I have just purchased my first Volvo, 1998 S70 with 42,500 miles. The audio system came with a single load CD player. The controls indicate that the system can handle an upgrade to a CD changer. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience doing this upgrade and if it is something I can do myself with an after market changer or only with a Volvo CD changer. Thanks in advance for the help and I am thrilled to join the "Brick Brotherhood"!

when i bought my '98 volvo a couple of years ago, I was still able to get the Aiwa 6-cd changer (this is the compatible unit for your stereo) right from the dealer for a reasonable price. I've also seen them many many times on Ebay for sale.

You meant "Alpine," right, not "Aiwa?" Alpine is the manufacturer that has traditionally been associated with these upgrades, not Aiwa.



--
Jim Rothe, '99 S70 T5M,
http://www.jimrothe.com/volvo/index.html

oops.
c'mon, it WAS 2 1/2 years ago. Alpine... Aiwa .... same thing.
;)

No criticism intended -- just trying to prevent a rumor from starting.

--
Jim Rothe, '99 S70 T5M,
http://www.jimrothe.com/volvo/index.html

i know.
i was not the least bit offended.
my memory tends to... ummmm... uhhh... what was I saying?

Thanks for the quick response. I'll check at the dealer this week to see what is available.

the factory controls are for a factory volvo (or oem equivalent) changer. There maybe an adapter out there (blitzsafe is a major brand http://www.blitzsafe.com/) that will adapt an aftermarket brand changer to the factory deck. otherwise your option is an RF CD changer that plays through a preset radio station. as far as you doin it yourself, that all depends on how you feel about pulling panels and running wire in your car. granted the panels in that car come off with little effort (i own a 98 s70 t5 and have installed stereo's for best buy for the better part of 2 years, so it's natural to me) you may want to just save yourself some hassle and have a shop install it and get a warranty on the install. just my 2 cents. good luck!

Thanks for the info! I'll advise on my progress.

I went to www.crutchfield.com and got a Kenwood unit with the Volvo OEM interface adapter, works great and fits in the glove box...

Thank you very much for the information.

what model did you get? does it play mp3s? i just checked on my car and crutchfield only gave me 2 options - the Alpine and USA brand (????).

thanks.

My mistake, It's the Alpine CHM-S630 with the Peripheral VOLIL OEM adapter. It works prety well. but doesn't play MP3s