Does anyone knows if i can upgrade (sometime in the future) my Stilo CD player to the Stilo MP3 player.

Thank you

Fiat Stilo Black 1.6 3Door Dynamic, 16''Alloy

The unit in the Stilo is modular. The whole thing comes out in one - radio/CD together. In fact, I have taken mine out, here's a pic:



It's a Visteon unit. According to the shop I bought my new head unit off, they are a Ford assembly.

I am pretty sure you could buy the same unit with the MP3 CD instead. My dealer was supposed to get back to me with a price, but he didn't (now there's a surprise [!] ).

Anyhow, I decided on a dedicated head unit instead. I think a better and no doubt cheaper option. (See I.C.E. forum for my piccies )

2003 Stilo 1.6 Dynamic

Thanx for your help.
I saw the mod that you did with the facia and it looks very nice. The only thing is that is looks a little empty but nice. Couldn't you connect the iPod on the exsisting CD player? Isn't there an AUX IN that you can use?
Thanx again an i will keep your solution in mind.

Andreas (CY)
Fiat Stilo Black 1.6 3Door Dynamic, 16''Alloys

There is a tale behind this, so if we are all sitting comfortably, I will begin...

The car I received was different to the one I ordered (see other threads). It should have come with a cassette player, but I got the more recent, updated spec vehicle which included a CD player. This meant I couldn't use the tape adapter for my iPod. So I started to investigate alternatives.

I looked into FM modulators. Many people have reported in several iPod forums how hit & miss these can be. The quality is also questionable. So I moved on...

There are no auxiliary inputs on the factory fit unit, but there are connections for a CD changer. I spent nearly 3 weeks searching the internet, sending emails and visiting shops, trying to find an auxiliary convertor to allow me to hook up my iPod (RCA L/R) to this socket. The simple answer was, 'It isn't possible'.

The complicated answer - I found one on-line retailer advertising a lead that looked as though it might work, but I wasn't 100% and it was £79 + VAT + P&P !!! One local shop said it wasn't possible full stop. Another shop said it was possible if I already had a CD changer fitted. And another shop said they could make one for under £15, but they would have to see the unit (the circuit diagram wasn't enough) and may have to 'fool' the unit into thinking there was a CD changer present in order that it would accept the signal from the iPod.

So conflicting information and the possiblility of it costing a fortune, I decided to buy a new, high quality head unit instead. [8D]I think it was a good choice. Even if it still did cost a fortune


2003 Stilo 1.6 Dynamic

Nice story.
A bit complicated but i got the picture.
Even though you made a very good choice with the Clarion and the iPod it is still too much trouble for me. So i will check if an MP3 changer instalation is more affordable first and then i will continue with a solution like yours.
Thanx for the help.

Andreas (CY)
Fiat Stilo Black 1.6 3Door Dynamic, 16''Alloys

I had the iPod anyway, so I was determined I was going to use it. I guess it would be rather expensive to go out and buy a portable mp3 player and a new head unit. But if someone already has an mp3 player, it is possible to use it.

mp3 is definitely (imo) the way to go with car hi-fi. I know quality is reduced, but the car environment is hardly the place to be concerned about such small reductions in quality, what with engine and road noise to contend with. In the home, yes; in a car, no.

Furthermore, it is possible to store several albums on one CD or, in my case, several hundred on one device. I now have an empty glove-box

If you can get a CD multi-changer that accepts mp3s, then great [8D]

2003 Stilo 1.6 Dynamic

Does anybody know what mp3/CD changer units work with the stilo CD player???
I found one http://www.alpine-europe.com/2003/products2002/gb/cha_s634.htm that looks and sounds realy nice but i don't know if it's going to work.
I read that some OEM radio systems (like stilo's VISTEON system) need an OEM compatible CD-changers. What is the case with the stilo's radio system? [?]

Andreas (CY)
Fiat Stilo Black 1.6 3Door Dynamic, 16''Alloys

Just been looking at a Stilo 1.6 Dynamic today that comes with the radio/cassette and they are able to offer the cd/mp3 upgrade for £160 fitted.

regards
Andrew

<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ahatzig
What is the case with the stilo's radio system? [?]

Andreas (CY)
Fiat Stilo Black 1.6 3Door Dynamic, 16''Alloys
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Not sure actually, but I think an ICE specialist would possess more knowledge than a FIAT dealership. [!]

_________________________
2003 Stilo 1.6 Dynamic 3dr, Orion Grey, 17" Alloys, Dual Zone Climate Control, Aluminum Sills, Clarion DXZ928R, Kenwood DualMags, Clarion SRX1784, de-badged.
I accept no responsibility for anything contained in my posts, or any decisions you make based on them.[^]

<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Scorg
Just been looking at a Stilo 1.6 Dynamic today that comes with the radio/cassette and they are able to offer the cd/mp3 upgrade for £160 fitted.

regards
Andrew
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

It's not much, I would ask for this during the purchase negotiation.

