2008 Polo - No MP3??

[OWC]

Hi guys,

My girlfriend recently bought a new Polo built in '07 to an '08 specification (purchased just before the Pacific and Edition came out). When purchasing the vehicle we were assured on 3 or 4 separate occasions that it had MP3 playback capability. When we picked the car up, though, it was evident that this was not the case. I am wondering if an '08 Polo Match 1.6 should have MP3 playback capability? I feel a little stooged to be honest, because my brother and I have bought 2 Golf GTIs from this dealership, and I feel we were duped a little bit into buying the Polo (because MP3 playback was a real selling point for my girlfriend - her old car had it and she wasn't going to take a step backwards, if you know what I mean).

If indeed the '08 Polo Match never did have MP3 compatibility, then what options do you think she should explore? I have the OEM iPod adapter in my GTI but I don't like the fact I can't see track names and think in general it's a little bit fiddly with all those playlists and stuff you have to set up. Are there any good headunits out there which sit flush against the rest of the Polo dash? Are there any which are the same colour or made specifically for the Polo?

A little peeved so any advice would be great.

[bluey]

Perhaps a matter of semantics???

MP3 compatibility means one can put CDs with MP3 files in the CD player and they will play.

MP3 compatibility <> iPod compatibility.

iPod adapter is a VW accessory.

[OWC]

I don't think was a semantic issue, at all.

I didn't think I needed to specify that I meant "MP3 compatibility" to mean CDs with MP3s on them. But yes, I mean the actual head unit doesn't play CDs with MP3 files.

I understand how the iPod and the iPod adapter works - this wasn't the issue I raised with the dealer, nor the question I have raised above. My question to the dealer was specifically regarding the head unit of the car, and MP3 CDs.

Any other suggestions?

[bluey]

If you're sure about the conversation - you could ask them to swap the head unit.

[MJ - polo gti]

mines 08 plays mp3 burnt cds.
it would be a warrenty issue just take it back and get them to fix it.

[v0dka]

mines 08 plays mp3 burnt cds.
it would be a warrenty issue just take it back and get them to fix it.

The 08 GTI has a different unit to the 08 Club/Match/TDI. The latter does not carry MP3 support.

[MJ - polo gti]

The 08 GTI has a different unit to the 08 Club/Match/TDI. The latter does not carry MP3 support.

sorry didn't relise the models where different.
my bad...

[philthy]

G'day mate.

I would hazard a guess that all of the polos have the same loom at the back of the head unit, so you could probably swap in an RCD200 with MP3 that someone on here has pulled out of their GTI. If you wanted to take a punt at the dealer the new edition/ pacific models have an mp3 unit, so you may be able to squeeze them for one, considering they made a point that the car was coming with an mp3 head unit.

If you want something a little better quality, there's plently of Alpine/ Kenwood/ Pioneer after market units that will sound better and have much better ipod support than the VW adaptor (I have an Alpine CDA9887 on my to do list). A few of the guys on here have aftermarket units, and I dont think you lose much in the way of functionality, except maybe the auto volume up/down thing. There's piccys on here somewhere of what they look like.

Cheers,

-Phil

Edit: Some linkage

http://http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=18990

http://http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=21632

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad+unit&page=4

[OWC]

Thanks very much for the feedback guys.

To bluey, I am certain regarding the specifics of the conversation. I was very thorough with my query and made it quite clear I was talking about that specific head unit and it's capacity to playback MP3 CDs.

To Phil, thanks for the suggestions. I noticed about a month after she'd boght the car that the new model had come out, which was a little annoying, but to be expected considering we got a brand new auto Match with metallic for 18k on the road (!). We were happy with the price, so I suppose we shouldn't complain too much! Maybe we should spend the savings on a new unit, I'm not too sure. I'll check out the links you've provided.

Cheers.

Ollie

[bluey]

New models of Polo do have MP3 support - mine does - has mp3 symbol top centre of the head unit.

With a very clear recollection of the discussion and an apparent misrepresentation by the dealer, you could try getting a head unit swap - depends how hard you're prepared to negotiate. If prepared to complain to a higher authority, you'd have some negotiating power.

(Or could be easier to source an unwanted unit or even upgrade to a satnav-capable unit.)

EG: http://members.optusnet.com.au/auspa...ductPage7.html
(Though note some forum members have mentioned some issues - search for AVC9000.)
I have also seen pics somewhere of a genuine VW/audi unit imported from overseas - but could be issues with radio channels.

[mikepologti]

im trying to split hairs here, but my g'friends car is mp3 compatable too, however unfortunatly all mp3 files and cds arnt created equal. so some cd's written by some programs, with so many differant anti piracy code running around wont run on her cd player either regardless if they are mp3 or not. if anything (if you havnt already done this) id buy or borrow a cd and see if it plays.the only reason i say this is because a friend "accidently" ,"procures" songs from the internet alot and burns them to cd, for 2 weeks he spent ample time with customer care trying to figure out why his mp3 player wasnt working , it was simply the program and cd quality he was buying . he brought a cd and it was fine. antipiracy code "1", friend who learnt a lesson "0"

[kevvie]

I have a unit that came out of my GTI gathering dust on a bookshelf in my study, let me know if you are interested. Has the mp3 logo on it, can't vouch for what it plays as it was in the car for less than a week.

[Pumpe-Düse]

One of the many things I was dissapointed with when I got my 08 Polo 1.9 TDI was that it indeed did not support MP3 CD's, despite being assured by the dealer that it did.

[leasaunce]

the 2008 polo match doesnt hav mp3. not the courtesy car that i drove

[DaveMack]

I have a unit that came out of my GTI gathering dust on a bookshelf in my study, let me know if you are interested. Has the mp3 logo on it, can't vouch for what it plays as it was in the car for less than a week.

It'll play MP3 ... mine is the same model and plays MP3s just fine.

Dave