E39 16:9 replacement
Discussion
Has anyone with the widescreen sat nav/tv replaced their head unit?
The current unit is ok, but it's showing its age. So looking to replace it with something else.
Want:
- 3D Sat Nav
- Bluetooth
- USB and/or SD inputs
Would like:
- Integration with steering wheel controls
Seen the offering from TVinMotion which hasn't actually been released yet http://www.tv-in-motion.co.uk/bmw_headunit.html. Looks good but pricy at £500 for unproven tech.
Lots of Chinese variations on the above for sensible money but reviews are mixed to say the least. I get the impression that these units are "get what you pay for"
So would the alternative be double din units from reputable manufacturers? Alpine, JVC, kenwood, etc all seem to have some very nice offerings.
Anyone actually done this?
The current unit is ok, but it's showing its age. So looking to replace it with something else.
Want:
- 3D Sat Nav
- Bluetooth
- USB and/or SD inputs
Would like:
- Integration with steering wheel controls
Seen the offering from TVinMotion which hasn't actually been released yet http://www.tv-in-motion.co.uk/bmw_headunit.html. Looks good but pricy at £500 for unproven tech.
Lots of Chinese variations on the above for sensible money but reviews are mixed to say the least. I get the impression that these units are "get what you pay for"
So would the alternative be double din units from reputable manufacturers? Alpine, JVC, kenwood, etc all seem to have some very nice offerings.
Anyone actually done this?
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Thanks for replying CMThats exactly what I've been reading... the interface's suck and the Chinese units in most cases don't have a CPU capable of running the sat nav and so overhead and switch off/die.
So thats them out of the question.
Don't agree with you about 3D sat nav, case in point, I accidently stumbled on the magic roundabout in Swindon after visiting the inlaws. I have a 2009 DVD in the drive so it knew where I was but the simple arrow directions were impossible to interpret. I've since been back there with the TomTom and it was simple to navigate as the directions given had context in terms of seeing the various exits, etc. So this is a pre-req.
As the car has the full TV and Comms pack, and given that my commute is 70 miles and 3 - 4 hours a day, I would like a decent HU. Not fused about TV or DVD's but do want the features listed in the first post
stellacheersmate said:
rassi said:
You can have 3D satnav if your nav drive is DVD based (MK4). With operating system v30 and above, 3D is enabled.
Thanks RassiI have DVD based sat nav -> My car is a 2001 530. How do you go about upgrading then, I haven't looked into this...
Hi there,
I have an E39 myself and involved with the aftermarket audio industry. E39 owners the world over fall mainly into two areas - that is
80% of them want to keep the OEM 'looks' no matter what - so all after market units are ruled out.
20% don't mind changing to after market but want it to look as close to OEM as possible.
The issue with the E39 and fitting a double DIN head unit is the cabin airbox is shaped in such a way that an aftermarket unit wont fit. The way around it is to modify it to make space and then to install a double DIN fitting kit and finally a neat matching fascia piece. The airbox modification will be around 3-4 hours of labour charges by a repuatable car audio dealer, the fitting kit and fascia are around 120 Euros for the Fascia and 70 Euros for the fitting kit. Perhaps another 20 Euros for delivery and I'd estimate around £190 for that element. So just to prepare the dash area you'd be looking at around £350-400. A Double DIN head unit with the features you'd want would be around £800 at the very least (GPS built in bumps price up) from a premium brand current range product.
For the UK, there are 3 main units that are of Chinese origin.
First, is the Hualingan unit which has been available to an extent for the last 2 months or so. Priced at around £500 supply only. A bit of take up in the USA, and also horrendous supply issues, they seem to only be capable of making a few units at a time - some customers having been waiting for over 2 months for their unit. A 'few' UK suppliers have the unit, but minimal uptake so far - so no UK based feedback from customers as yet. Version 2 is apparently on it's way as we speak. No official UK importer of the unit, those companies that are selling them are promising full after sales and warranty to their credit. Beware if purchasing from the many ebay sellers, anything goes wrong, you'd have to send it back to China!
Secondly, is the more well controlled and to be distributed Dynavin brand. Official UK importers offering full guarantee and UK based support and fitting and repair facilities. They already have had the E46 units out for some months. The E39 unit is I believe shipping this week (was promised in May!) This will be at their price of £750 fitted.
