I have a 2012 Kuro edition and it has the standard Bose sound with the old fashioned AM/FM radio. However my daily drive a Tiguan has the more up to date DAB radio, although FM is ok on the set, the AM reception is less than perfect.
Is there any sets I can buy or mods I can do to add DAB to my system. Also looking at ways of adding something to play music from a memory stick.
How about one of these?
Can’t post the direct link from eBay as the system is censoring part of the text! Copy the line of text below and paste into eBay search box.
Swapping out the installed Bose system will not be easy. The Bose speakers are not compatible with a standard head unit. To install any other head unit will involve adaptors to interface with the Bose amp and speakers.
Link to Roadie’s ebay suggestion:
S’pose I’ll have to get one for my Outlander and the boss’s Roomster, if we still have them, and if they ever turn off the FM.
I must say I am pleasantly surprised at how well DAB works in the ND. Must be to do with that great ugly aerial.
Yes the DAB in the ND is rather impressive. Did a re-scan on mine when I got it home. Sitting on my drive near Lincoln I expected to pick up the Lincolnshire ensemble but I also got Humberside, Yorkshire & East Midlands. Crystal clear reception on many stations that on FM would be patchy if not unlistenable.
I would add that I’m in an area where a high quality stubby aerial only picked up around a third of the stations that a standard mast picked up on the NC.
I have DAB in the Mazda 6 and on rhe kitchen radio but it sounds so rubbish that I omly use FM. The UK has by far the worst DAB bitrates in the world, the result of cramming too many stations into too little spectrum. Many stations aren’t even in stereo.
Thanks for the ideas guys
I’ve just fitted an Android double din unit, no dab but will provide internet radio (almost any station, from anywhere) + spotify. 2x usb connections and micro usb slot takes 64gb card. Full colour album art, just say “ok google, play …” and it plays from Spotify…runs satnav, reverse camera etc Brilliant and sound quality is better than the stock head unit. I have the Bose but no, you don’t need to swap the amp or speakers, just get the correct adapter lead.
Search YouTube for pumpkin android 7.0.1 headunit by mr2nut123. i have same unit. Approx £180 on AliExpress plus you need fascia adapter and harness.
Should add, DAB modules are available too for these
Hi, Thanks for the information.
Your youtube video is very informative and shows it is a brilliant product. However, the unit in my MX5 could not be replaced by that one as it has is a different shape ie. not rectangular, it has a round top moulded into the dash and is certainly not replaceable by anything else.
Hi, Thanks for the information.
The video that you made showing the unit explains it very well but unfortunately it is a different shape to mine. Your unit is rectangular in shape whereas mine has a curved top which fits fiush to the dash and therefore cannot be replaced by anything from the aftermarket side.
But thanks for your input
You can buy a new fascia surround to match the shape of your new unit.
bu the general consensus is that it is too involved to replace the Bose unit as you need to remove the amp and change the speakers as they are Bose specific.
Thanks, but changing the facia and head unit is a bit too involved, if you are thinking of going that route, then it would have been easier to buy a different model MX5. The xcarlink addition for playing music via a memory stick is the easy option for me. The car will only be used on sunny days and I have a modern car that has all the bells and whistles anyway.
So just enjoy driving the car.
Just to clear a couple of things up…it‘s not necessary to change the amp and speakers if fitting a new head unit. You do need the right harness adapter, this converts the signal to suit the Bose setup and gives full steering wheel controls. Approx £55. The fascia adapter was £30 and would suit the OPs car. Im fairly suit all models from my 1 to mk3.75 can take double din units. The adapter harness also means no cutting of cables
By the way, It’s not my YouTube video, I just came across it when researching head units, but I’m as impressed as the reviewer. Hope this helps??