i am after a better head unit but it must fit the original cd changer ipod would be good and DAB even better.... any takers or do i have to replace both units

No current units can use the old clarion changer.
There is an adapter that works with clarion but cost nearly 100 quid. Besides the clarion stuff is utter rubbish.
Just get a decent unit with USB input then store all you music on that.

i know nothing about car stereo's ...... Hi-Fi/surround sound that a different matter i just want to up-grade the system as even i know a 12-13 year old system will not be up to scratch so here i am asking.... big thing it must have a remote as its so easy to use without taking your eyes off the screen

Buy an Alpine and be done with it. I'm with Bockers, don't bother with a CD changer,get 16GB memory stick and put your music on that.

I don't have a remote control, but I can find the skip button and volume control without taking my eyes off the road. I think you may have to pay a fair bit more to get one with a remote.

as i drive in traffic the remote is a must i know Alpine is a good make of in car entertainment so i am up for them but i am not made of money

What's your budget?

Take a look here as they've got some good kit & reasonably priced;

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/head-units-players-inc-ipod-control/

I'm a 90's era Alpine fan but went with a Pioneer DEH-80PRS this time for a SQ set up as the last Alpine IDA-x100 was pretty pants ( I'll be fitting this Pioneer & Focal/DLS kit to the coupe when I eventually get one!!)

Plenty of decent USB units around now for sub £150....really makes CD changers a bit of the past but I'd 100% recommend getting a CD player Headunit and not USB only like that Alpine I mentioned above. Was a right pita with no cd mechanism plus the USB was a little slow at times, so I bought a 6 disc MP3 boot changer for my CD's. Sound Quality (SQ) was also miles better on CD vs my compressed USB music. (But you can get around that)

That Pioneer is a fantastic unit though, bit tricky to navigate and might be a little too indepth for a basic system as its got loads of Audiophile features/components, but for a fully active SQ set up...its awesome value.

Clarions another good brand, might not be the prettiest head units but they're sound quality on the more expensive units is very good.

You can get a good alpine for under £100

I have Sony unit with a remote that is attached to the steering column. I agree it is much better that looking down at the fiddly controls on all units these days.

Here is the thing
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-RM-X...n_Car_Technology&hash=item3f1eb3e902

Fits nearly all old and current Sony Head Units.

I bought this for my daughters car and am very impressed with the sound for the price:-
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_869345_langId_-1_categoryId_165474

Cracking unit and easy to navigate through MP3 disks or memory sticks. And it works with Ipods.

DAB will take you up a proice bracket.