Factory doesn't mean better

More expensive and, as a rule, worse in quality, but more reliable and more comfortable. This is the shortest characteristic of regular audio systems.

More expensive and, as a rule, worse in quality, but more reliable and more convenient - this is the shortest description of factory car audio kits. If our requirements for sound quality are somewhat higher, it is worth looking for a non-factory radio.

Standard radios with a CD player are gradually becoming standard, at least in the compact class. The radio integrated into the dashboard has its undeniable advantages. Firstly, stealing them is more difficult, and if possible, it simply does not pay off.

Is it worth choosing such equipment? When a manufacturer offers a factory radio at the price of a car, there is no dilemma - provided that we do not have above-average requirements for sound quality. One way or another, some cars cannot be bought without a radio, so we either accept what the manufacturer offers, or are forced to make a decision to buy another car.

The problem arises if we choose a car in which the head unit is offered as an additional paid equipment. Car audio specialists have no doubts - given the price-quality ratio, we simply overpay when buying a factory kit. On the open market, you can buy good radios with a CD player for only PLN 500-600. Factory equipment with comparable parameters costs at least 1000 or even 1500 PLN.

Where is more expensive, where is cheaper

The Ford Focusach does not come with a radio as standard in the base version. The cost of the car includes only installation, and for the cheapest Ford CD radio we will pay PLN 1500. There is no standard radio for the VW Golf audio system in the Trendline and Comfortline versions, and the cheapest player with four speakers costs PLN 2200. To this is added the cost of the radio installation - PLN 580.

Buyers of the blockbuster Skoda Fabia, who have chosen the cheapest junior or classic version, cannot count on a factory radio. As standard, they will only get a setup that includes an antenna, cables, and four speakers up front. The cheapest radio costs "only" PLN 690 at the dealer, but it will not be used to play CDs. You have to pay as much as PLN 1750 for a Fabia CD radio.

In the case of the Fiat Panda, it's a bit cheaper. A radio with a CD player built into the dashboard costs PLN 1200. However, you also need to add the cost of the radio installation - PLN 400.

Toyota buyers are in the best position - CD radio comes standard even on the base version of the new Yaris. You can buy a CD changer for PLN 1800.

It might be cheaper

If you are buying a car in a version that does not have an audio kit as standard, it is worth checking out the offer of independent car audio services. Even if we spend the same amount on them as the dealer, for this amount we will get equipment of much better quality.

Comparable to the factory kit for Fiat Panda in an independent service, we will buy for PLN 1000, including the cost of assembly, antenna, speakers and cables. For PLN 1500 you can get a high quality CD radio that also plays MP3 files and high quality speakers (both front and rear).

Focus or Renault Clio buyers are in an even better position. Even versions of these cars without a factory radio have a complete setup with speakers and an antenna. In this way, there are no assembly costs and we can buy a good radio receiver much cheaper, for example, in a hypermarket, and install it, or, in fact, put it in our pocket, ourselves.

 

What about the warranty?

However, a potential buyer of a new car may have a question: what about the warranty if you buy and install an audio system not in a car dealership?

According to Daniel Tomal from Autostajnia in Poznań, in accordance with the GVO directive, as long as a given car audio system is authorized by recognized companies such as Pionier, Panasonic or Alpine, it can be equipped with this brand's radio or speakers without fear of losing the car's warranty. In addition, reputable websites buy special insurance. If the car's electrical system is damaged, we can count on a free repair.

Some dealers include information in their warranty terms that any intervention on the electrical installation outside of service will void the electrical warranty. However, EU regulations are on the driver's side. As in the case of periodic checks - under certain conditions of the manufacturer, an independent service can successfully replace ASO.F 4 (Photo: Ryszard Polit) - Factory audio kit for Renault Clio.

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