Anyone know anything about this thing?

Posted by: Heather

Anyone know anything about this thing? - 30/03/2003 21:20

http://www.aiwana.com/audio.htm

I'll ne getting a New Beetle Convertible to use for the next year, and I'm looking for a quick and dirty way to get the empeg into the dash. Any hope of rigging this to work?

Remember to post any replies as if you're giving instructions to a slightly dim small child. I'm pretty spastic when it comes to these things.
Posted by: SE_Sport_Driver

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 31/03/2003 07:00

Nice find. I'm reading up on this... see what I can find. My wife has a New Beetle Turbo Sport but it has the Monsoon package... I'm not sure if this works with Monsoon(?).

On a side note: Do you know of a cheap source for extra 6-cd cartridges? I think Pioneer makes them, so maybe a Pioneer branded one would be cheaper than a VW one...?
Posted by: genixia

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 31/03/2003 16:24

Well, that link you posted does specifically say, "New Beetle, integration with factory HU, no cutting of harness", so I'd guess it'd work as long as you're still using the factory HU.
I've been looking at this kind of thing to add to my Golf too. I'm happy enough with the stock speakers to not replace them all, but a sub would be nice. Shame I don't have the cash spare.

Does the NB still have the Premium VI single DIN head unit? If it does then the easiest way to integrate the empeg is to use an adapter from www.rcainput.com . The adapter mimics the CD changer as far as the HU is concerned. Works very well, although it could use better grounding.
Posted by: SE_Sport_Driver

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 31/03/2003 16:27

It does look pricey for a brand that I've never heard of.... I have an Infinity Basslink in my car and I like it. It's not hi-fi, but was easy to install and cheap.
Posted by: davec

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 02/04/2003 16:15

On a side note: Do you know of a cheap source for extra 6-cd cartridges?

Are you talking about the ones that have the tray that swings out about 270 degrees? I've got about 5 or 6 from my old Pioneer changer if you're interested. I'll try tofind them and post a pic if these sound correct. Lemme know!
Posted by: Heather

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 02/04/2003 19:55


Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? [re: bxgurl]
Reply to this postReply

Nice find. I'm reading up on this... see what I can find. My wife has a New Beetle Turbo Sport but it has the Monsoon package... I'm not sure if this works with Monsoon(?).

On a side note: Do you know of a cheap source for extra 6-cd cartridges? I think Pioneer makes them, so maybe a Pioneer branded one would be cheaper than a VW one...?

Mine will too have the monsoon. I'm still pissed about the crappy US color chart. I really would rather have either the speed blue or the red. I'm getting the beige. It's free, so I won't bitch too much. My father will probably drive it more than I will. The worst part is the no magazine CD changer in the armrest. If the bose in dash cd changers are any indicator, these won't accept CD's you burn yourself.

As for a cheaper alternative, since it IS NOT the kind with the little thingies that come out, I have not seen a replacement magazine from any source for less than the $28 VW one. But then again, I didn't look too hard.
Posted by: Heather

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 02/04/2003 19:58

Well, that link you posted does specifically say, "New Beetle, integration with factory HU, no cutting of harness", so I'd guess it'd work as long as you're still using the factory HU.
I've been looking at this kind of thing to add to my Golf too. I'm happy enough with the stock speakers to not replace them all, but a sub would be nice. Shame I don't have the cash spare.

I was knid of hoping to swap two wires on the wiring harness and plug it in, then handle the RCA to line level thing with an adapter and some creative soldering. Don't care about the sub. Trying to find a quick and dirty way to do it (no room for a double DIN setup, and since the car won't even be registered in my name, I'm not drilling/wiring anything).
Posted by: genixia

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 02/04/2003 21:16

Oh, if you're replacing the stock HU totally.

Should be fairly simple if it's still Premium VI in the NB. Swap Constant 12V and Switched 12V in the dock's connector. Double check that the K-wire (might be CAN bus now??) doesn't go anywhere. (Shouldn't anyway, but best to double check that). The hook up a couple of line level converters to take the empegs outputs and feed the monsoon.

The biggest unknown here is whether anything on the back of the HU is different to MY2000 golfs/jettas. MY2001 golf/jettas have moved to double din systems, (and CAN instead of K-wires in 2002 IIRC), but the NB has always been a bit of an oddity. I couldn't see VW re-engineering the single DIN unit just for the NB though.
Posted by: andym

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/04/2003 04:58

Was rooting around on the site that you linked.... Could somebody tell me why you'd want to do this to your car?



