2011 Murano Audio System - PLEASE HELP!

[roberthirsch]

This may sound trivial, but I really need the help of this Forum. We recently purchased a new 2011 Murano SV. In discussing the car with the salesman, we specifically asked if the SV had a 6 CD changer. He did not know, left to ask someone, and came back and told us that it did not have a 6-CD changer, but had a hard drive. We made it very clear to the salesman that having either the changer or the hard drive was a deal breaker for us. My wife lives in her car and listens to nothing but books on CD. Changing a CD after every disk is not only a pain, but a safety issue. Literally, we would not have bought the car.

When picking up the car, the technician was taking my wife through all the buzzers and whistles. When asked how the hard drive works, he told her that there was none. The car only has a single CD player. Thus our dilemna.

Our Nissan dealer has supposedly investigated the issue. They claim there is absolutely no aftermarket CD changer available for the 2011 Mirano. Further, they claim that there is no way to take the 6 CD changer out of an S model, and insert it into the SV model (which really makes no sense to me since the consoles are identical). They said the wiring was entirely different and it could not be done.

They are telling us the ONLY alternative is to put a CD changer somewhere in the car (like the arm-rest, under the seat or in the rear of the car). This is really unacceptable. My wife uses every square inch of her storage space (especially the arm rest) and would not be able to change CDs while driving if the changer were under the seat or elsewhere.

PLEASE HELP!!! Is what the dealership is telling us accurate? Does anyone have any suggestions?

Rob

[BillArf]

Rob ... A real shame this happened to you. The Sales person and you really dropped the ball on this. Can tell you in the 2011 Nissan Murano sales booklet it clearly indicates that the SV has the basic AM/FM/CD audio system. It has 6 speakers, XM Radio and capability of playing MP3's/IPOD. Can tell you my '11 Murano LE has it ALL to include hard drive. Even though I have ALL/ the hard drive and ability to store many, many CD's, I use CD hard drive storage very little. I either use the XM or play MP3's or bluetooth stream Slacker or Pandora. To me CD's are not where my $ goes these days. Bulky, pricey, get damaged easily, hard to store, etc.. I prefer to buy/get free from others the individual songs or album's, audio books in the MP3 format. If you buy an Mp3 song from Amazon.com it is usually $.69 $.99 or $1.29. I load up a USB stick or IPOD with Mp3's and plug into the USB port in the Murano and have all my music with no messing with/playing single CD's/storing/playing clumsy CD's... SO, try the Mp3 route for your wife's music needs. Can tell you most young people these days and even this old guy are playing Mp3's versus CD's. I buy or borrow only the songs I like in Mp3 format. I know she probably has a slew of favorite CD's in her collection but she will have to play them individually in that Murano SV's basic CD player. Does she have an Ipod or USB stick? Try this route and she probably say it is preferred compared to the old CD route. Of course this does not help her in regard to the CD book playing. With a book you insert in CD and could leave it there til she finishes it. Though the CD is tied up with the book she would get her music from Mp3's as I mentioned. Oh, do know audio books do come in the Mp3 format these days.

By the way, yes you can add an aftermarket head/changer to that SV but it will cost you quite a bit. Talk to a local, well recommended car audio place for ideas and pricing. Again, the stock head can be changed on your Murano.

[roberthirsch]

Thanks Bill. Unfortunately my wife does not listem to music - only Books on CD in the car. I am not a car techie and will take your advise about going to a car audio place. What is the "stock head"?

[BillArf]

Thanks Bill. Unfortunately my wife does not listem to music - only Books on CD in the car. I am not a car techie and will take your advise about going to a car audio place. What is the "stock head"?

The thing you are pushing the CD into on your SV. I encourage you to get a book in the Mp3 format and let her try that. You may make her an Mp3 versus CD user. A new head installed in that car will cost you well over $500.00.

[Timmbo]

I would totally suggest going with the MP3 format. There is also the somewhat less desirable option of purchasing a new Murano. I know it sounds crazy, but this is obviously a deal breaker, and now would be the time to go that route before you have too many miles on your current Murano. Certainly you would have to give on your end (as much as that may not seem right, that is the case), but more importantly get the dealer to get on board with this, because they can certainly sell you a new car literally at their cost to satisfy you. Just an idea! Good luck!