Newbie advice please

[markb]

Just bought a 2000 X smart and pure (I think), L/H drive, speedo in km/h. It seems to have a standard radio/cassette fitted. Where do I look for alternatives that will give me cd in the car? I don't have an mp3 player or i-phone.

[137699]

Re: Newbie advice please

You can get a genuine Smart (Grundig) CD player 2nd hand off of ebay fairly cheap - usually for about £40-£60. Just make sure it's the same colour as your dash (most likely the bluey finish rather than the grey of the RHD cars).

Or if you prefer you can get a fascia adaptor plate for about £8-£12 (again off of ebay or at places like Halfords) and then you can fit whatever CD player you like. Just unplug the cables from the back of the cassette player and they will plug directly into any new CD player.

[coolfart]

Re: Newbie advice please

The facia plate is the best option....gives you a much greater choice of what head unit you can install.......and I think you will probably only find the smart/grundig CD player in grey surround, as I dont think they were fitted to early cars? You could also search ebay etc for a multichanger CD which will mount under the seat, and connect to your existing tape player.

If changing to a different head unit you will also need an adapter cable (to connect it up, unles you really want to mess about cutting & soldering all the wires?)...as the connections on other head units won't match the standard ones. I think they are about £6 -7.

:goodlk:

[53pure]

Re: Newbie advice please

If changing to a different head unit you will also need an adapter cable (to connect it up, unles you really want to mess about cutting & soldering all the wires?)...as the connections on other head units won't match the standard ones. I think they are about £6 -7.

:goodlk:

This is partially true, some older head units have the same ISO connection as the one in the Smarts (as mine does). So if you go for an eBay jobby for a cd player, and its an older type, the cables may fit straight in. The only thing you will need is a male Antenna adapter, which you can pick up for about £3!!

[problemchild1976]

Re: Newbie advice please

i bought a sony cd/mp3 HU for around £100.

It plays mp3's off of a CD - you can get hundreds on one CD and you browse the folders like you would on your comp.

most important thing in my opinion is to get the bass bins fitted and upgrade the speakers (as they are made of tissue paper)

http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?id=517

then you can add a small active sub in the boot behind the seat to give the sound some depth

http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?id=147

JJ

[TallOrder]

Re: Newbie advice please

With both of our Smarts we've gone with an even easier option still, as we both prefer the look of the original head units :p

I bought a couple of leads from Evilution's website - £20 each - which just plug into ISO socket (CD Changer?) in the back of the stereo and end in a standard 3.5mm jack

The only thing is I'm not sure if he still makes them as he's no longer updating his site?

If you do want to go down this route, the instructions are here:

http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?id=400

[MrPoo]

Re: Newbie advice please

Or you could retrofit a cd changer (and maybe check there's not one there already!) under the passenger seat, connects to the current stereo.

[coolfart]

Re: Newbie advice please

I'm sure I said that as an alternative.......................yep....I did!!!

Adam....the OP said he doesn't have mp3 player or iphone....so no need for the lead to the unit to play them!!!! DOH!!!

[MrPoo]

Re: Newbie advice please

I'm sure I said that as an alternative.......................yep....I did!!!

Adam....the OP said he doesn't have mp3 player or iphone....so no need for the lead to the unit to play them!!!! DOH!!!

Oops, so you did. That'll learn me

Yeah, I get fed up of people suggesting I retrofit a cd player to use an ipod, I don't know how to download music so even if I had the technology, I'd still rather use a cd!

[TallOrder]

Re: Newbie advice please

Adam....the OP said he doesn't have mp3 player or iphone....so no need for the lead to the unit to play them!!!! DOH!!!

But you could still plug in a portable cd player, Walkman or anything with a standard headphone socket...

[markb]

Re: Newbie advice please

Thanks for all the prompt replies everyone. I think I will probably go down the fascia plate route and get a head unit from Halfords or one of local ICE places. may even look for a pop-out screen type for sat-nav.

[markb]

Re: Newbie advice please

Oh yeah, AND I will look under the seats to see if there is a multi-changer already fitted. i don't think there will be as it was pre-owned by an "old lady" according to the garage. Nothing against Grannies.....I'm married to one myself........so don't go getting the wrong idea.

[MrPoo]

Re: Newbie advice please

Oh yeah, AND I will look under the seats to see if there is a multi-changer already fitted. i don't think there will be as it was pre-owned by an "old lady" according to the garage. Nothing against Grannies.....I'm married to one myself........so don't go getting the wrong idea.

AFAIK, it was never sold with just a tape player so Grandma probably sold the changer