Can I do this?

[Mello Mike]

Hi everyone. New member here. Okay, I have a '98 Beetle and my audio system is the stock radio/cassette combo. Can I upgrade my deck with one of the newer CD/IPOD models?

The parts guy at the local VW deadership said you can't put, say a 2005 radio in a 1998 Beetle because the cabling doesn't match. That doesn't make sense to me because of aftermarket options.

[noR]

I won't straight up call him a liar.

Cause I haven't seen a 2005 headunit. But.

I've got a 2003 in my 2000. (In Dash CD, like it should have been in the first place. woohoo.) I'm sure the '98 would accept the '03 headunit as well. And I really think it'll fit the 2005, but I can't say I'm positive.

Pretty easy swap.

[SuperTrooper]

Going aftermarket would probably be easier and it will certainly be cheaper. I have a Sony CDXGT420IP. It comes with an iPod cable and the lighting is a good match for the dash lights. $200 installed at circuitcity or $149 from Crutchfield.com. They include all you need to install it yourself, but you have to be able to solder the wires of the new connector to the old.

[Lmhansen]

You should be able to get a wire harness that will work without having to solder any wires. Might take some shopping around...

[red5]

I agree with all of you guys. Also, all 1998-2006 new beetles have the same connector in the back of the radio. I'm shure up to 2006 because I never saw the back of the radio of the new generation but I'm pretty shure they are the same (lazy german engineer!). So, feel free to change everything you want. In the case you want to upgrade to a aftermarket unit, go online and buy the "scosche wire harness" part no.VW01B. You can also buy a "plug'n'play" harness from the same company, from volks to Clarion,Alpine,Kenwood,Sony etc... I hope I was of some help... Let me know how it turns up.

[Mello Mike]

Good responses. I'm going to have to research my options (costs) and go from there.

[SuperTrooper]

I forgot to point out that I went with an aftermarket unit because used VW radios are $$$! I tried ebay and craigslist before settling for the Sony. Unless you can find a decent head unit with codes (that didn't come out of your cousin Vinny's trunk)for less than $250 I'd go aftermarket.

The wiring harness that Crutchfield provides (a somewhat universal type harness) suggests soldering for best results, although you can use compression connectors. The harness CircuitCity installed in mine is a dedicated VW swap unit.