Stereo Question
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 267
Stereo Question
I know this has been discussed before but I still haven’t found a good solution….
I have a 2002 coupe with the original Bose stereo. It has the CD option but no multi disc changer. I’m looking for an option that allows me to play my iPhone music, - either via Bluetooth or a wire connection. I’ve tried the FM adaptor that goes in the cig lighter socket but was not impressed with that approach. And I don’t want to swap for a new head unit.
If you know of a solution that is easy to use & provides excellent sound quality, please lmk.
I have a 2002 coupe with the original Bose stereo. It has the CD option but no multi disc changer. I’m looking for an option that allows me to play my iPhone music, - either via Bluetooth or a wire connection. I’ve tried the FM adaptor that goes in the cig lighter socket but was not impressed with that approach. And I don’t want to swap for a new head unit.
If you know of a solution that is easy to use & provides excellent sound quality, please lmk.
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Moved to Audio/Electronics section for some help.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 120
Likes: 61
My 2003 came with some kind of adapter and wire plugged into the 12 disc cd connector. It worked for a second when I first tried but then got a message about something something incompatibility. I figured this was an iPhone thing since they never play well with others. Been thinking about trying a generic mp3 player to see if it would work.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 123
Likes: 66
From: Sylvania, OH
I have a 2004 C5. I know of 2 options and both install behind the radio and sound great. The first, which I own and use every day is iSimple BlueConnect ISFM2381 (isimple.com). As I said I use it daily and it works great. Their website says it is sold out but you can find them on ebay. The second is from Discount Car Stereo, model BT3-C5 (discountcarstereo.com). I have not used this one and it is also out of stock. They had a software glitch that was a major problem. I don't know if they fixed that yet. Both of these are about $160.
Just checked ebay and the iSimple one is going for $180 to $250.
Just checked ebay and the iSimple one is going for $180 to $250.
Last edited by jcj63; May 21, 2026 at 09:59 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 926
Likes: 452
From: New Brunswick, Canada
I have a 2004 C5. I know of 2 options and both install behind the radio and sound great. The first, which I own and use every day is iSimple BlueConnect ISFM2381 (isimple.com). As I said I use it daily and it works great. Their website says it is sold out but you can find them on ebay. The second is from Discount Car Stereo, model BT3-C5 (discountcarstereo.com). I have not used this one and it is also out of stock. They had a software glitch that was a major problem. I don't know if they fixed that yet. Both of these are about $160.
Just checked ebay and the iSimple one is going for $180 to $250.
Just checked ebay and the iSimple one is going for $180 to $250.
The Discount Car Stereo BT3-C5 seems to connect to the expansion port of the radio (where the CD changer typically is connected). This would probably be a better option, but it is showing out of stock. And if as you say they had glitchy software, I'd probably stay away from any ebay units you might find.
The only other options I know of would be to go to an aftermarket radio with bluetooth. There are several options available, such as a single DIN unit (fits where the existing radio is located), multiple Double DIN options (Require dash modifications to install), and then there is the MaxDin unit that possibly replaced the entire dash console and HVAC controls with a Tesla-like touch screen (This one to me looks out of place in a C5 but some may like it).
Where none of these options meet the OPs original request, they may be out of luck finding a solution.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 123
Likes: 66
From: Sylvania, OH
I have been using the iSimple BlueConnect for 3 years with no interference issues. It does not transmit the signal. When in use, it blocks the antenna signal and sends what it receives via blue tooth from your phone or other blue tooth device to the radio through the antenna cable. It sits in the antenna cable between the antenna and the radio..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 926
Likes: 452
From: New Brunswick, Canada
I have been using the iSimple BlueConnect for 3 years with no interference issues. It does not transmit the signal. When in use, it blocks the antenna signal and sends what it receives via blue tooth from your phone or other blue tooth device to the radio through the antenna cable. It sits in the antenna cable between the antenna and the radio..
To listen to your music via Bluetooth, what do you have to do on your head unit? Do you tune to a particular FM frequency?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 123
Likes: 66
From: Sylvania, OH
Not trying to start an argument here, but just by the nature of this device plugging into the Antenna Input on the head unit and the Antenna plugging into this device, as you say between the antenna and the radio, it IS an FM transmitter. No matter if it is shutting down radio signal reception via the antenna when it turns on, a very strong local radio signal would still potentially interfere with this unit as reception of this strong signal could still occur within the radio itself.
To listen to your music via Bluetooth, what do you have to do on your head unit? Do you tune to a particular FM frequency?
To listen to your music via Bluetooth, what do you have to do on your head unit? Do you tune to a particular FM frequency?
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 30
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From: Western, CT
I have a 2004 C5. I know of 2 options and both install behind the radio and sound great. The first, which I own and use every day is iSimple BlueConnect ISFM2381 (isimple.com). As I said I use it daily and it works great. Their website says it is sold out but you can find them on ebay. The second is from Discount Car Stereo, model BT3-C5 (discountcarstereo.com). I have not used this one and it is also out of stock. They had a software glitch that was a major problem. I don't know if they fixed that yet. Both of these are about $160.
Just checked ebay and the iSimple one is going for $180 to $250.
Just checked ebay and the iSimple one is going for $180 to $250.
I ended up grabbing an aftermarket radio (Sony MEX-5300BT) and all necessary wiring from crutchfield, would definitely recommend crutchfield they gave me a very useful wiring guide for the car and support is all everyone claims to be. I am satisfied with the radio but it definitely doesn’t beat my songs burnt onto a CD type quality on the stock radio but still miles better than the Amazon BT transmitter so good enough for me.