RE: Stock Bose Stereo

[Tim Irwin <timi@Interlinq.com>]

The other option that they come with is a "Premium" system (next step down
in the VW line) with a 6 disk changer. This seems to only drive 2-4 of the
front speakers (top dash definitely don't work, I'm not sure if both the
bottom dash and door speakers work) and the main rear deck speakers. It may
be that the tweeters on the rear deck are running, but its hard to tell. The
tweeter pods in the rear doors don't do anything (do they with the Bose?).
Apparently VW was having trouble with some of the Bose amps, and used the
Premium/CD changer as a like-cost replacement.

I was hoping to get the Bose system, and thought the car I was buying had it
until I showed up and saw the CD-changer. The salesman offered to look into
getting the Bose system, and I also had him check into pulling both the head
unit and CD to get a stereo credit. I went ahead and bought the car anyway
(I figured Porcelain Blue to be pretty rare), and we'll see how they do on
this after the sale.

Failing the pre-sale promises, I may have a "Premium" head unit and
Panasonic 6-disk changer (rect. plug) for sale in a bit.

A few questions someone might know the answers to:

 - If the Bose system wiring is in the car (possibly not due to the
"Premium" system), could this be useable for an aftermarket system?
 - Are there any problems fitting in an aftermarket head unit other than the
pin 15?/diagnostic plug problem?

Thanks,
Tim Irwin
'98 Porcelain Blue Met./black leather
bun warmers (boy those will be nice after skiing)
Bone stock
~150 miles (850 left until the fun begins)

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Chuck Simpson [SMTP:csimpson@zeltech.com]
> Sent:	Monday, September 21, 1998 6:26 AM
> To:	jettaglx@igtc.com
> Subject:	Re: Stock Bose Stereo
> 
> Hey Billy,
> 
> The Bose stereo option came with 10 speakers (4 - front dash, 2 - front
> door, 4 - rear deck) and a 100-watt Bose amplifier mounted underneath
> the rear deck in the trunk.  The head-unit says Bose on the damn
> faceplate,
> 
> but it actually is a Panasonic (I'm not sure if Clarion had Bose on them
> too).
> The unfortunate thing about the stock head-unit is the quality of sound.
> I think someone had mentioned the head-unit doesn't support the full
> frequency range in which humans can hear.  Lots of folks that have
> replaced
> 
> the head-unit alone say the difference is tremendous.  I don't want to
> fork
> 
> out $300+ on the silly 6-disk CD changer if the sound will still suck.
> I know some out there got the CD changer WAY CHEAPER... but I've
> only seen them for around $289 and higher...
> 
> The stock system in my '98 actually sounds better than any other stock
> system I've heard, except for a friends Lexus SC400 with some 400watt
> Nakamichi system.  I'm sure there are plenty others out there.
> I still am not satisfied with my stock though.
> 
> About the keyhole thing, since they started providing all VW's with
> keyless entry, they stopped having the passenger side door keyhole.
> Someone on the list actually was tempted to remove the driver-side
> keyhole as well... and have a completely keyless car, but I think that
> would be a problem if the battery dies on the keychain.  You can open
> all doors with the driver-side keyhole anyways.
> 
> c-ya,
> 
> -Chuck Simpson...
> '98 White Jetta GLX-VR6 (11/97 build)
>    which may explain why my '98 came with BOSE...
> 
> 
> Billy T. wrote:
> 
> > What is a Bose Stero?;)  Next thing, you guys are gonna tell me that
> > your Jettas came a keyhole on the passenger side door.
> >
> > Billy T.
> > 1998 GTI VR6
> > For some reason, we don't get the Bose option.  And even stranger than
> > that, no keyhole on the passenger side door.  I guess that is VWs way of
> > keeping the weight down on the GTI;)  Who needs all those frills
> > anyways.
> 
>