2004 Altea Head Unit

[JayB]

Hello guys, I need some pointers please. I've just picked up a 2004 Stylance and want to change the stereo.
I'll be frank, cash is tight, have a baby due any day now and didn't expect to be getting a new car at the moment, but the Altea came up at a good price, so I got it.

I want to change the Head Unit, always had an Alpine in my previous Passat TDi, but I am gonna leave it in there. Can't really afford a new dbl DIN unit and don't want a cubby hole showing, so think I am gonna go for a VW RCD head unit.

Will any OEM unit fit with the genuine sat nav surround?

Also I want one that is not blue like the previous VW dahs schemes, are there any to avoid and any to wait and pay more for up front that are better than others?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Wimbledonian]

Two surrounds are available from SEAT, one is cut out to suit VAG RCD/RNS units. The other fits aftermarket double-din gear.

 

[JayB]

Thanks for the swift reply. That is good to know, I just wonder if anyone else has done this and can help with knowledge of the units to go for that look correct in the Altea. I don't really want a unit with blue illumination and checking eBay most of them don't give pictures with them working.

 

[JayB]

Am I going down he right road here?

My Alpine, while about 6 years old now, was almost top of the range, but I just don't really want a slot in the dash on the Altea, imagining it will look crap?

Also, to get the Steering wheels control to work I guess I would need an adaptor kit, plus facia, etc etc.

Has anyone got an opinion on if the other VAG units are any good in terms of sound and any better than the Altea one?

The only reason to want to change is to be able to run my ipod, but I have now noticed that my drivers front tweeter is duff.

 

[JayB]

Does an RCD310 have an aux input? Found a Seat colour one.

Are these an improvement?

Would work out cheaper to stay VAG instead of buying all the adaptors for steering controls and wiring, and I like to look fairly original.

But my priority is using my ipod again.

 

[JayB]

Well I decided to go for a VAG unit, RCD310 so ordered the relevant fitting parts, aux lead etc etc.
Been in touch with Dave at Sere, can't get a silver surround through SEAT at the moment, so may have to change the climate surround aswell!
AGH!