Hymer Starline vs. AudioFile custom install

[Spuffington]

Sooo, indulgence time!

I'm figuring that although there'll inevitably be ongoing expenditure required in maintaining the motorhome, I've got it pretty much the way I want it and all foreseeable mechanical expense has been undertaken and I've already budgeted for the Hab Check and Bike Rack fitting for the end of the month, so some indulgence is now required!

The one thing which is really lacking from Harry is a decent sound system. Whoever bought him originally spent a bit of money on a decent headunit and DVD-based nav drive & screen, but both of these are now laughably outdated and surplus to requirements. Nav duties are taken care of by a portable Garmin motorhome-specific GPS, one of the Merc speakers has blown and there is almost nothing to be heard over the roar of the 5-cylinder engine. Therefore, bring in Gary Hallwood of AudioFile, Bishops Storford.

Gary is well known in ICE circles and well known to my after installing a brilliant upgrade to my E70 X5 a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, the X5 is gone but my memory of just what he did to that car lives on and he's confirmed he'd love to tackle Harry's sound System.

We've yet to fully nail down the job, but the following is planned:-

- replace the existing headunit with an Alpine unit, including DAB (plus DAB antenna), bluetooth streaming and iPod/USB hookup;
- Dynamat the underside of the dash scuttling beyond the factory dash to the windscreen for better soundproofing;
- replace the existing Merc Speakers with new Focal tweeters & mids and Dynamat around them;
- install a small active subwoofer behind the front seats (probably underneath the sofa);
- install new speakers in hab area and link the whole unit to the leisure battery to be able to enjoy both on the move and when static.

We're just agreeing upon a date where I can book Harry in and we're still to do final costings, but reckon my budget will be ok (if not flexed a few hundred quid) but I'm very excited.

One of the things I was so impressed with when Gary and his team did my X5 was how unintrusive the whole thing was. There were only small bits which had to be installed which weren't factory, but to the untrained eye (and even to my OCD eye), it all looked OEM. This is exactly what I want for the motorhome. I'm also hoping that he can use the existing switched 12v feed for the ancient satnav for a perment connection of my Garmin satnav so that can be dashmounted for a more "integrated" look.

Gary's team take pictures throughout the installation process. For anyone interested, I'll keep this thread updated with pics and commentary as and when it's being done.

[crankedup]

Enjoyed reading of your previous adventure and found this post interesting. Compare to my vintage combo : IN CAR

On the ove music : No
Air con No
Heater : YES
Any modern driver assist aids : No

IN CARAVAN :

Running water No
Toilet facilities : Bucket'n chuck it
Music : Yes portable wired direct to a 12v car battery.
Cooker : camping hob with grill or paraffin hob and oven depending on my mood.
Shower : Bucket'n chuck it
Heater : No
Lighting : No
Double glazing :

And this is the deluxe version!!

[SimesJH]

I've had something very similar installed in my RMB.

Well worth it, in my view.

[Spuffington]

Thanks SimesMH - I'm trying desperately to get it booked in, but looks like Gary might have a bit of a waiting list, which means we might not make it before France.

I'm also convinced it's a good thing to drop a bit of cash on. Keeping little'un entertained with either music or singalong tapes is a good way of keeping her involved on some of the longer trips and for me, having something to listen to over the sound of the engine (albeit sometimes I like listening to just the 5-cylinder constantly chugging away doing ist thing without complaint), will be good.

@crankedup - I know back to basics for some is part of the attraction, but for me it's about having a few more creature comforts! And when you're covering 2k miles in two weeks in the thing, nice to have some proper entertainment.

[Spuffington]

So, just to update this:

Unfortunately, Gary and I ended up at crossed wires with the Quote - I was expecting it via email, he sent it to my Messenger account. Which meant I only ended up seeing it when it was too late to get it in for the Pyrennes trip. No matter, since I also went ahead and blew all my cash on a Z4 prior to the trip, so nothing available for the audio install.

The trip did, however, reconfirm that something Needs doing with the ICE since relying on the Bose SoundDock wasn't going enough.

Now licking my wounds after suffering enormous depreciation on the Z4 after it had to be chucked in for a Yeti (!) I'm back in saving mode for the Audio Install. I will update this thread in all likelihood in Spring once I get the work done.