Aftermarket CD changers are far more reliable, are more functional and give overall better performance. The most important advantage being that they ultimately produce better sound. Aftermarket CD changers also play CD-R and CD/RW burned discs whereas dealer-supplied CD changers will, in most cases, play CD-R (however they don't guarantee this) but they will not play CD/RW discs.
More compatibility options...
Some aftermarket CD changers do NOT need an interface in order to work with factory-fitted radios and will connect directly to OE radios. These include Blaupunkt CDC-A03, Clarion DC628, Grundig MCD-46, Philips RC026, VDO CDC026, CVO Dayton CHA-602S, CHD-602S and the Visteon 2080. These are all high quality CD changers that basically serve two roles as you can also connect these to aftermarket radios as well as some OE radios.
Expensive car Dealer Prices
Aftermarket CD changers are better simply because you can pay between $500 to $800 to your car dealer for a CD changer that hasn't exactly been built using the most reliable and high performance-producing components. This is due mainly to the large profit margins that car dealers have to work with. Car audio shops can give you remarkable savings because they have lower overheads.
