Hi folks,
Just bought a Pug 406 Executive (2.0i petrol), lovely drive (esp. when compared to the previous N/96 Clio 1.9D).
Now, the stereo...
Sounds fine, looks good, CD multichanger in the boot, tape & radio in the front.
But, I've always had a minidisc player in the Clio, and have about 60 mds prepared ready for the car, as opposed to having 0 tapes (or a tape deck on which to produce them, even if i could deal with the quality issues), and I wouldn't feel overly comfortable leaving lots of CDs original CDs (quick test, it doesn't like to play CD-Rs, at least not those I produced on my laptop last night) in the car (as (a) wouldn't be able to play them in the house (b) would worry about theft).
Ideally, i'd like to replace the stereo with a minidisc header unit, keeping the multichanger in the boot to run from it.
BUT, this raises a few questions:
* The Pug stereo is an abnormal shape/size, my guess is behind it there is a more plan facia and standard sized stereo slot, or else a bit of placcy the right shape, but with a normal sized slot, could be obtained from a dealer etc? Can anyone confirm / deny before I pop the old unit out to see?
* The current stereo does all its display on the screen alongside the trip computer, etc, which is kinda nice. Any way to have another stereo display up here? (guessing not). What happens to all that space if the old stereo is gone? does it look ok? guessing just blank?
* In the past i've seen adapters for the original fitment steering column remotes for controlling an after-market stereo (for example, a friends astra coupe standard controls controlling a sony MD deck rather than the original CD deck). Does anyone know if there is one available for the 406?
* Or finally, does anyone know if there is a replacement original equipment MD deck, which would obviously solve all of the above problems, though doubtless at higher cost?
Thanks folks!
Gav.
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Partial solution, to control a sony header unit from the pug column stick:
www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product.asp?product=20035
£50 though.
Also, have found Sony MD (also MP3 on CD, which is an appetising option) multi changers which will work with the existing header unit, which seems the nicest way to go as far as keeping the insides looking nice goes.
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This is starting to look bad, turned up this site too:
www.incardiscount.co.uk/acatalog/PEUGEOT_STALK___D...l
Which lists a 406 stalk and screen adapter for Sony header units, anyone had any experience with this or a similar product?
This is almost exactly what I want (especially if it can continue to run the existing cd-multi-changer unit).
Cheers,
Gav.
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Hi Gav,
Got similar dilemma....
Have a 406 Coupe with factory fitted Clarion Tape/Radio in front (Big chunk of plastic) and Clarion 6 disc changer in boot along with JBL amp and 6 JBL speakers.
Amp and speakers are the business but the Tape is about as useful as an 8 Track and all my stuff is also on MD.
It seems MD changers are a rip off to buy and u need ideally a Sony head unit to match. Add to that the problem keeping the CD Changer and having to relocate the MD changer elsewhere and it presents a big headache!.
I'm coming to the conclusion that I have to sacrifice MD as an option and plumb for a CD head unit that plays CDR/RW and MP3 and ideally plugs into the cd changer and JBL Amp. To me this sounds like Clarion is the way to go but I'm not sure if the Amp and Cd Changer will definately marry up with modern gear.
The other problem is the stalk will probably only operate with Sony head units and not Clarion ones....never an easy job is it!.
Anyway if you have any ideas or came up with anything of interest yourself I'd appreciate the heads up!.
Cheers in advance,
Dazz
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Just a suggestion. There is an MP3 player available that is shaped like a cassette, and slips into the cassette slot.
Basically you load all your mp3's on it when its out the car, and just slip it in the slot when you want to hear mp3's stored in it.
Not sure how you control the playlist tho.
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Hi There,
Thanks for responding...seems no-one else out there has anything to add!.
I know of the mp3 player you mention. As far as I'm aware it's 128MB. I have a Rio 500 with a total of 128MB Ram which I have used on occasion with the aid of a cassette adapter. Biggest problem with any mp3 player in the car is the lack of storage space, the awkwardness of selecting tracks while driving and the inability to swiftly update the contents without going back to a PC every so often.
What I'm looking for is a CD Head Unit with MP3 playback built in and the facility to either plug in my existing CD Changer or alternatively add an MD Changer. Either way it would be essential to re-use the existing JBL Amp and speakers and would be nice if I could retain steering wheel controls.
Looks like some tough choices ahead and as no-one else seems to have done this looks like I'm going to be a guinea-pig!.
All the best,
Dazz
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I used to use a normal adapter for connecting a personal cd player to the casstte player on a minidisc player with the inline control blutaced beneath the stereo, worked fine for flicking up or down a track. it didnt look fantastic but was very easy to take it out and take with you and leave nothing nickable in the car. bearing in mind car is 17 years old therefore not very secure. that worked fine pretty sure it would work inn this case
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A Pioneer head unit seems to be your best bet in this case - the higher end units come with RCA connectors to enable direct connection to an amp, and Pioneer also do steering wheel control adapter harnesses for 406's.
I did this three years ago by replacing the base Philips tape player on my '99 406 with a Pioneer KEH-8010R (tape) and 6 disc changer. Their CD/WMA/MP3 head units will also connect to a CD changer, however never had much success looking for a Pioneer MD changer.
I don't think the existing changer will work with this setup, but the Pioneer equivalent isn't too expensive and there seems to be a ready market for the old unit on eBay :)
One other thing to watch - the steering control adapter harnesses are different for pre- and post- '99 models, so make sure you get the right one first time - I didn't!
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I have a 98S Exec and the CD changer plays CDRs just fine... actually only bit of the car that isn't broken following its recent cam belt failure. Have you tried using a lens-cleaner CD? And you're definitely using CDRs not CDRWs (very few audio players will play these) which you've tested work OK in another audio player? Just a thought.
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