[UTdaneVW]

I have an 8:30 appointment for the dealer to install the single in-dash CD player tomorrow. But I was reading a post earlier that said many of you guys got the dealer to install it for free because it was a standard feature. I have a 2002 Jetta GL and from the vw website I can't tell what they mean. Here is the quote form the vw website:
"Premium V, 8-speaker AM/FM cassette stereo
sound system with control capability for
(optional) CD changer, and single CD, theft-
deterrent warning light and coding system."
Now what I cant tell is if the "(optional)" is applying to everything after the brackets or just the CD changer, because I have the theft-deterrent light and the coding system, so this would lead me to believe that the "(optional)" only applies to the CD changer, which means I should have gotten a CD player with my car.
So I am asking if you guys had one in your car already or if they installed it for free because it was a standard freature? If you guys didnt have it installed or it wasnt there please interpret the quote from the vw website and tell me if you think it is the CD changer is optional or everything.
I really need a quick response so that I can figure out whats going on tomorrow morning. If I was cheated out of it in the first place then I will print out this thread and get it put in for free. Please help me out, I just want to get this straitened away.

 

[bergenvr6]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (UTdaneVW)

what i heard when i bought my car is that 2002's will have the single cd in dash standard and since it's a running change, there are some 2002s on the lot without it. therefore, i was told that dealers should give it to you for free. however, my dealer didn't, so it's not a universal thing. Mine was an earlier 2002 and it didn't have it installed.
I paid $100 for it in addition to my negotiated price, BUT it was a free install.
I had it on the papers that I was to receive one when it came in and the install would be free. If you don't have it in writing, you might end up getting charged. Depends on your dealer and how shady they are. Hope that helps.

 

[UTdaneVW]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (UTdaneVW)

Thanks bergenvr6. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
This was my interpretation of it too, but im sure I need the strength in numbers to get them to listen to me, so please people keep them coming so I can have a valid arguement tomorrow.

 

[bergenvr6]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (UTdaneVW)

when was your car manufactured? i thought the ones coming from the factory now all had the in dash installed?

 

[UTdaneVW]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (UTdaneVW)

I picked my car up two weeks ago come saturday. I dont know the production date, but it has to be pretty recent.

 

[UTdaneVW]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (UTdaneVW)

bump, i need answers please.

 

[UTdaneVW]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (UTdaneVW)

well im going to bed now, its 1 oclock, but please post some responses I can use because I need them in the morning.

 

[mrdejected]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (UTdaneVW)

my 02 has the double din single in dash cd player
i have the brackets for the 6 disc in the back.. with the wiring.. pre-installed when i got the car...
i bought the cd changer just a little while ago.. comes on monday http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[Mizzy]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (UTdaneVW)

I have the 6-disc. If I am not mistaken, all I had to do was pay for the changer and they covered labor for me. Took them 45 minutes to put it in and detail my car (it was brand new still with the plastic coverings and everything)

 

[smd3]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (UTdaneVW)

Mine has the double din cd/tape. The dealer told me it was a running change, he said nothing about putting them into cars that didn't have them. Then again, he may not have because my car already has one.
Now, I'm confused about the monsoon package. I didn't think I got it, but my stereo says monsoon when it starts up, and I have an amplifier.

 

[Bev]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (smd3)

I picked up my 02 GOLF GLS TDI Tuesday night and it has the double din single disc CD player. I am going to buy a 6 disc CD changer. My car has the bracket and is pre-wired.
I understood that any 2002 cars that came without it would be entitled to have one installed free at the dealer.

 

[agarc]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (Bev)

I wish this was true because I had to pay for parts and labor. I bought my 2002 in late Sept. 01. I've never heard that it's supposed to be free installation. However, it should be... the MSRP is the same for a 2002 and a 2002.5. Oh well, it's installed, paid for, looks/sounds great, I'm happy.
I hope I don't hear from somebody that got it installed for free!
edit: Oh, I just installed the Panasonic 6-disc changer 3 days ago. If you want a CD changer, don't shell out the money for the factory model. The panasonic (from logjamelectronics.com) was easy to install and took about 15 minutes; and I saved ~$400.