I can't see stonechipping being that good an excuse. I think your car would look worse with one of those on than having a few stone chips on your bumper.
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/04/2003 07:57

I have always wondered that myself.
Posted by: robricc

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/04/2003 09:39

One guy that used to work here had a bra on his car because there were a lot of gnats where he lived. I guess dead bug guts is not good for your paint job.
Posted by: xanatos

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/04/2003 10:00

Yeah I dislike the way Bra's look on cars.

However, if you wanna protect the paint, get a local tinting place to put on a 3M Clear Bra. I have one. Works damn great! Prevents bug guts, chips, etc etc. Usually about 150 to 200$ for a good one. About the price of a good bra
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/04/2003 10:59

Who cares how good your paint job is if you can't see it? For all I know, it's pure rust underneath that bra.
Posted by: andym

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/04/2003 11:01

In reply to:

Who cares how good your paint job is if you can't see it? For all I know, it's pure rust underneath that bra.



My sentiments exactly....
Posted by: Heather

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/04/2003 12:39

Was rooting around on the site that you linked.... Could somebody tell me why you'd want to do this to your car?

Because they lack good taste. I should go photograph some of the cars in service, or even better, some of the trade ins I see (as the customer wonders why I can't stop laughing at their teal civic DX with type R badge and yellow tinted windows). Some of it is just too funny for words.
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/04/2003 12:48

For all I know, it's pure rust underneath that bra.
Or worse: The paint color fades unevenly, fading more on the exposed areas than it does beneath the bra.

What that means to me is: The bra can never be removed because it would expose the uneven paint fading. So the bra has now become an integral and permenent part of the car.

At that point, what exactly are you supposed to be protecting with the bra? A section of paint and bumper that, although showroom-new, can never be seen, even if you decide to resell the car.

So then what's the point?
Posted by: SE_Sport_Driver

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/04/2003 12:53

And a rear mounted wing that doubles as a park bench!
Posted by: Yang

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/04/2003 14:05

I think what's even more bothersome, is that dirt/etc trapped under the bra tends to rub against the paint and cause more dammage than is prevented. A car bra is probably only useful for covering up dammage that already has occured.
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/04/2003 14:15

I guess what it comes down to is that some people think it looks cool.

I'd humbly posit that those people are wrong.
Posted by: genixia

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/04/2003 15:04

I'd humbly posit that those people are wrong.
I wouldn't be so humble!
They are wrong.
Posted by: genixia

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/04/2003 15:04

...and that's coming from a geek who owns a blue wig
Posted by: robricc

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/04/2003 20:46

I'd humbly posit that those people are wrong.
I agree. The one on that beetle is especially stupid.
Posted by: Satan_X

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 05/04/2003 12:34

After installing an empeg into my car (with the monsoon system) I can only advise one thing. Buy an amp and bypass the monsoon. I ended up having it done professionally. You can keep the original speakers but there is next to NO low end. Visit newbeetle.org, many conversations about this.
You can keep all the wirings 'uncut' so you can go back to stock afterwords, but really consider buying a sub (which I really need to do)...

The 'Micro-Audio' amp is a dead end road.....
Posted by: ineedcolor

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/10/2004 15:51

I used to use a bra on my Laser until I found that it got tight under the sun and loose in the cold...all the road grit trapped underneath working away at my paint like sand paper during the cycles. ..never again!
Posted by: webroach

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 03/10/2004 19:42

Quote:
And a rear mounted wing that doubles as a park bench!


We call that "The Schick" here.
Posted by: Shonky

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 04/10/2004 04:04

Quote:
Quote:
And a rear mounted wing that doubles as a park bench!


We call that "The Schick" here.

I tend to call them "towel racks" or just "handles" (used when pushing the thing to the mechanics.
Posted by: SonicSnoop

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 04/10/2004 10:36

Yuck! That is not a real Beetle! Its Watercooled!
This is a Beetle
Posted by: Waterman981

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 06/10/2004 01:10

I had a bra on an Eclipse (same gen as the Laser), but mine was on to cover up a accident that I couldn't afford to fix. When I did get it fixed the entire front end was repainted, and the bra went... I think its still sitting in my garage...
Posted by: Jerz

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 27/10/2004 10:07

Quote:
And a rear mounted wing that doubles as a park bench!


or ironing board...
Posted by: tman

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 28/10/2004 14:10

Is that supposed to be a spoiler or are they just really into extreme ironing?
Posted by: mtempsch

Re: Anyone know anything about this thing? - 28/10/2004 17:26

Must be speed ironing - all the yellow details must make it all very fast...