Removing Cassette Radio from Mk4 VW Golf TDI

I would like to replace my aging VW Gama Cassette Radio in my VW Golf TDI Mk4, with something a bit more modern that plays MP3's. The Golf is S reg and one of the very first Mk4's made.

Does anyone know how difficult it is to remove the radio assembly or if any special tools are required? Perhaps a pointer to a URL with some instructions would be great.

I am looking to replace it with a Silverline unit which measures 18.9 x 18.5 x 5.7 cm. Does anyone know if these are standard to fit the Golf.

Many thanks.

Ed.

Reply to
Ed Straker
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You should just need a couple of stereo key tools - you can get them from halfrauds- that fit in the 2 squares on either side of the stereo. Push them in til they click then pull out whole shebang.

Your replacement unit should fit - but if it don't, a blanking plate jobbie should be easy enough to come by - again from Halfrauds or your friendly local car audio place (or for that matter fleabay).

You may need to do some jiggery pokery with the connectors at the back of the unit - can't remember off the top of my head if the VW has specialist connectors or not - but either chop off and bodge together, or get a converter.

Spooks

Reply to
Spookydel

noooooo! *don't* chop off and bodge, 'cos the head unit in a modern VW is linked to the ECU. All sorts of things can go wrong if you bodge it - and a lot of dealers will refuse to put a car on their diagnostics machine with aftermarket head units fitted. (One of the wires in the OBD socket goes live when you stick an aftermarket head unit in and kills their machine)

Reply to
SteveH

This is an 'S' reg Mk4, so about 9 years old. Not really modern.

Anyone changed the radio for a non VW radio on a similar vintage car?

Many thanks,

Ed.

Reply to
Ed Straker

It's modern enough to have the head unit tied to the ECU.

As it was in my '98 vintage Passat, which generally used the same head unit.

Reply to
SteveH

You may want to change the bait, that looks a bit stale.

Reply to
SteveH

It ain't bait, it's the truth.

Not everything on usenet is directed at you y'know.

Reply to
Pete M

So you're saying all (or most?) VAG drivers 'know f*ck all about cars' - perhaps a lot of VAG drivers can see beyond the hype surrounding recent Fords - with their build quality designed to just about stagger towards the warranty expiry?

For what they cost, I don't think you can beat the B6.

The new Mondeo looks interesting, but why the hell is it so big? - that puts me off it straight away.

Next time around, I want a Jetta.

Reply to
SteveH

SteveH ( snipped-for-privacy@italiancar.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

"Phrases you never thought you'd hear", part 742 and 743 in an occasional series.

Reply to
Adrian

Heh. Well, it's true. Ford appear to have done a bloody good job of the new Mondeo. Would I want to live with one for 80k miles, though? - unlikely.

The thing with the Jetta is that it's effectively a slightly smaller Passat, only you get more power and / or more toys for your money.

Having said all that, I wonder what the lease rates are on a MkII Octavia vRS TDI-170 DSG ;-)

Reply to
SteveH

I must have a charmed existence, 'cos, despite all the niggles I've seen in the B6s, I've not had any real problems with mine. The only major issue I had (fuel cooler ripping off going through deep puddles) became a recall issue.

I've driven a MkIII Mondeo more or less back to back with the Passat. The Mondeo felt, and indeed was, a generation behind.

Don't know how the MkIV Mondeo will fare - it looks the part, but will the actual quality live up to the photographs?

It's bigger than a 5-series, in all directions, ffs!

Who needs a car that big?

See my reply to Adrian.

Reply to
SteveH

It's just too big. Multi-storey car parks are a challenge in the Passat

- the Mondeo is a bit bigger all-around, so I dread to think what that's like. I suspect you'd *have* to have parking sensors on it, or you'd never get it into a lot of spaces.

The 156 is 'just right' in my book - not too big on the outside, but still big enough inside to carry 4 in comfort.

Reply to
SteveH

I think it's a personal thing. I like big cars. Like to have lots of room.

156s are nice but I can't get the drivers seat back far enough in them unless they've got the Momo leather. The Momo seated ones seem to be more comfy for me.
Reply to
Pete M

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