Focus SVT OEM Radio, HELP!

[a4anthony]

I recently purchased an '03 SVT Focus and love it. Since the car is still under factory warranty, I decided to get a few items taken care of. My sound system sounds pretty crappy and since I had read many positive reviews on the audiophile system in the SVT, I decided something must be wrong. I noticed my subwoffer in the back wasn't working either. After much back and forth with several wrong diagnosis, my dealer told me that the system would never work properly because I don't have the right radio and they couldn't help me---at least not under warranty. The radio in my car is a 6 disc Audiophile that looks identical to the radio I've seen in the SVT sales brochure. Yes, the dealer replies but it is not the CORRECT Audiophile 6 disc changer for the car. They want to charge me $800 to purchase the 'right' radio. I do not want an aftermarket radio but I don't have the $800 smackers either. What gives?? Any help much appreciated.

[rivguy]

the audiphile has been a nightmare for us working at ford dealers - the system is crap and always breaks down - usualy an a-hole salesman wants one swapped from another unit when they break to save the long order time from ford - thus the wrong one is not a supprise - however the dealer can't just put the proper one in cause ford requires the bad radio be sent in and could bounce the clain thus the dealer would loose the 800 and that isn't going to happen. when my customers come in I always rec. aftermarket systems due to cost and poor reliability of your junk system

[vintweed]

had our audiophike replaced 4 times under warranty...guess what! warranty runs out, and the piece of s**t breaks again...sucks just having the radio. do yourself a hug favour and go aftermarket...

[vintweed]

Mine is toast again as well...took it apart to see what was wrong (I want to keep it because I spent $30 and a few hours replacing all the LED's inside it to blue LED's), and it seems like the ribbon wire (flat film with a dozen or so 'circuits' running thru it) is chewed up!! Most likely from the lens/head retracting back and forth when loading CD's, and rubbing against it...
It MIGHT be possible to resolder thin gauge wires in place of the ribbon, but it certainly won't be easy!
Might be worth the effort though, considering the cost (especially with a lasped warranty!)