I've had a US model 2007 GTI, here in Germany, for a couple of months now, and absolutely love it, except for the radio. The "Premium Sound System" for this model is made for use in the US. So - XM satellite isn't available, and AM radio (yes - a few of us still listen to AM radio) can't be properly tuned. Since channels are spaced in the US at 10khz apart, and in Europe at 9khz that means that there are times when a particular channel that you want just can't be tuned in. In Germany the US forces broadcast at 873, 1107, and 1143 khz. The closest I can tune them is 870, 1110, and 1140, respectively. AM radio sounds bad enough when it's tuned in, but unlistenable when it's not. When I asked VW about this (usually there's a switch on the radio itself) they essentially told me to buy a new radio. To me this is just plain short-sightedness. FM radio's ok, and the cd/mp3 changer works fine. I didn't get the ipod adapter for it, because I didn't see myself buying an ipod in the future (got one now, though).
I checked with Crutchfield about getting a replacement radio, but I'd lose the in-dash cd changer. Is there still a harness for a changer in the back of the MKV? They do have a JVC that supposedly has "european tuning," but I can't find out if that's only FM, or if that includes AM tuning as well. I'm making a big deal over the use of AM radio, but it just seems stupid that I can't access it. If we had the old analog-turn-the-knob-to-tune-in-the-channel type radio then it wouldn't be an issue.
Suggestions?
I checked with Crutchfield about getting a replacement radio, but I'd lose the in-dash cd changer. Is there still a harness for a changer in the back of the MKV? They do have a JVC that supposedly has "european tuning," but I can't find out if that's only FM, or if that includes AM tuning as well. I'm making a big deal over the use of AM radio, but it just seems stupid that I can't access it. If we had the old analog-turn-the-knob-to-tune-in-the-channel type radio then it wouldn't be an issue.
Suggestions?