I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __installing upgrade head unit.
Anyone used Halfords for this service? I’m planning to replace the original Alpine head unit with an upgrade so i can use Android connectivity. I’m looking at the Kenwood DMX5020 which has some favourable reviews.
Don’t fancy messing with it myself, but can’t find a car audio installer near me. Halfords offer the supply and fit service, but i hear mixed reviews.
Any experience or alternative recommendations would be welcome.
Thanks
I agree. Halford are hardly ‘audio specialists’, and as for fitting things, I’ve witnessed them struggle to change a bulb before (had to take a work van there as we aren’t allowed to do it ourselves).
Fitted the Kenwood DMX8019 DABS in my 3.75 2013.
Can let you know what bits you will need and any help if needed.
Edit-
The only thing I would advise is getting a unit to connect via WiFi as that is a godsend.
It’s pretty pointless me saying what brand/unit to go for as we all have different views, opinions and budgets.
Quite straightforward (once you know of course!).
I also fitted the reverse camera at the same time and quite discreet and useful.
Like others I would avoid Halfords.
Edit- read you couldn’t find a local installer.
I agree with the others here, avoid Halfords. Have just finished the install of a Pioneer wireless dab unit with a reversing camera and new dab / fm aerial. Got the head unit from Amazon and the rest of the kit (inc complete fitting kit for - Bose amp) from Dynamic Sounds. It looked a bit daunting when I dismantled the centre console and dash facia but I just took my time and followed the instructions - along with info from previous posts on the forum. Anyway it all went back together and worked first time. Really pleased with it and the sound quality is way better than before.
The whisky helped.
On the subject but please excuse the slight veer, does anyone know if there are any compatibility issues between say the above pioneer and the bose system that came in my 3.75? Or will enough connectivity be provided for all the speakers and sub etc? Thanks.
Connects up fine with the correct harnesses, even the steering wheel controls work.
I had a slight issue with the sound on my Bose system. It had a different head unit in (not the OEM unit) when I bought it so I had to fettle the cables a little, sounds great.
Yep, agree with Mick, works perfectly with Bose, sounds so much better than before. As he said, just make sure you get the correct set of cables / connectors for systems with Bose. As others have mentioned in prev threads there’s a blue / white wire that you need to connect that turns the Bose amp on. As I had a Pioneer head unit one of the plugs on Dynamic Sounds supplied upgrade kit needed to be cut in two (also mentioned in prev threads) no big deal with my leatherman. The only other ‘extra’ things that needed to be done were a 12v supply for the new aerial - just tapped into the lighter socket supply and the reversing light supply for the rear camera (once again info gained from prev posts). Crikey this forum is invaluable!
Hey all - I’m in the same boat but starting to realised I’m probably going to have the do the work myself! I have a 2014 3.75 and what I believe to the Alpine stereo that was stock in this model (see pic). It does have bluetooth with I think is a luxury in anything under a Mk4 but it is also a pile of shite, swings and roundabouts…
Looking at other posts and YouTube vids I’m still a bit unsure as to whether I’m going to have to remove the centre console right back to the back seats or not? I’ve seen vids where they just remove the trim around the stereo but I think maybe on our models the whole console has to come off.
Is my best bet just to call dynamic sounds and ask them what I need? I’m hoping that having one of the later model Mk3s the job will be a bit more simple than most…!
Centre console is dead easy to remove - only 3 screws. It also makes it easier to remove the other bits. Re Dynamic Sounds, they seem to know their stuff and it was a one stop shop for me for the fitting kit.
Move that rubber mat forward of the gear stick to reveal the fixing screws to remove the side trims. The radio unit facia is fastened in with screws at the base revealed with the sides trims off. You’ll only need to remove the whole centre console if you want to pass a cable through to the cubby for phone connection.
Wow thanks guys, looks like I dont have to remove the whole console by the looks of it. Appreciate the advice. I’ll probably pick a decent head unit now and then give dynamic sounds a call.
One more thing thats bugging me, aren’t most of these modern stereos the same size so I wont need a fascia replacement?
Centre consul out as you probably have the gps/phone receiver taped on the tunnel underneath.
Likewise, you have a 10mm bolt to remove from the right hand side as you look at it. (Holds the unit in).
Very awkward and don’t need to put it back.
