I've got an 03 Bose unit and the CD's now stop playing half way through, then skip to the next disc, where it issue is repeated.

Given that 03-04 units are getting harder to come by and they are all getting older/more use, I was wondering if a Bose unit out of a newer model could work (I'm not worried about losing the cassette player

 

No, they are different and won't match your 03 face plate.

 

My understanding is that there are three pieces to the factory radio;
1 - the dash/face plate
2 - the actual controls
3 - the unit/player itself.

I guess I was wondering if you could use the newer unit with the old face plate and controls.