The head unit and the 6 disc CD are actually the strongest parts fot he OEM system. Replacing the head unit is a waste of money until the other components are replaced. The weakest part is the speakers, whether standard, HiFi or bose, they are all crap. I started with the speakers, Focal 100KP's in the dash, with the crossovers in the trunk, Focal 100 slim lines in the rear and Focal 5WS in the doors (I had the HiFi option with door speakers). Just this made an increible difference. Then I added a JL Audio E6450 amp, 6 channels. system sounds great now, still using the stock head unit and the 6 disc player. I would hold my system up to any system with an upgraded head and the stock speakers, the best head unit in the world will sound bad through bad speakers, and the OEM are worthless.

There are lots of threads on upgrades here, on Rennlist and on Renntech. Do some searches.

 

Thanks Im reading some threads now. It seems I can do something that will sound good for around $700

 

Yes you can for around $700. I did mine for around $550 and that got me 4 brand new Boston Acoustics speakers and a amplified sub with 8" inch subs. It has made a huge difference in my sound. Love it. If you install yourself then your looking at less than $600 for my set up.

 

Did yiou put the JL Audio E6450 amp in yourself?

 

I didn't like the sound of mine, so installed a PSE so I didn't have to listen to it.

 

Funny to me that a 75k when new car would have the biggest POS stereo system I have ever heard also.....it is absolute junk.

 

Have the bose option in my cab and the sound is absolutely terrible. Even when listening to CD's the volume fluctuates without even touching the sound

 

Could this be the speed-sensitive volume feature? If so, you can lessen the effect or disable this feature entirely.

 

How do i do this?

 

I have an 01 with the HIFI so my replacement hasn't been too bad. I replaced my HU with an Alpine W505 and I am working on the speakers, sub and amps next. I am an audio guy though, some people see no point in our cars but I have to have a loud car.

 

To whoever used the 6 channel JL audio amp.... How much did you get it for and did you run all new speaker wires to the map or did you splice into the existing wires in the car?

 

i noticed that the sound quality on the radio is better than the ones for my cd, when i get to the later tracks my cd starts making static... so weird..

 

Maybe I have bad taste in audios, but I'm very happy and impressed with my factory Bose system. I have an amp in the front boot on the firewall.
The two rectangular holes on the rear deck are cool to look at and you can feel air coming out as the bass hits. Treble is quite clear, the only thing I believe they can improve would be the mid range.

 

I am using either two seperate amps or one new amp JL Audio still hasn't released.
Either way JL Audio makes excellent product that you can't go wrong with.
This is their only 6 channel amp
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_amps.php?amp_id=481


They did however make a 500/5 amp which is 5 channel.

I would still recommend waiting for this if you plan to replace all your speakers and add a sub. It should be relased this month.

 

Are you putting in all new speaker wires??? how much you think for that 6chan amp?