.co.uk
The CH-X1500 12-disc
CD-changer features:

•

CD/CD-R/CD-RW compatible

•

Play up to 120 hours of MP3 music

•

1-Bit DAC (24-bit resolution)

•

Shockproof
full-floating mechanism

•

CD text/ID3 tag capability on selected models

•

Variable mounting angle

Further info- http://jvcmobile.co.uk/product.php?pr=51

Only £199 for a 12 disc changer- cheaper than a vw branded one!

May be worth getting in touch with a local stockist- let us know how you get on!

Paul

[Ben]

Hi the dvd sat nav units fitted in vw's are blaupunkt (i will stand corrected). At least the navigation dvd is. the info on the disc states that it is a Travelpilot and i'm sure it mentiones blaupunkt.
My dad has a sat nav unit is his treg and the 6 disc changer is in the boot.

When it comes to the mk5 golf the cd changer is mounted within the centre arm rest between the front seats. see the image of my car below

as you can see it is a bespoke fit and i'd be suprised if there are any 3rd party units out there.

It is also true that the fitted ipod dock shares this very same location so in thoery you have to choose between the 6cds or the ipod (you can just opt to have the ipod cable threaded thru in to the glove box).

If you have the sat nav head unit then i'd recommend the ipod.

If, like myself you only have the bog standard rcd300 with the cd changer, and you wanted to upgrade to have the ipod and 6 discs then the only way to do this is to change your head unit to the rcd 500 which is not sat nav but will take 6 discs directly in to the head unit and plug the ipod in to this where the cd changer would go.

If you do opt to sacrifice the sat nav and go for the rcd500 option, may i have first refusal on your sat nav unit?

Why on earth don't vw do a head unit that can read mp3's?

The JVC unit is very good but if you want to to use the centre console as in my photo, i feel the jvc may fall some way short.(size)

I hope this is of some help.

Ben

EDIT, vw now do mp3 versions of the rcd 500 and 300.

[Flash2]

Oh dear, that looks like you need to replace the whole arm rest/consol to fit the CD player in there. On the new beetle and touran you just remove the box below the lid and the CD unit fits into the whole.

The VW retrofit iPod adapter doesn't have a docking cradle (the factory fit one does and is fitted under the arm rest). It's just a little white plug that floats around in the glovebox.

[Flash2]

Oh and the RCD 200 radios fitted to the polo/fox can read MP3 discs. I think that is now an OPTION on RCD 300s too, but it's a standard feature on the polo.

[Ben]

When looking for this car I looked ant many and wanted one with the armrest. Cd player being a bonus. I enquired in to an aftermarket armrest from vw and they quoted over £600 smacker roonies. Apparently you need to buy each individual part. Coincidently an armrest recently sold on ebay for £200 quid ish.

If the ipod can not be retro fitted in to the armrest then a stand corrected from my original post. It must be a factory fit option on new cars only.

Either way, i'd prefer to have it in the glovebox.

Ben

[Ben]

Oh and the RCD 200 radios fitted to the polo/fox can read MP3 discs. I think that is now an OPTION on RCD 300s too, but it's a standard feature on the polo.

This i did not know.

I will be making enquiries at the local dealership soon.

The fox is a recent addition to the range so they could be updating things and moving with the times.

BEn