Replacing Cassette/Radio With CD/Radio Unit

jbloggs · 15 Mar 2011 at 21:21

Hi,

I have just bought a VW Polo 1.4 Twist Nov 2003, which has a cassette/radio unit in it, I would like to replace it with a cd/radio unit.

Would something from Here fit ok, ie the Alpine CDE-120R, can I use the speakers that are already in the car (with the cassette/radio unit), or would I have to buy something else?

Does the Alpine unit come with a fitting kit for the VW Polo Twist, or do I have to buy that separately?

Apologies if the above is rather basic info that I'm seeking, but unfortunately it is not obvious to me...

Thanks...

jellybeard999 · 15 Mar 2011 at 22:11

Any single DIN unit will fit, but you may need a fascia, probably an aerial adaptor and you'll definitely need a wiring harness adaptor. Ebay is good for accessories.

It will work fine with the current speakers.

jbloggs · 15 Mar 2011 at 22:19

jellybeard999 said:
Any single DIN unit will fit, but you may need a fascia, probably an aerial adaptor and you'll definitely need a wiring harness adaptor. Ebay is good for accessories.

It will work fine with the current speakers.

Thanks for the above, most helpful... :cool:

Liquidfox · 16 Mar 2011 at 09:01

Most head units from new come with the adapters needed to hook it up, the only extra you would need is the fascia

jellybeard999 · 16 Mar 2011 at 12:17

In my experience all headunits terminate to a standard ISO connection, after that it's normally different for each car, so I can't see how you'd just hook it up?

Bill101 · 16 Mar 2011 at 12:48

jellybeard999 said:
In my experience all headunits terminate to a standard ISO connection, after that it's normally different for each car, so I can't see how you'd just hook it up?

The reason they call it a Standard ISO is due to the fact that it is a standard fitting, sometimes early cars had two connectors (a black and a brown block) but they both fitted into the bigger standard ISO.
The only connection problem may be the red and yellow wires need swapping over to keep the memory function which is quite common on VWs.

Sin_Chase · 16 Mar 2011 at 12:52

If you do not need dash controls etc then you do not NEED an adapter kit. Just lop off the connectors and splice the cables using a wiring diagram or trial and error/voltmeter.

Adapter is a much easier, reversible and elegant solution but not the only one

Wicksta · 16 Mar 2011 at 13:15

Bill101 said:
The reason they call it a Standard ISO is due to the fact that it is a standard fitting, sometimes early cars had two connectors (a black and a brown block) but they both fitted into the bigger standard ISO.
The only connection problem may be the red and yellow wires need swapping over to keep the memory function which is quite common on VWs.

A lot of cars don't have ISO connectors. I believe the VW Polo does though, our similar era Golf did.

jellybeard999 · 18 Mar 2011 at 12:58

Bill101 said:
The reason they call it a Standard ISO is due to the fact that it is a standard fitting, sometimes early cars had two connectors (a black and a brown block) but they both fitted into the bigger standard ISO.
The only connection problem may be the red and yellow wires need swapping over to keep the memory function which is quite common on VWs.

As above, it's a standard fitment, but most cars aren't standardised.

InvaderGIR · 18 Mar 2011 at 13:24

Sin_Chase said:
If you do not need dash controls etc then you do not NEED an adapter kit. Just lop off the connectors and splice the cables using a wiring diagram or trial and error/voltmeter.

Adapter is a much easier, reversible and elegant solution but not the only one

Which is a horrible way to do it, so don't do this!

I'd always get a car to ISO harness if the car does not have an ISO one. This means when you come to sell you can revert it back to standard and/or the new owner can easily change the head unit without loads of extra hassle of splicing wires.

jbloggs · 27 Mar 2011 at 19:12

Ended up buying myself an Alpine CDE-111R headunit, along with the necessary bits to fit it, so hopefully should be straightforward to do so...

Thanks for all your suggestions...

bledd · 27 Mar 2011 at 19:37

Same one I've got

jbloggs · 4 Apr 2011 at 16:11

bledd. said:
Same one I've got

bledd, do you have a mobile (phone) connected to this unit to use hands free as This is "bluetooth ready"?

Can I connect a mobile phone to it (to use hands free), if the phone also has bluetooth, or do I need some other bit of hardware to go with the CDE-111R?

Thanks...