NBC Suggestions Needed!

[belle]

So I bought my '04 NBC brand new and have never done any mods. I don't want to invest TOO much money but would like to do some upgrades. Do you guys have any suggestions?? Also in '04 a tapedeck was still standard - which is what I have. I'd like to upgrade to an in dash CD player. I was told because of the shape of the dash, I have to go with VW. Is that true? Or does anyone had any luck with other brands??
Thanks!! Can't wait to get some suggestions

[Witchywoo]

they are talking out of their butts about the radio. you can get things called fascias which make rectangle shaped radios fit into the oval shape left when you take the vw radio out.
they don't cost much (over in the uk anyway)

[belle]

Did you do this witchywoo? If so, can you send me a pic?

[Witchywoo]

mine already came like this but i've done it on other cars i've had and if you look at some other org'ers pictures, you'll see that most people do this.
here' mine.

hope this helps!

[belle]

So basically VW was just BS'ing me to make more money but I can actually just buy any Alpine or something and get it installed?? Thanks!! I'm glad I kept my ALpine from my last car that I really liked. Probably going to take it somewhere and see if they can install it. Does it matter if my current is Monsoon or not? Because I have a monsoon system (I don't even know what that means)

[bugsy98nb]

Do you know when your NBC was built ? Mine was in march of 04 which makes her i guess a mid year or early late year 04 anyways shes a GL and has an indash CD changer standard .

[Witchywoo]

Originally Posted by belle

So basically VW was just BS'ing me to make more money but I can actually just buy any Alpine or something and get it installed?? Thanks!! I'm glad I kept my ALpine from my last car that I really liked. Probably going to take it somewhere and see if they can install it. Does it matter if my current is Monsoon or not? Because I have a monsoon system (I don't even know what that means)

lol you're the same as me, i'm abit clueless with all the lingo!
as with any car, you can fit any stereo in with a fascia and the leads should connect up fine or the garage will have connectors. yeah the garage was taking you for a ride, someone tried to do that to me but i'd already experienced putting a radio into a car so i told him to stop being a patronising sob and that shut him up!! lol

in the words of the spice girls, girl power!!

[Palladigma]

Here's a pic of mine

[Witchywoo]

thats a nice one. i'm not a big fan of mine, sticks out too much but thats what it came with from the previous owner.
also want a pretty radio with colours, mines ugly but i have to remind myself that its not an essential item at the mo as it works fine!

[Palladigma]

I got mine from car toys , I'm pretty sure you can find something like that at Crutchfield , for not so much .

[hestersu]

Not just any radio will fit. The bug is a small space. Check with Crutchfield for sizing info. but, yea, you can get the trim plate to allow for a good fit.

You can also look into buying a VW radio with/CD that someone is selling. you can get the OEM fit and look and a CD all in one.

[belle]

Thanks for all the help! I'm excited to start looking
So while we are on the subject - what is the difference between a monsoon system? Sorry... I'm sure this question has already been answered quite a bit.
BTW - I don't know when my car was built but it's a 2004 that I purchased Decemeber 2003.

[hestersu]

Do you have Monsoon now? When you turn on your radio, it will say Monsoon for a few seconds before actually setting on the last station. The Monsoon has an amplifier (in the back of the car between the trunk and the bumper) that drives the speakers. Its a pretty good system for the most part. If you don't have Monsoon and you want an OEM in-dash CD, you will need to find a non-Monsoon in-dash CD.

See this thread: http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/showthread.php?t=8716

[belle]

Yeah, I do have a monsoon... Always wondered what that meant Thanks!!

So now that I have answers to my CD player - anyone have some suggestions for simple - low cost mods?

[Billsbug]

Verts rule, tintops drool." ~Billsbug

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Click my signature vert chick.

[r0nd3L]

Originally Posted by Palladigma

Here's a pic of mine

I bought this one at first but the shape was completely off and didn't fit the opening too good. It also didn't work with my flip-face Alpine. Then I bought a kit from Crutchfield and it's perfect! It also comes with two facias which is really helpful and made my flip-faced head unit fit perfectly. Alpine + Monsoon sounds really nice and I don't even want to upgrade any speakers. Heck, I don't know if I need a sub in the back since doors ones hit pretty hard.

[hestersu]

Look through the gallery of New Beetles and see what you like and don't like. The popular low cost mods are new bud vase, door lock pins, clear corners, monster mats. Next up would be red/clear tails or LED tails though LED tails are not exactly low cost but look cool. Anything after that starts getting into bucks. New exhaust, chip, lower the car, wheels, etc.

Look through the sites Bill listed above. He pointed out some very good ones.

In the end, do what you want to do. Decide on a theme or direction and go with it.