MetraElectronics 40-VW53 Aftermarket Radio to Factory Antenna Adapter for Volkswagen and Audi

I used this on my aftermarket stereo install on my 2000 Jetta TDI. These have powered antennas and need such an adapter. Let me first say this adapter works just as it should and I did not notice any difference in radio reception from my stock set up. So it works just as it should. However you may notice there is a slightly newer version for sale but is twice as much. From what I am told the newer version is smaller. You can't tell it from the picture but this adapter has probably a six to eight inch metal tube on it as part of the adapter which is very difficult to fit behind my stereo. In fact it slight pushed out on my radio which is annoying. I do not know how much smaller the other one is, but given the option I would probably go with the smaller more expensive model to save on space. This thing is big and awkward! I fyou have an Audi with plenty of space back there, this may work just fine.

Installed the new stereo in the car, but the antenna adapter I had did not have a power (blue) wire. That resulted in no AM radio and some scratchy FM signal. Ordered this one, spliced the blue wire from the stereo to the blue wire on the antenna and perfect AM/FM signal and sound. As far as the adapter being bulky and not fitting well, that is not an issue if you do as the other reviews say. Follow the existing antenna with your hand, you should notice a void. The silver bulky piece of the adapter fits nicely into the void along side the existing antenna wire. All that said, this is a must for after market stereos to get great FM AND AM reception.

With aftermarket parts like this a part usually just works or it doesn't. Fortunately, this product does. It was the perfect part for my 2003 VW New Beetle. No instructions were really necessary. Just pop this little gizmo between the radio and the antenna, plus run the blue wire to +12VDC and you are in business. Zero trouble. The product just plain works and does exactly what it's supposed to do.

While Metra and other car audio outfits provide free or recommend the 40-VW54 adapter for OEM HU replacement. I initially installed the 40-VW54 in my 2001 Passat with both a Kenwood and Alpine HUs and had a lot of background noise (on AM) and station crosstalk on FM. I replaced this the 40-VW54 with the 40-VW53 and presto, all the problems went away. I can now pick up Seattle AM stations from over 80 miles away - just like the the original OEM Monsoon HU. Highly recommended for the VW Passat model years in the product caption.

did not work for me

Used in my 2004 Audi A4, only took a minute to install and works great. The only possible issue is the size of the adapter, you might need to get creative to fit your system back in-- but it shouldn't be a huge issue.

Some stations are a little fuzzy that I would normally be able to pick up. Not sure if this is causing the problem or not. But overall pleased :)

It worked perfectly. Easy to install.

Working and fit well