Ok, to save driving the 30 miles round trip to my dealers and them probably just tell me I need a new stereo anyway... I have decided to buy a new stereo for the car.

What are the best options out there for me?

It must have:
A clock
A decent Radio
Work with the dash mounted controls (at least the volume)

Would be nice if:
It work with the OEM CD changer

Anything extra would be a bonus.

 

LIDL have one of these for 70 notes - http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c....h_Bluetooth.ar2

Very feature rich & no need to retain the CD Changer.

Not sure what one would do about the controls - perhaps a Modifry adapter would work.

I was very happy with my Alpine replacement head unit. Unfortunately this also requires an adapter to retain the controls.

If you're replacing the head-unit and you're using your original speakers, I'd strongly recommend changing them.

 

the way I understand that post is that your stock unit has gone pop and you want to get at least that level back.

You have two options really:

1) Buy a stock CD player, and simply swap them over (I have one I could let you have cheaply enough if you're interested).

2) Buy an aftermarket headunit (Alpine are the most popular because you can buy an adaptor to retain the dash controls - however some use other types)

I personally have just upgraded to an Alpine 9855r second hand on ebay, and it all went together with a wiring loom reasonably easily - the component speaker upgrade is next, and in the meantime I've put my Directed Amp in the boot with an Elemental Designs 8" sub (mental for the size) in the boot - however it sounds rubbish at the moment because the fronts are stock!

Hope that helps

 

Stock is an option, but would prefer to have a clock in the car somewhere.

How much do you want for your stock stereo?

 

If I go the aftermarket route, which is a decent compatible unit and what do I need to make it work properly with the volume controls etc..

 

Have a look at the specials on car audio direct or low cost car audio, you can get a half decent branded (Blaupunkt, Pioneer) for about the same as the Lidl offering (and who are Silvercrest anyway lol?)

ETA:

This has a clock... http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/blaupunkt-...d27-p-5756.html ...and plays music from SD cards...