[Modified by agarc, 8:39 AM 2-8-2002]

 

[TheCeleryStalker]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (UTdaneVW)

Most of the time they will throw it in if you refuse to buy without a cd player, which is how i got mine. But, since you already took delivery of your car you probably don't have much recourse with the dealer.

 

[mzd]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (TheCeleryStalker)

yep, that was my experience, but I bought used. Anyway, the one I got had the indash cd, but I looked at one at another dealership and they said they would throw one in, if it meant a sale. I think because the 2002's are supposed to have the indash cd standard (my interpretation of the above quote and what dealers have said) that you have a pretty good arguement for free install as well as a free player. Good luck! Of course, it's almost 8:30 here (central time), so you are probably on your way or there already. Let us know how it went!

 

[rbenjami]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (mzd)

I can clear up a few things:
1)Monsoon has nothing to do with the head unit. If you have an amp in the trunk and your headunit says "Monsoon" when you turn it on, you have it. (VW simply programs the same unit that is used in the non-monsoon system to display "Monsoon".) The speakers are different as well, but both have 8.
2) The Double Din radio was a running 2002 change. The double din has both a cassette and indash single CD. Dealers are given a rebate from VW to install an "old style" seperate in dash single CD if your 2002 came with a single din "old style" radio. (I believe the rebate is for ~$150 or so - it won't cover the WHOLE thing, but most of it.)
3) All 2002's (and probably earlier years as well) come with a bracket in the trunk and a wire harness for the 6 CD changer.
4) It is unclear if the GL line is included in 1-3 above. They may not be getting the running change. (Someone posted that the GL's weren't a while ago, but I have no idea. It should be easy enough to find out by seeing if ANYONE with a 2002 GL got the double din.)
Known Problems
5) Some have complained about the new double din radio. They say that it does not sound as nice as the older one. Others also say that theirs has mysteriously stoped working. Many say that getting an aftermarket HU will make a HUGE difference in the sound quality. (Be careful though, because dealers will not use their VAG tool on your car w/o removing the aftermarket radio.)
6) Some have complained that the trunk mounted CD changer in the trunk is pretty lousy quality. In cold weather it stops working and has trouble reading CD-Rs.
My Experiences
7) I have a 2002 non-monsoon double din radio in my Jetta 1.8T. I listened to the monsoon and non-monsoon side by side when buying my car. The monsoon did not have any better sound then stock. It simply played louder. I also noticed terrible clipping on the monsoon system as well as major imaging problems. At normal listening levels the non-monsoon actually sounded BETTER. In my opinion it was not worth spending $1 on.
8) I have not had any reliability problems with my stereo. It works fine and sounds great. The Jetta cabin has some weird accustics which make setting fader and balance a little tricky, but it can be done. I also don't have any rattling in the doors from the speakers.
9) In the interest of full disclosure, I am a bit older then most on Vortex and listen to mostly jazz and classic rock. When riding with my baby in the back, the volume is rather low. I am, however, rather "into" audio and know what I am listening to. The Jetta system is no Mark Levinson system, but it is quite good for a stock radio.
One other thing
10) The VW site is really out of date. Don't trust what it says as it hasn't been updated in ages. They also won't be held to what it says, so don't even bother trying to make your case based on it. There are all kinds of legal disclaimers stating that, basically, they can slap a VW Jetta GLS 1.8T badge on a Yugo and it will be a VW Jetta GLS 1.8T.


[Modified by rbenjami, 9:45 AM 2-8-2002]

 

[UTdaneVW]

Re: *help* Going to the dealer tomorrow, need opinions. (UTdaneVW)

Well I just got back from the dealer, I read through all the memos on the running 2002 changes and it does not include the the premium V sound system. The other systems have running changes and modifications, but most of us early 2002 GL people will have to pay for it. They said since I took delivery and have had the car for almost 2 weeks that they could not give me a discount or free installation. So the bill came to 385 and some change after taxes.
On a lighter note, it sounds wonderful, I love it, and players CD-R's with ease. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif