I have a 2000 NB GLX, I am going to be putting a new stereo in, a
Alpine head unit with the XM interface and tuner. Is there room up in
the dash through the stereo hole to put the XM interface and tuner?
Also it looks like the panel over the center of the dash will come off,
does it, is it easy, looks like a nice place to put the XM antenna.

Jerry

I can't answer your question about space available, but you may have a
signal problem with the XM antenna not in the open. I have a sirius
receiver and I needed to put it out on the roof to get a consistant
signal. Have you seen the new Kenwood receivers? I was shopping
around for a new receiver a few months ago and came across the new
design. The illumination on the display matches the VW interior lights
very nicely.

Panel easily removed. Apply downward pressure while sliding toward front of
car ( L-hooks).

Great thanks. I found out about the space in the stereo compartment,
or should I say, lack of space, I bought a Alpine 9851, and it BARELY
fits, you have to be creative with the wiring to get it to slide in
until it clicks. I will put the XM stuff in later. Has anybody found a
good route for wiring headed back to the hatch area for amps and
woofers?

Jerry

"Daytona Power Sports" <daytonapowersports (AT) earthlink (DOT) net> wrote:

I will add my two cents (or more) here.

I initially was going to just add a CD changer and keep the Monsoon head unit.
So I had to run a wire from behind the stereo (for FM modulator) and the
remote control unit. The easiest that I found was to run it under the center
console to the back seat. There is a small section of wire running on the
hump between the console and the back seat. Once under the back seat I went
to the drivers side in up into the trunk. I used a simple 12 volt cigarette
adapter to get power in the trunk and plugged it into the lighter outlet
there.

Well the sound was not as good as hoped. I had seen people replacing their
head units so I did that. I used a Pioneer since that was the changer model
too and compatibility is nice. There is definitely NOT MUCH room behind the
head unit. I don't know where to put something like XMDirect. Perhaps on the
firewall? At least with the XMDirect there are two separate pieces of a
smallish size. I have it in my F250.

As far as antenna, I followed some other suggestions on my truck but the same
could probably be done on the beetle. The signal will pass fine through
plastic but not some coated windshields. I mounted my antenna under the
plastic windshield wiper cowling between the windshield and the hood. Works
great! That would be the ONLY option for me with my wife's convertible
Beetle.

Hope this helps a bit.

Roger
larock (at) mail (dot) com