VW Golf Mk2 Owners Club

Options for Replacing Radio/CD Player

July 25, 2025, 08:45:18 AM

Currently I have quite a nice Alpine FM/AM radio/CD player, which I would like to swap for a more modern bluetooth-enabled one, presumably with DAB rather than FM.  Am I right in assuming I wouldn't be able to get one that incorporated CD capability as well, so the whole back unit would need to be changed as well?

Any advice on good units and sources with good service (such as fitting)?  If a new unit was DAB, what does that mean in terms of aerial?  Would I just get rid of the old wing-mounted telescopic one?

Lots of questions, but any advice gratefully received.

Re: Options for Replacing Radio/CD Player

Reply #1 – July 28, 2025, 07:01:23 AM

Hi,

Not sure what you mean about back unit?

If I've understood correctly, you want a head unit with a CD player, DAB and Bluetooth connectivity?
If that's the case, there are plenty of options out there if you just want to buy one, just google something like "Car Stereo CD player DAB" and it'll come up with a selection.
If you want it fitted too, you could go somewhere like Halfords and speak to them, I'm sure they do a fitting service on their kit.

As for the aerial, DAB is slightly different, you can get window mounted aerials that look quite subtle.
You'd still need your wing mounted one if you want to listen to normal radio though.

Re: Options for Replacing Radio/CD Player

Reply #2 – Today at 09:44:49 PM

I have a very nice Kenwood unit in mine which does cd, dab, Bluetooth, fm, also has useful features such as hands free calling and a great selection of audio adjustments to get the best sound from your specific speaker setup. If your not going to fit it yourself would recommend find a trusted local auto electrician, have seen halfords installers make a right mess of changing a lightbulb! Regarding the aerial i have had reasonable success with using  a device called a dab aerial splitter which uses your existing aerial and has a small module that creates a dab and fm signal with the right aerial plugs for each..