(T) Audio problems

A short time after buying my Stilo I changed the standard radio/cassette to a Sony xplod cd/radio/mp3 player. Unfortunately, try as I might i just could not get the radio to play without very bad interference. I know that its not the sony because I took it out and tested it on a friends punto. I have now replaced the Sony (and sold it to my mate) with the original unit and lo the radio plays beautifully, so I decided to take the plunge and find out how much an original Fiat radio/cd/mp3 (as shown in the handbook) would cost from my local Italian car spares place, (also a mate). He phoned me back saying that all Fiat car audio is specific to each individual car due to the fact that it interfaces with the car's ECU, any change of audio, even a Fiat/visteon unit would necessitate changing the ECU as well, has anyone heard of this before

Definitely not the case - I've had a Pioneer and Sony Xplod unit in my Stilo and no Radio problems at all. I've also fitted a Sony Xplod MP3 head unit to another Stilo with no Radio problems.

As far as being unique to the vehicle, all standard FIAT head units for the Stilo require a security code to be entered when connected to the vehicle for the first time (no different to the majority of manufacturers) - as long as any replacement head unit has the code with it there should be no problem swapping.