Has anyone experience of specifying and installing Pioneer/Kenwood (et al) touch screen Android system to provide DAB, Waze navigation etc? KISS, I’m a mechanical engineer, not an electrician. Your collective wisdom regarding best brand, ease of installation and performance please. Not interested in Apple related products. Thanks, Sundaydriver
With the correct facia plate and loom adaptor - it is almost plug and play to install a 7" touch screen unit and have the steering wheel controls working.
You will need to fit and install the GPS aerial supplied with the head unit.
You will need to fit and install the mic supplied with the unit.
This is my 2006 with a 7" EONON Q04pro Android unit fitted.
It’s a really simple job to swap the head unit out in an NC, get a fascia plate and loom adapter and as @CBRDEANO says it’s pretty much plug and play. The only thing to look out for is there’s a 10mm bolt at the rear of the stock head unit on the drivers side to hold it in place and it’s kinda awkward to get at, certainly for me the instructions I got with my fascia didn’t mention that and I spent ages trying to figure out why the unit wasn’t just slipping out like it was supposed to. Once I found that out it came out no problem at all.
Get yourself some plastic trim removal tools and it’ll be dead easy trust me if I can do it anyone can.
I replaced the Alpine unit in mine with a Kenwood DMX8021DABS using the Dynamic Sounds FKIT-MAZDA-40 harness. The steering button adapter works great, you don’t need to configure it in the unit settings which is where I was caught out, it just works.
It works really well. There have been a couple time where it has been unresponsive despite music playing, usually after a while driving, but very rare.
I routed the included USB-C cable into the glove box for wired Android Auto and charging. The wireless connects very quick. The only difference I have noticed between the two is the resolution is noticeably lower when on wireless.
I just left the DAB aerial in the glove box as I don’t use the radio, but when testing it worked fine. It would be better tidied away though…one day.
Thanks to all who replied. Very reassuring. The fact that a couple of suppliers had quoted over £350 to install a unit had given me the impression that there was a lot of work involved.
Now need to establish the best unit… EONON, Kenwood or Panasonic. I have a Dynavin in my E39 Bimmer but I guess its now rather old fashioned. One of the priorities is to be able to run WAZE navigation on the unit.
As soon as you have Android Auto or Apple Carplay running - WAZE is run just like you would on the phone.
One extra consideration - does the current unit in your car say “BOSE” on the front face ?
If yes - then there is a little bit more wiring to connect the BOSE amp ( unless you choose to rewire the car and remove the amp )
Thanks for the Waze and Bose heads-up. Yes, mine is Bose labelled. Decided to sub contract the fitting. I can change a clutch and fit new coilovers etc., but electrical plumbing is not my thing! Ergo, I’m getting quotes to supply & fit a Pioneer SPH-DA250DAB. It seems to do everything that I need at a reasonable price!
If you have a NC3 Nav you will need a new facia the alpine and tom tom systems are just slightly too small
Hi, taking delivery of my NC on Friday and this is one of the first things I want to do. Can I ask how you got on please and the install cost. Also what you think of the head unit.
I also have a Bose system but I need DAB and Apple Play for Google maps and Spotify!
Thanks Iain
I have fitted the pioneer DA160DAB myself in my 2008 NC. It’s very easy to do just follow the instructions. There are plenty of instructional videos that will help. I will be fitting a reversing camera.
My system cam with all that items needed to install it mounting brackets cables etc.
Hi cbrdeano
Looks good just as an aside where did you get the phone holder from and what model phone
I’m looking for something like that
Welcome Chris. Thanks also to Iain and others for valuable input. Yup, my unit was named Bose. Sub-contracted the installation. Got a better price to supply and fit the SPH-DA250DAB. Extremely happy with the outcome. The image of the phone holder was not mine I’m afraid.
Holder is a BRODIT active cradle and a pro-clip ( attaches to the car )
They do holders for most phones - mine is an A50
Thanks I’ll look into them
This is the next thing to do to my 2006 NC but where did you get hold of the fascia?
I have read a review on the one offered by MX5parts that suggests it is ill fitting and pops out.
I did, as suggested by another member, go to Halfords and they gave me a great deal but then when it finally came to rearranged fitting dates they could not source a fascia that wasn’t after-market (policy seemingly).
So far;
Super pro poly’s
B12 lowering
RPM sports cat SS (manifold back) exhaust
Royals steering wheel
Dave fab coolant exp tank
Respray wiper arms
Re lacquer head lamps
Dreaming of;
Touchscreen (mainly for sat nav/convenience)
Remap/manifold etc but scared of bad BBR reviews
I got This One from Dynamic Sounds. I didn’t have any issues with the fit or anything and the supplied patch lead means all the steering wheel controls work fine.
thanks, i already ordered the dynamic though in my eagerness (lol)
i must say that yours does look really tidy though 
mine is not the bose fitted system so I am now looking through the multiple systems… pioneer/kenwood etc, how do you choose?
my 20yo ov door speakers are probably worthy of an upgrade if investing in stereo unit
Pretty sure the Dynamic Sounds one is a Connects 2 one so it will be the same.
As far as head units selection - decide what features you need/want and find a unit that offers them.
My wants were :
Touch Screen
Music from a memory card
Android auto ( wired and wireless )
DAB radio
Availability to install and run the “TORQUE” app
Pre-outs to drive the bose amplifier
Steering wheel controls working.
