Thinking of buying a cd changer? read this 1st.

[Michael37]

If you do not own a Volvo that was purchased with a factory cd changer, but are considering getting one, here is a tip for you. I had a factory am/fm cassette player (in a '93 850). I wanted the cd changer that went with it. I went to Volvo and asked the price. He told me $900 (canadian dollars). I asked if he was nuts. He said he would let me have it for $700. I told him he was still nuts. Then I told him I was sure Volvo did not make it's own radios, and asked who manufactured them. He told me Alpine. I thanked him for info and went to an Alpine dealer and asked about a changer that would work with my factory radio. Alpine has them. All that is required is an adapter the goes between the Alpine changer cable and the Volvo radio cable. Cost for adapter is $40 or so. You can get an Alpine changer for about half of what Volvo will charge you. It sounded good to me, so I ordered and new changer from Alpine.
Does it work? Well, the dealer said he has installed them in Volvos before and they work great. I can't swear to it myself because while I was there a new Alpine radio that plays mp3s caught my eye and I bought it. So it actually cost me a bit more than a Volvo cd player, but I have a fine system. But if you do not want to go expensive...inquire about an Alpine changer before going for a Volvo changer...you will save close to 50%. You also have the option of removing it if you trade in for another vehicle other than Volvo. Why give your changer away for nothing???

[Thom]

I have a '93 850 and the radio gave out some time ago. coincidently, the antenna recently decided not to work. The dealer told me a rebuilt radio is $200. I was also thinking of getting a cd changer and ran into the same problem with cost. The radio is an sc-810. I thought blaupunkt made the radio and not alpine. If you had the same radio, please let me know and perhaps I'll go the same route you did. I haven't priced the antenna yet, but I plan on surfing for one, perhaps using some of the sites the volvo club uses. - Thom

[CottonCandy]

$900 for a CD changer? your dealer must be kidding. I bought mine (including mounting kit) 2 years ago at the dealer (waterloo, ON) for $350 tax included. Installing took approx 3 hours but the result is rewarding. Sweet audio. I need a CD to go with the 8 speakers.