Backstory
There is a CD stuck in my OEM Bose 6 disc and it is causing the infamous CD ERR F0. I have tried disconnecting the negative battery terminal for over 10 hours and that did not affect it, nor did it reset my presets like everyone said it would.

Considering I cannot see the CD through the slot it appears that the only option left is for me to pull out center console and open up the player. I read somewhere that a person attempted this before but found the box containing the CDs to somehow be impenetrable, with no screws on it. I am hoping they are wrong.

Questions
Anyways, if that guy was right and my only option is to replace the player I am going with an aftermarket one. My question is, is there a way to maintain the steering wheel controls with an aftermarket player? It would seem to me that the steering wheel controls are pretty standard and that some players would support them.

If that guy was wrong and I do fix my stock player I would like to add a line-in so I can avoid CDs in the future. How do you recommend I do this?

 

Mine did that about 3 weeks ago as well. I also disconnected the battery + reconnected to no avail. Speaking with a Tech, he mentioned that the speakers are calibrated to the existing Bose system and changing the unit will also mean changing the speakers. This is hearsay, so you best check it out on your own. I would think a good sound shop should be able to figure all that out. Since my radio works great, I'm just hoping for the CD motor griding noise to stop.
Keep us updated, as the Bose CD is a lemon.

 

You can certainly install an aftermarket system with the existing speakers, but there are a few interesting hurdles you will encounter along the way. If you are interested in doing this to your car you should look at the double-din guides for your model.

Back to my problem, I have seen some such as this guy use the stock control with a custom CD player. How is this possible? That looks like an ideal solution to my issues.