CD Changer for a Focus

mark66

mark66

mark66

Soldato
Joined
1 May 2003
Posts
3,207
Location
Bucks
Hi all,

I need some advice reference getting a CD Changer for a Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec that we got for my partner last weekend. The car currently only has a Ford 5000 stereo with tape player, but with buttons for a CD changer. I know next to nothing about ICE and would like some advice and I would prefer not to spend over the odds as we got the car to save some money.

What will I need? Can I buy any brand of CD changer from Halfords or Ebay?

What about cabling? Or 'Connects' boxes?

Is it worth buying a Ford changer or will a Sony one be better?

And finally, someone has mentioned that we forget the CD Changer all together and instead by an Ipod and a Tape Player interface. What is the quality like with these? Is it a 'don't go there' idea?!

Cheers :)
 
I dont recommend Blaupunkt CD changers, as I had one in my Punto, and it was forever skipping and cutting out and repowering back up for no reason at all.
I use a tape player adapter for my iPod and it works really well. The sound quality is crystal clear. I was expecting a typical hissing tape noise, but it works well, and it was a cheap one too.
 
Halfrauds do a Sony 6 disc model that works fine with them, then you need an adaptor to work with the 5000 unit - all in fitted it shouldn't be anymore than £200. (don't bother with anything more than a 6-disc, the 5000 only supports that many).
 
Mark,

Have you thought about getting a new head unit? Getone that can take mp3 cd's, i use them in my Focus and i have a couple of cds with 160 songs on. All good quality, and also improves the overall sound quality of the car.
 
If the wiring is already in place for the changer, or rather you're expecting it to be, then be aware that the changer in the Focus went under the passenger seat rather than in the boot, so that'll be where the cables terminate. Could be a problem if you were planning on mounting one in the boot as you'd have to run cables back there.
 
Thanks for all your inputs guys and sorry for the delay in responding.

Right, we decided that we would prefer the cd changer solution, but might look at getting an iPod at a later date, and I am encouraged that the tape interafaces work well.

Saitrix, we did think about replacing the headunit, but my partner has many cd's and really wants a cd changer so she can chop and choose as she pleases with minimal distractions.

I popped into Halfords and found the Sony T69 6 disc changer for £130 that I used to have in my old Cupra and which is nice and compact. The guy said with a Connects box I would be looking at £200 fitted as Goliath correctly predicted.

So, off I went to ebay and last night picked up a T69 for £50 and am going to bid on a Connects2 box (model AFOS003) in a few hours :)
 
The T69 is a solid changer - I've put them into my Sister's Ka and my folks Fiesta before (along with the interface). Both were hanging off the 5000 head unit.
 
mark,

I see why you want a CD changer now. :) For me an mp3 cd was easier, you could upgrade your HU if you want anyways. ;)
 
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