Thirdly is the yet to be released TV in Motion unit - they promise features like BMW computer support to show range, consumption etc, better internals, higher quality DVD player transports etc. Website currently shows £498 - quite if it'll retail at that whenever it is released remains to be seen.
All the chinese units offer wide & touch screen 7" in Hualingan and 6.5" in the Dynavin, iGo GPS software SatNav (dont know if the Dynavin and TV in motion offer the same) DVD player, iPod control, steering wheel control, SD card media playback, built in amplifier, DVB-T Digital TV either built in or in a separate small box, Bluetooth, Address book import, mobile phone hands free.
Time will tell just how successful these Chinese replacements will actually be.
PM me for any more info on the premium brand items and also take a look at some of the dedicated BMW forums where all these solutions are discussed
Cheers, Dennis!
I have an E39 myself and involved with the aftermarket audio industry. E39 owners the world over fall mainly into two areas - that is
80% of them want to keep the OEM 'looks' no matter what - so all after market units are ruled out.
20% don't mind changing to after market but want it to look as close to OEM as possible.
The issue with the E39 and fitting a double DIN head unit is the cabin airbox is shaped in such a way that an aftermarket unit wont fit. The way around it is to modify it to make space and then to install a double DIN fitting kit and finally a neat matching fascia piece. The airbox modification will be around 3-4 hours of labour charges by a repuatable car audio dealer, the fitting kit and fascia are around 120 Euros for the Fascia and 70 Euros for the fitting kit. Perhaps another 20 Euros for delivery and I'd estimate around £190 for that element. So just to prepare the dash area you'd be looking at around £350-400. A Double DIN head unit with the features you'd want would be around £800 at the very least (GPS built in bumps price up) from a premium brand current range product.
For the UK, there are 3 main units that are of Chinese origin.
First, is the Hualingan unit which has been available to an extent for the last 2 months or so. Priced at around £500 supply only. A bit of take up in the USA, and also horrendous supply issues, they seem to only be capable of making a few units at a time - some customers having been waiting for over 2 months for their unit. A 'few' UK suppliers have the unit, but minimal uptake so far - so no UK based feedback from customers as yet. Version 2 is apparently on it's way as we speak. No official UK importer of the unit, those companies that are selling them are promising full after sales and warranty to their credit. Beware if purchasing from the many ebay sellers, anything goes wrong, you'd have to send it back to China!
Secondly, is the more well controlled and to be distributed Dynavin brand. Official UK importers offering full guarantee and UK based support and fitting and repair facilities. They already have had the E46 units out for some months. The E39 unit is I believe shipping this week (was promised in May!) This will be at their price of £750 fitted.
Thirdly is the yet to be released TV in Motion unit - they promise features like BMW computer support to show range, consumption etc, better internals, higher quality DVD player transports etc. Website currently shows £498 - quite if it'll retail at that whenever it is released remains to be seen.
All the chinese units offer wide & touch screen 7" in Hualingan and 6.5" in the Dynavin, iGo GPS software SatNav (dont know if the Dynavin and TV in motion offer the same) DVD player, iPod control, steering wheel control, SD card media playback, built in amplifier, DVB-T Digital TV either built in or in a separate small box, Bluetooth, Address book import, mobile phone hands free.
Time will tell just how successful these Chinese replacements will actually be.
PM me for any more info on the premium brand items and also take a look at some of the dedicated BMW forums where all these solutions are discussed
Cheers, Dennis!
Edited by DennisCooper on Thursday 21st October 20:49
Dennis - thanks for the really consise reply! I'm in the 20% group, all about the features with OEM look a close second. Like I said, I'm spending a lo of time in the car, hence why I went for the 5 as it's a great env to be in!
I have to be honest, the figures you were quoting for an after market double din unit are steep! Kind of hard to justify spending that on a HU when really, I should be concentrating on having the auto box serviced as I've just ticked over the 140K today.
Out of interest, what would double din would you suggest?
Thanks again
I have to be honest, the figures you were quoting for an after market double din unit are steep! Kind of hard to justify spending that on a HU when really, I should be concentrating on having the auto box serviced as I've just ticked over the 140K today.
Out of interest, what would double din would you suggest?