_________________________
2003 Stilo 1.6 Dynamic 3dr, Orion Grey, 17" Alloys, Dual Zone Climate Control, Aluminum Sills, Clarion DXZ928R, Kenwood DualMags, Clarion SRX1784, de-badged.
I accept no responsibility for anything contained in my posts, or any decisions you make based on them.[^]

Yup, did that, getting it fitted onto the Stilo we had looked at and ready for pickup on Wednesday

Just getting the salesman to contact me on monday to confirm they did order the mp3 player so I can be a very happy chappy on wednesday

Argh!
dealer called the day to say the £160 is just cd player only and to get the MP3 version costs £400, im majorly gutted with that
Not sure what other options I would have now other then an aftermarket unit, if anyone has any idea's for a cheaper source for the stilo mp3 unit that would be apriciated

Regards

<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Scorg
Argh!
dealer called the day to say the £160 is just cd player only and to get the MP3 version costs £400, im majorly gutted with that
Not sure what other options I would have now other then an aftermarket unit, if anyone has any idea's for a cheaper source for the stilo mp3 unit that would be apriciated

Regards
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

£240 premium for MP3 decoding [:0] RIP OFF!!!!1111one2

Options to consider:

• Stick with a tape unit and use a cassette adapter with a portable MP3 player.
  
• Get the 'normal' Fiat CD unit and use an FM modulator with a portable MP3 player
  
• Pay the extra for the Fiat MP3 CD player
  
• Ditch the Fiat unit altogether and buy either a MP3 capable unit or one with AUX IN so you can hook up a portable MP3 player (This is what I did.)

_________________________
2003 Stilo 1.6 Dynamic 3dr, Orion Grey, 17" Alloys, Dual Zone Climate Control, Aluminum Sills, Clarion DXZ928R, Kenwood DualMags, Clarion SRX1784, de-badged.
I accept no responsibility for anything contained in my posts, or any decisions you make based on them.[^]

Ive given it some thought anyway and im going to call back in the morning and tell them to go stick the standard Fiat CD player in, would prefer having one thats designed for the cars dash layout rather then a stock unit and facia

Thanks for the info, its much apriciated

What's that second option Lead?
Is there a connector where i can connect my mp3 player?
Why did i miss that?

Andreas (CY)
Fiat Stilo Black 1.6 3Door Dynamic, 16''Alloys

An FM modulator uses radio (FM) waves to transmit the signal from an external device to the radio in the head unit. It basically makes your iPod, for example, a radio station to which you can tune your car's radio receiver.

Some are better than others, but the better ones aren't really that good - compared to a direct cable link, anyway. The quality of FM radio I suppose - can be ok, can be crap.

_________________________
2003 Stilo 1.6 Dynamic 3dr, Orion Grey, 17" Alloys, Dual Zone Climate Control, Aluminum Sills, Clarion DXZ928R, Kenwood DualMags, Clarion SRX1784, de-badged.
I accept no responsibility for anything contained in my posts, or any decisions you make based on them.[^]

I didn't know this thing exist. This is great staff! I've read some reviews and some of these modulators work just fine (AudiaX, LineX).
Here is what i've come throught while searching for a modulator http://www.add-a-cdchanger.co.uk/acatalog/SHOP_Home_Page_FM_Modulator_CD_Changers_46.html
The Kenwood KDC-CMP59FM is the only one that reads MP3 but cannot display ID3 tag. There is a SONY http://www.hookedontronics.com/show_product_details.jsp?cid=2556 which looks much better. Love this staff.
Thanks Lead.

Andreas (CY)
Fiat Stilo Black 1.6 3Door Dynamic, 16''Alloys

I got the car yesterday, alls great with it, but the stereo, bit annoyed over this, in the end all they stuck in was an after market sony with the facia add on, not the standard visteon unit. if I knew that I would of done it myself.
This now leaves me wondering where they got the mp3 unit price from, since the price difference between what they fitted and the mp3 unit is only a matter of £30

Regards
Andrew

Did the dealer specifically say it was going to be a Fiat unit? If they did, take the car back and get them to sort it. They have to supply what they said they would supply....

Trade desicriptions, sale of goods, etc


Roja

2003 Silver 3-Door Abarth

He never said unfortionetly, he even mentioned facia to me at one point but I took that to mean the fiat unit was of a slightly different design shape to that of the tape deck.

Regards
Andrew