Fitting radio and CD player...

[glennjacobs]

Hi, I've just bought a 1998 Passat and have the standard radio/cassette.

I want to upgrade this to the Gamma radio and the in-dash 6 CD player, but it also has climate control. Can I fit all of these in the Passat? Is there some sort of mounting/blanking plate for the dash to help do this?

Please help

[shao_khan]

I can never remember what years dashs changed. But depends on the dash you have then some will need revised Aircon controls, others will have a Radio slot, and a DIN sized 'cubbyhole'. If you have the latter then you may need a different chassis, but you should be able to remove the radio and cubby hole and replace with the parts you mention.

IF it were me, I would consider a replacement head unit with MP3 capability (obviously if you have fascility to record MP3 onto CD) - this saves messing around 2 much, it gives you around 10 - 15 albums per CD so saves the need of a cd changer, and in general you will get better quality (peraps even DAB).

[glennjacobs]

Yeah, hadn't thought about the MP3 route. Can you recommend a head unit? I don't want to pay any more than about 100 quid really and really don't want one of those naff ones that have loads of lights flying around everywhere

[shao_khan]

Well in the past I have only eevr had Sony, Alpine and Blaupunkt units and have never had a fault with any.

TO be honest I would have a look around (even the local Halfords) and see what you like the look of - a lot have flash displays, several have the blue/red from VW so they pretty much match the existing OEM display.

I think If I were going for a new HU at the moment I would be looking at something like the Blaupunkt Woodstock as it is MP3 and DAB - it is more than the budget you have specified, but it appears to review well and looks pretty good (IMO).

I would look for easy use (some appear to need a 14 button combo to turn them on), fascilities (MP3, cdr/rw compatible, etc) and general appearance.