Thanks again
Hiya
I'd 100% recommend going for one of the premium branded units rather than any of the el cheapo Chinese units you see on ebay. Whilst those units are cheap, they are so becuase they use cheap electronics and physically don't fit very well either, they're slightly over-sized by a few mm which makes all the difference when using a fitting kit.
Depending on which features you want, the very 'cheapest' decent brand double din units you can have for around £125. Those will be non touchscreen, basic units - CD player and tuner with MP3 CD playback. As you go up in wanted features the price will rise accordingly.
Most double DIN wants are for a 6.5 inch wide touchscreen, iPod control, video playback, MP3/USB stick playback of video/audio, a DVD player (although over the next few years those will fade out) some form of hands free for pairing with your mobile phone, and perhaps steering wheel controls. A few units around like that, and would cost around the £380 and above mark. When you start adding in the features like GPS, multi zone control, bluetooth streaming and other features, the price will move past the £5-600 range, right up to the super units with everything features wise for around £1000.
Have a look around at the various units and evaluate what your needs and requirements are! if you need any help and advice, feel free to get in touch
In my E39 I have the Alpine iXA-W407BT unit
Cheers, Dennis!
I'd 100% recommend going for one of the premium branded units rather than any of the el cheapo Chinese units you see on ebay. Whilst those units are cheap, they are so becuase they use cheap electronics and physically don't fit very well either, they're slightly over-sized by a few mm which makes all the difference when using a fitting kit.
Depending on which features you want, the very 'cheapest' decent brand double din units you can have for around £125. Those will be non touchscreen, basic units - CD player and tuner with MP3 CD playback. As you go up in wanted features the price will rise accordingly.
Most double DIN wants are for a 6.5 inch wide touchscreen, iPod control, video playback, MP3/USB stick playback of video/audio, a DVD player (although over the next few years those will fade out) some form of hands free for pairing with your mobile phone, and perhaps steering wheel controls. A few units around like that, and would cost around the £380 and above mark. When you start adding in the features like GPS, multi zone control, bluetooth streaming and other features, the price will move past the £5-600 range, right up to the super units with everything features wise for around £1000.
Have a look around at the various units and evaluate what your needs and requirements are! if you need any help and advice, feel free to get in touch
In my E39 I have the Alpine iXA-W407BT unit
Cheers, Dennis!
Thanks again Dennis! Had a good look around and I see what you mean. I need to really consider how important Sat Nav is to justify going from around the 400 mark to 800+ mark for sat nav built in. Your Apline look very nice
O/T - as you seem to know your audio stuff - can you recommend me a DAB receiver while I make my mind up about the HU?
Darren
ETA - can you get DAB receivers with maybe a flash card or USB slot?
O/T - as you seem to know your audio stuff - can you recommend me a DAB receiver while I make my mind up about the HU?
Darren
ETA - can you get DAB receivers with maybe a flash card or USB slot?
Edited by stellacheersmate on Thursday 28th October 08:53
Hi Stellascheersmate,
DAB has yet not really caught the UK's driving population's imagination and hence there's not much on the market. I've not had any direct experience either, so I'd suggest taking a look at other car audio specialist sites to see what others who do have it think and perhaps recommend.
I wish we did have a similar service to the USA's satellite radio, absolutley fantastic option - I had a hired dodge Challenger in January this year where it was enabled - brilliant! I'm back out in Vegas/LA/New York tommorow, and I hope my dodge challenger again has satellite radio!
No doubt over the course of the next couple years, DAB or its equivalent will become more popular and thus the car radio manufacturers will begin to offer it as standard in their units.
Cheers, Dennis!
DAB has yet not really caught the UK's driving population's imagination and hence there's not much on the market. I've not had any direct experience either, so I'd suggest taking a look at other car audio specialist sites to see what others who do have it think and perhaps recommend.
I wish we did have a similar service to the USA's satellite radio, absolutley fantastic option - I had a hired dodge Challenger in January this year where it was enabled - brilliant! I'm back out in Vegas/LA/New York tommorow, and I hope my dodge challenger again has satellite radio!
No doubt over the course of the next couple years, DAB or its equivalent will become more popular and thus the car radio manufacturers will begin to offer it as standard in their units.
Cheers, Dennis!
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