Really quick question. I have searched for a while and can't quite find someone asking the same thing, or if they did, they didn't get the answer i am looking for.

I just bought a 2004 roadster with NAV and the BOSE system. I love music so the bose is great, BUT no aux port… Killing me right now. I bought one of those cheap tape deck aux cables but the sound quality is sooooo bad that i am going to go and return it.

So now i ask what are my options here? I was told that if i replace the stock HU i would lose the bose system abilities? is this true? If so, what are my other options.

Cheers!

 

Bose sucks.

Those tape adapters work best if you turn the volume down 1-2 clicks from max on your aux device.

My opinion is to gut the car and replace the entire stereo front to back.

 

Buy an aftermarket double din and enjoy having 2 screens. All you need is a PAC-ROEM-NIS2 harness module to wire up the headunit with the bose amp. Problem solved.

NOTE: You will lose the navigation sound for the most part, but there should be DIY or threads on how to wire that back in. I personally don't really care much for it as I already have a second nav due to the aftermarket double din.

 

^^ This is all true and is the simplest solution. If you care about sound though, it is probable that the new HU will pass too much power to the bose sub. The bose sub uses soooo little power that anything other than the bose amp could potentially make it sound like crap. A decent Sony or Kenwood HU without touch screen can be had under $200. With touch screen for just a bit more. Then add a new aftermarket sub for $500 (sub + amp). I added a JL 10" sealed box and it is sooooo much better than the stock bose sub. I also have to say that the bluetooth functionality of my new Sony HU both streaming audio, and the phone capabilities blow the stock box away.

I ultimately changed the all the speakers too since I wanted more power without distortion.

It really depends on your level of what's acceptable.

 

If you don't mind losing the Nav screen, then just replace the H/U and buy a Metra 70-7551 harness kit. This will continue to use the Bose amp for all of your speakers but still have the full functionality of the new H/U. I also has my front speakers replaced with some Hertz DSK165 which are very efficient, so the Bose map drives them just fine.
Right now Amazon has a great price on this Pioneer unit which supports Bluetooth, HD Radio, and App Radio if you have an IPhone 4S or higher. There are also Nav apps for the Iphone if you just gotta have that as well.


I also have an 04 Roadster, just no nav. You will notice a HUGE difference in sound quality by just replacing the stock H/U and front speakers.