Radio - Sat Nav DD for 2007 M3

Technical Area Electrics & ICE
41

Hi devonmx

I’m also interested in the Pumpkin model.  Could you ‘PM’ me the details, please?

Thanks.

Graham

42

TA works fine

Display does not dim, tested on a lousy wet day on the M5 this Tuesday.

Radio quality is fine, and I have a stubby rubber aerial.

 

Have not had any real issues I could not solve/fix yet… 

 

 

43

OK, if the display does not dim with the headlights on - is it then too bright at night?

I asked the question about TA on Amazon and the suppliers themselves replied that it did not have TA - so I am confused.

It’s still looking like a good option as long as it doesn’t have some annoying thing (like too bright/dim) which would drive me crazy (easy to do).

44

Hi MX5imon

Like you [had] I have a Bose 6CD factory fitted unit at present.  Looking at the Pumpkin model you have fitted, am I correct in saying that you no longer have a CD player?

I don’t want to give up my CD player, but don’t mind losing the 6 CD Autochanger.  I have emailed Autopumpkin and they say the model I was interested in - same as ‘devonmx’ has fitted - is not suitable, but I am just wondering if that is because I stated I have a a Bose with 6CD Autochanger and they assume I still want an Autochanger!

All very confusing , and have to admit I’m starting to go off the idea of buying a Pumpkin unit and starting to lean towards buying one of the - albeit more expensive - Pioneer / Alpine etc. replacement units.

Also a shame they don’t have a UK Support telephone number so I could talk to someone about it!

45

The pumpkin does not have a CD slot.

However it is very easy and quick to “rip” your CDs to MP3 files using any PC or MAC.

Then you can have your entire CD collection (or as much of it as you want) on a memory card or USB memory stick that the Pumpkin will read.

 

46

Viffergb, The unit MX5imon has in his car has no cd slot, but I believe their single din unit does. You can see it here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016KA4IWY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2M6U9JT0LB0GG&coliid=I3PU8P1ME4P48&psc=1. I have been following this thread as I’m thinking of doing the same as devonmx and mx5imon but with this single din unit as it offers the same android experience, but in a smaller form factor so I can also have more cubby space in the car. have a look, see what you think.

 

Just my 2cents worth.

 

47

The one I was thinking of going for - same as ‘devonmx’ I believe - appears to have one, and although I take your point about “ripping” my CDs, I still want to have a CD Player available…call me a [old] dinosaur….

 

48

Hi icanttinkofaname, that single din certainly looks interesting.  One reservation is that the screen - when in use - will restrict access to the power hood switches - I have the hard top model.  Not that big an issue, but one I wouldn’t have if I were to use the same unit as ‘devonmx’.

Decisions…decisions…….

Appreciate your input .

49

Hi Devonmx,

                  I have just fitted a Pumpkin in my Mk2.5, very pleased with it and downloaded TomTom from Google play straight on it, costs about £14/year but free updates. Really please with the system, and with the correct iso lead its a doddle to fit

 

Regards Paul

50

My pumpkin has a CD slot

51

Yes, that’s the one I’ve set my sights on getting.  I’m just waiting to hear back from Pumpkin for confirmation that it can be a direct replacement for a Bose unit, as I’ve heard it’s not always the case when compared to replacing the standard radio with an aftermarket part…unless of course you’re saying you’ve replaced a Bose unit?

Thanks.

 

52

I am now totally confused after being in direct (email) contact with Support at Autopumpkin!.

 

Latest email from them rec’d today, states, and I quote :-

 

"1. All our car radios can not support the BOSE amplifier.

2. According to your photos, to install the radio you’re looking at, you will need a double din fascia frame and the special wiring harness for your car.

Would you mind checking the frame and wiring harness on ebay?"

 

…end quote.

 

To me, that’s saying their radios can’t be used in my model MX-5???

Also, if it could, they can’t supply the fascia and wiring harness…I prefer to avoid ‘fleabay’.

All of this is making me very nervous about spending money on something that is not guaranteed to work Undecided.

If only there was someone out there who can say they have fitted the same model Pumpkin as ‘devonmx’ has, into a MK3.75 (2014) with a factory fitted BOSE 6CD Autochanger and it all works a treat .

Perhaps I ought to just stick with using the satnav facility on the mobile phone for the time being.

53

I have the opposite problem, one option is to remove my Pioneer aftermarket and get back to a standard BOSE. But I am not sure what would be needed, assuming I got hold of a BOSE unit from somewhere. The BOSE “amplifier” has me confused - is this separate to the head unit?

Anyone got a photo of the back of a BOSE head unit? How are the 6 speakers (or is it 7) wired up? My pioneer only has 4 speaker outputs.

54

To be fair to Autopumpkin they have responded back saying the radio WILL work, but NOT the BOSE amplifier.

Excuse my ignorance, but what difference does the BOSE amplifier make as far as sound output / quality is concerned…if any!

I have to admit on our previous MK3 (2007) vehicle fitted with a non BOSE unit, I thought the sound quality was better than it is on our current BOSE unit.  Also the auto sound level output worked very well on the non BOSE model and much better than on the BOSE model we now have!

Sorry, haven’t got a picture of the back of our BOSE head unit as I haven’t tried removing it yet.

55

Ok Folks

Been using the radio for a month now and despite its few niggles is performing quite well for a budget unit, autopumkin support has been good and responded promptly to my questions etc.

Just thought you would like to see a few pics…

radio1  radoi2  radio3  radio4

 

radio6  radio7  radio8  radio5

Images show… DVD, Music, Radio, TA, Sat Nav, Apps

56

BOSE units use different impedance speakers from standard kit and a separate amp.

However my car has had the BOSE head replaced with a Pioneer head unit - so heaven alone know how it’s even working, but the sound is not good enough for my liking. Perhaps the subwoofer is not connected or something like that.

Nightmare really to understand what’s been done to it. Tempting to start over with completely new everything.

 

 

 

57

Following on, my 2006 has factory Bose, which I cant even hear above 3000rpm, just bought the Pumpkin in question, facia unit ect, I have speakers amps ect, Do I need to bypass the bose amp and replace speakers, any links to doing it, just dont want to go in blind??? 

58

Hi Chaos

Not an expert on this, but all the chat seems to point to " You have to have the right ISO harness for the Bose speakers, amp".  There are Two types, 1 non bose, 1 bose, having the correct one it should not be a problem… ???

59

Sent you a pm devonmx

60

Hi Devonmx

Must admit I’m really pleased with my Pumpkin, but whenever I set off on a planned route using IGO, soon after making the first change of direction, e.g. a turn, the screen reverts to virtually black with a big digital speed indicator in the middle + next turn graphic in top left corner + time, time of arrival (I think) + distance to go at bottom of screen.

At every change of direction, the creen does revert back to a map display, then back to the black screen soon after completion!!!

I have ‘screensaver’ disabled in the settings.  If NO route is planned, and I select ‘Map’, it quite happily displays the map all the time!

Any ideas, or have I found a bug, or more likely ‘finger trouble’ on my part .

I really like IGO, but unless I can sort this, I’m afraid I’ll be resorting to another satnav app, which would be a shame.

Graham

P.S. With black screen displayed I can tap the screen and it will revert to map display, but only for a few seconds before reverting back.