re: Dead Bose Radio

[Lee Levitt <wheelman@shore.net>]

"Jim Longo"<jim.longo@bender.com> writes:

>      Saw some recent postings that the reconditioned Bose units are no 
>      longer available from Audi dealers. Too bad, since my sticky buttons 
>      are getting worse every day. I hit a bump and the radio jumps down a 
>      station or two.  Is there a thread on the web site that discusses 
>      alternatives ? Ideally I would like to put in a unit that has a cd.
>      

Hmmm. A couple of my buttons were sticky before the volume control failed.
I assumed that it was due to the application of soda by the other driver
of the car :)

Wonder if contact cleaner would work on them. You can pick up a spray can
of the stuff from Radio Shack and spray it in with the supplied applicator
(straw). 

If that doesn't work, you *can* pick up a refurbished unit from Audi (or
could three weeks ago). I called two dealers and got prices of around $120
for an over the counter exchange. You can pick up a used unit from lister
for less, btw. 

The cheapest way to go would be to do this and add an fm modulated CD. It
will retain the esthetics of your dash and the use of the cluster display.

Otherwise, you'll have to buy a new unit and an adapter (Crutchfield?) for
the stock wiring. BTW, I briefly had an indash CD player in my last car. I
removed it and reinstalled the OE head unit for two reasons:

- esthetically the OE unit was far superior to the Alpine I installed, and
the sound difference wasn't dramatic
- a single CD player is a PITA. It is difficult to slip the CD into the
slot while you're driving, and you get less total playing time on a CD
than on a 2 sided tape.

...and after having lived for 2 years with a 6 CD changer in the back of
my truck, I would strongly suggest that the auxiliary *changer* is the way
to go. No muss, no fuss. Pick a half dozen selections, stuff them in a
cartridge, maybe make a second pack for the return trip, and off you go :)

HTH,

Lee