[Rebbit]

Contemplating ordering a Cooper in the next day or so, but confused about audio options.

UK brochure says following about the Wave & BOOST radio:

Quote:

Both radios have FM, MW and LW receptionm six pre-set buttons and a volume control system which automatically adjusts according to the speed you are travelling.

Can some one with a WAVE radio please confirm that the volume does auto vary with speed - as other postings in this forum suggest that only the BOOST Radio can do this.

===

The price list states the following for the CD Changer :

Quote:

CD Changer 6 disc unit in boot (Radio BOOST optional)

- which seems to mean that the WAVE radio is able to work with the CD Changer. Given that the CD Changer costs £235 and the Single CD unit with BOOST costs £205, I'm inclined to go for just the CD Changer.

Its unclear if the WAVE radio is RDS and no mention of whether it has the traffic announcement feature ?

I should have asked the dealer, but I would be happier to hear the facts from somebody who actually owns one.

[Minty]

Rebbit,

I used to have the standard Wave unit in. I never noticed any automatic increase in volume, but i have now changed the stereo anyway.

I also think the standard wave can run an autochanger (as long as it is CD prepped at factory).

Not sure on RDS EON, but the wave unit does show Station Name and can pick up traffic info, so does that make it RDS?

If you need any more info, just ask.

Stephen

[Johnboy]

The Philips WAVE radio - apart from being much better than I expected and ergonomically, IMHO, very well thought out, does have RDS for NEWS and TRAFFIC/Travel info.
It doesn't appear to have the other RDS categories, but i'm willing to be proved wrong.

Regards the CD conversion, I don't believe this is available as that was what I was told originally.

Sony do a boot mounted CD-Changer that emits a radio signal.
You simply tune in one of your FM radio channels to the CD unit in the boot - This, IMHO, would be an option, rather than buying the boost and changer unit.

Personally, I had the head unit removed and had a nice little Clarion number dropped in, in it's place.
Toying with a small sub for the boot now

[Red & White Cooper 2]

Just got my Cooper yesterday, so I've been reading the manuals.

I have the standard Wave radio. The manual does say it can be used with a CD autochanger and gives instructions on how to select a CD track.

[JonBlakeburn]

Quote:

Originally posted by Johnboy

Personally, I had the head unit removed and had a nice little Clarion number dropped in, in it's place.

Clarion? Pah!



Alpine every time

[Dom]

From what I remember from my Wave (before it was swapped for a d's b's Nakamichi), it did have the CD changer controls... actually, I'll just have a look at it now...

Ok, there's the standard BMW 3 series connector, radion connection, one male 10 pin socket and one female 10 pin socket. I'm presuming one of these is CD changer? perhaps another for the multifunction steering wheel.

Hope that helps

Dom

[iabbott]

Does the wave radio have an autoreverse tape deck, or do you have to turn it over yourself?

[Red & White Cooper 2]

I've only owned my Cooper a few days and haven't got bored enough to turn on the radio yet, or play a tape. However, the manual tells you how to change tape sides without ejecting the tape, so I would guess it has auto-reverse.

[Crashandburn]

I have the standard WAVE radio, with the optional 6-disc changer.

I've definitely not noticed any automatic increase in volume, but as it doesn't display a volume level and I tend to turn it up manually I can't swear it doesn't. It operates the CD changer fine, but doesn't display your position in the track (i.e you get Disc 1 track 2, not 3 min 42 sec etc.). I don't tend to use the radio much, so I'm unsure about RDS, although I do know it doesn't display any RDS symbol but as said earlier does display station name, so ........ Ditto, for the cassette, but I'll check whether it autoreverses and re-post.

I would recommend getting the BOOST radio option though, especially if you go for the changer. I noticed an immediate drop in sound quality when I picked up my car (compared to my last car), and I'm practically tone deaf. The only reason I didn't get it in the first place was because I thought it was automatic with the changer .

On that note, does anyone know :-

1) if a dealer can upgrade an existing WAVE radio to the BOOST version?
2) what it costs?
3) whether or not its worth it?

Or should I be thinking along the lines of an after market specialist? (and before you suggest DIY, I should point out I'm a great believer in DDIY).

[Dom]

the cassette has got auto reverse...

and in answer to your questions, I'm not too sure if this can be fitted afterwards - as far as I'm aware the boost has an amp of some vague sort and uprated speakers. I'm sure that if you bought the amp (and head unit, if it's different), of someone who has the boost pack and changed it it would work though.

Dom

[Coopergeezer]

Quote:

Originally posted by Crashandburn
I have the standard WAVE radio, with the optional 6-disc changer.

On that note, does anyone know :-

1) if a dealer can upgrade an existing WAVE radio to the BOOST version?
2) what it costs?
3) whether or not its worth it?

1) Yes they can, however they need to use an adapter (£10)
2) The quote I got from my dealer was £470 + Fitting.
3) Oh yes, definetly worth doing. Sound quality is much much better