ICE help!

[VRS Mike]

I've had my Ocy VRS for a week now and have sorted a few niggly problems with it but I can't get over how pants the factory ICE is. Can anyone recommend somewhere around Oxford where I can get a full ICE install? I'm not looking for anything too fancy but want an upgraded head unit, speakers possibly powered by an amp. I can't really be arsed to do it DIY so would prefer to get the pro's in.Can anyone recommend a good head unit for circa £300? I would like something with a hard drive to download my CD's or MP3's directly onto it but haven't been able to find anything. I guess I could always buy an iPod to use for the car and get a compatible head unit?Cheers guysMike

[VRS Mike]

Well I think I am going to go with one of these http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-alpine-ida-x305_p-23698.htm just need to find replacement speakers now. Any recommendations?

[Bertee]

My brother's got one of those in his Golf. Nice HU

[VRS Mike]

Would it improve the sounds generated from the stock speakers? Or should I just replace?

[Bertee]

I'd say replace. Standard speakers are not up to much with a standard HU.

[VRS Mike]

Will do, any recommendations?

[Jcb.]

Front speakers do alright if you remove the section of membrane behind them which you'll have to do if you fit aftermarkets anyway. Definitely worth a try first, as I did it and decided I didn't need to replace them the quality and depth of sound improved so much!

Incidentally Mike, where abouts are you based in Oxford?

[DeeBe]

Do you have to remove the whole doorcard though Jcb? Or do the grilles remove by themselves?

[Jcb.]

remove grilles and unscrew speakers. then you've got more than enough room to simply peel away the part that will improve the sound!

[VRS Mike]

Front speakers do alright if you remove the section of membrane behind them which you'll have to do if you fit aftermarkets anyway. Definitely worth a try first, as I did it and decided I didn't need to replace them the quality and depth of sound improved so much!

Incidentally Mike, where abouts are you based in Oxford?

I'm in Wantage mate, what about you? I will remove that membrane tomorrow see if that helps.CheersMike

[DeeBe]

Splendid! I thoight I had to remove the whole doorcard!!! Cheers!

[Jcb.]

I'm in Cumnor, not far away at all! Keep us updated as to how you think the sound improves or not. An idea to test, is to do the modification to one side, then use the balance controls on the headunit to do a direct comparison between them.

[VRS Mike]

Will try it later and report back.

[VRS Mike]

are you on about the foam behind the speaker? I started to remove it but there was some moisture on it so put it back on as I don't want to get water into the speaker.

[Jcb.]

Yeah, it's like a foamy skin. perhaps that was condensation. Can't say as i'm too sure since that hadn't happened on mine. I haven't noticed any leaks or water intrusion either?

[VRS Mike]

it has been lashing it down solid for days though. I guess most people do this sort of mod when its dry?

Where do you get you motor serviced? Do you know a descent VAG specialist close to me?

Cheers mate

Mike

[Jcb.]

Perhaps it's the excessive rain. If you don't feel comfortable with it then, your best bet is to just leave it. The problem is, that by buying some aftermarket speakers, you're then limited to shallow ones. Furthermore, I should imagine that you'll end up with the same problem as standards whereby there is no room behond the speaker for the air to move and therefore resonate. Meaning you get a very tinny sound. As said this may still be true no matter what quality of speaker sits here.

Other alternatives include slashing that piece of foam to allow air to pass freely. I personally couldn't seen any difference to this or taking that disc piece out. Except that you can glue that back in if you decide you want to revert it. Not as easily done with it slashed to bits.

I get it done at Grey gables Skoda in Witney as that's where the car came from and has every one of it's stamps from. Only a 15 minute drive along the back roads from you?