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MP3 Player for use in 93 Model Volvo

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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ambishop
Posts: 12
Joined: 31 March 2012
Year and Model: 93 850
Location: Australia

MP3 Player for use in 93 Model Volvo

Post by ambishop »

I am trying to improve the radio in the Volvo 850 CLE to something, while keeping it as stock as possible.

Please let me know if anyone has tried this product as it says that it supports VOLVO SC Model radios with CD changer function.

This website mostly specializes in BMW parts but they seem to have a few Volvo parts as well

www.bimmernav.com/url/mp3/

turbozutek
Posts: 156
Joined: 14 April 2011
Year and Model: 1995 850 GLE
Location: Glasgow

Post by turbozutek »


fazool
Posts: 746
Joined: 6 February 2010
Year and Model: S60, 2007
Location: buffalo, NY
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Post by fazool »

If you are handy, there are a couple threads describing a way to solder an ipod/mp3 aux input jack right into your stereo head unit. It is essentially free (well, OK $1 for the cost of solder since you probably have an old headphone around to donate).

You will not get the nice radio controls for your songs but if you have an ipod or mp3 player you can use it and the sound quality is really good. Heck, if you dont have an ipod you can play the songs on your phone and use its headphone jack.

I've done this myself (adapting the procedure to a different model) with very good results.

2007 S60 2.5T AWD (Daily Driver)
2001 S60 2.4T (Daughter's Car)
2003 S80 2.9 (Son's Car)
1995 850 2.4 (Daughter's Car - sold off)
2005 S40 2.4i (Bought new - since sold)
1986 740GLE 2.3(First Volvo - sold off)

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BEJinFbk
Posts: 4067
Joined: 5 January 2008
Year and Model: '98 V70 R
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
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Post by BEJinFbk »

'98 V70 R - Well Equipped for Life Up North... ;)

rmmagow
Posts: 2023
Joined: 11 March 2006
Year and Model: V70 1998
Location: Rhode Island USA
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Post by rmmagow »

Anybody have real world experience with the gromaudio thing used with an SC-816 headunit on a 98 V70? That looks like pretty much what I wanted to do for my car. I put a Kenwood head in one of my other cars so I could play music from the USB stick and it works well. This appears to give similar function to the regular Volvo head unit.
1998 V70 AWD 228K - Daily Driver
1985 Mercedes Benz 300D - 197K Off Road For Now Brakes Failed
1998 S70 135K - FOR SALE
2003 GMC Sonoma - 114K - POS
1958 Mercedes Benz 220S 66K Original and never to be restored.
2006 Saturn ION 5-Speed - 150K Son's weird little easy to fix car

fazool
Posts: 746
Joined: 6 February 2010
Year and Model: S60, 2007
Location: buffalo, NY
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Post by fazool »

I've been on the Volvo forums for a long time. The one name that seems to come up over and over is USASpec.

These units, as I understand them, act as a MelBUS device and connect to the 8-pin DIN MelBUS port and act like a CD changer. Using the CD remote controls, the head unit can control music selection etc.

I would look for various features such as FF, REW, track select, sending list info back to the LCD display, etc.


Sorry, I know you are looking for specific real world experience with them.

2007 S60 2.5T AWD (Daily Driver)
2001 S60 2.4T (Daughter's Car)
2003 S80 2.9 (Son's Car)
1995 850 2.4 (Daughter's Car - sold off)
2005 S40 2.4i (Bought new - since sold)
1986 740GLE 2.3(First Volvo - sold off)

D_V_ENT850R
Posts: 208
Joined: 3 August 2011
Year and Model: 850R 1996
Location: SWFL

Post by D_V_ENT850R »

I've got one of these sitting around at my house never installed new, I opened and tried it all out everything works it was $450 new. Let me know if your interested.
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ambishop
Posts: 12
Joined: 31 March 2012
Year and Model: 93 850
Location: Australia

Post by ambishop »

What really attracted my to this one was the ability to use USB or SD card memory. I will purchase one and report back. The other link was the generic version, below is the link to the Volvo Specific Version. The price seems very fair for full control of your MP3s. Headphone jacks are fine options but I want the full control as I have many MP3s and it is easier to have your play lists etc.

www.bimmernav.com/url/volvomp3/

ambishop
Posts: 12
Joined: 31 March 2012
Year and Model: 93 850
Location: Australia

Post by ambishop »

I have been using my MP3 player for a few weeks now. This is the only unit that I found that has both SC Card slot and Aux audio input. I am very happy with how well this thing works and would recommend it to anyone. It is VERY easy to install. Just plug in the CD port and then connect one power wire. Super easy and works just like a CD changer would with 6 play lists.

Highly recommended

precopster
Posts: 7543
Joined: 21 August 2010
Year and Model: Lots
Location: Melbourne Australia
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Post by precopster »

This item has really attracted my interest. Clean no frills install using factory wiring, and the unit thinks it's a factory CD player!! I'm sold all I have to do is save for it!!
Current cars VW Transporter 2.5TDI, 2010 XC90 D5 R Design

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