Newbie Advice Needed

[Devoid]

Hi, I've had a Golf MkIV since I bought it new in 2003. It has the VW Gamma Head Unit and a dashboard mounted 6xCD changer unit. Unfortunately, the Changer unit has packed in so I thought I'd take the opportunity to replace the head unit as well but I'm not sure which to get. I have a few things I'd like on the new one - front USB, front input for MP3 player, CD player (to play CD's packed with MP3's of course, although DVD's full of MP3's would be even better!). My searching seems to indicate that these are common features, so any advice I can get for good units would be gratefully received.

Secondly, I don't know whether to get a single din or double din unit. What I've got currently is 2 single din units, would it be easy to replace the mount and use a double din unit?

What sort of connectors/converters would I need to get or is it manufacturer dependent?

As you can see, I'm pretty new to this (well, its 20 years since i last changed a car radio!) so any advice/gotchas would be most appreciated...

[stuartb3502]

Loads of choice of head units and we could be here all day so forgive me if I skip that question.  Well, I'll maybe just say that I quite like the Alpines as even a relatively lowly unit will give decent iPod control and sound good.  I have one with Alpine little dashmounted amp and it sounds very good with some upgraded door speakers.  I have a Kenwood double din all singing and dancing nav unit in another car and something like that is also worth considering if you want the works (nav, iPod, bluetooth).  Depends on your budget.

If fitting single DIN you'll just need a cubby to fill the space (see my answer to another poster (MK4 Stereo)).

For connections, the existing connectors work with one problem.  There are two power connections (battery and ignition).  They need swapping round to work properly.  I can't remember the colours (red and yellow IIRC) at the moment so best get a multimeter.  Alternatively, you can by an adapter lead from Autoleads and all it does is swap these two wires.  The connectors on head units are standard now.

If you want to go double-din, you just buy a double din fascia adapter from Autoleads or Connects 2.  I haven't done this in a Golf however.

Good luck.

[Minto031]

i had a double din in my mk4 and it looked great with full iphone features and the works the only thing was i was scared of it being nicked so i took it out and went back to standard with good old ebay to get me some cash back off the dd.

[andyphl]

i had a double din in my mk4 and it looked great with full iphone features and the works the only thing was i was scared of it being nicked so i took it out and went back to standard with good old ebay to get me some cash back off the dd.

I had the same problem but im know waiting on the new jvc av70bt getting it april some time, it has face off, and its 7'' screen all singing all dancing