Changing Headunit

[x5e53]

All,

I am on the hunt for a new Headunit to replace the widescreen standard analog tv unit in my E53 X5 4.8is 54 plate.
The new head unit will need to fill the space left by taking the current one out as much as possible.
It will also need USB input, Aux input (RCA in and/or 3.5mm in) aswell as Bluetooth.

There are many on the market but I was wondering which ones people have installed and their experiences.
I prefer head units that look 'stock' - i.e. do not look out of place compared to the rest of the dash/console.

Any links/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[SLX530]

Would recommend you go on this site and do a search.http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/forum/64-e39-1996-2004/
I have seen lots of discussion over there on many and most aftermarket options including Dynavin, Pumpkin, Eonon, etc and the only difference between the original wide-screen head units on the E39 vs E53 was the screen viewing angle.

[Steamyrotter]

Also the Ibus messages are slightly different i believe but this won't affect you if you are ripping it out!!

[graemeX5]

Hi
I had a chat with dave my audio guy I know and he recommended a Kenwood head unit, over the cheaper Chinese imports that were around as more reliable.  So air found a doubled-din unit with touch screen. The fitting kit for it was expensive but did the job well and came from an audio company in north London.

In the 3 years it was fitted it was very good and had a Dvd and Sat nav Bluetooth connected to phone iPhone 4 ok etc and had the option to add a camera if you wanted and the module. I think the head into was circa £500 as end of the line and I think it was a DNX 9620BT iirc, and the fitting kit had all the fittings and cradle and fascia was about £150.

Sat nav was a garmin one and easy to use and very good sound even with standard speakers. You may be able to get one newer model or second hand one but no probs with the unit. I wouldn't go back to the BMW sat nav although it had more of the trip computer but the dash did that as well.

Hope that helps
Graeme

[x5e53]

I was looking at the following Eonon D5166X Unit:
https://www.eonon.com/Car-GPS/Specific- ... 5166X.html
with the additonal DAB radio unit:
http://www.eonon.com/Others/Others/V0036.html
The Eonon D5166X unit is £329 (with the Western Europe maps) and the DAB unit is £71 (with shipping).
So £400 all in - which seems quite expensive.

Or there is the Eonon GA5166X Unit:
https://www.eonon.com/Car-GPS/Android-C ... 5166X.html
Doesn't state it supports the DAB unit.
The Eonon GA5166X is £300 (no need for the maps, as it supports Google Maps).
This seems like a better option in my opinion.

I know people say stay clear from the Chinese imports, but surely they cant be that bad can they?

[Beanoir]

I recently put a Dynavin N6 in mine, transformed the experience for me, much more modern interface, looks OEM and has all the connectivity and expansion you'd probably ever need.  It's really a good quality unit, I'm very impressed and worth the money. 

[grumpywurzel]

I am thinking of doing mine, do you lose the mpg/range stuff if you swap out the headunit?

[Sanj]

[quote="grumpywurzel"]
I am thinking of doing mine, do you lose the mpg/range stuff if you swap out the headunit?
[/quote]

Yes - all of it. But you have it on the dash. Just a pain if you kill the battery and then need to set the clock.

But if you never have the clock in the binnacle then doesn't matter. I have range in mine, don't care for any of the other options.

[x5e53]

I use torque pro app which has all that info on it.
That is one of the main reasons i wanted a Android head unit.

I emailed a seller on ebay regarding the GA5166X,they said they can do it for £318 delivered.

[grumpywurzel]

[quote="Sanj"]
[quote="grumpywurzel"]
I am thinking of doing mine, do you lose the mpg/range stuff if you swap out the headunit?
[/quote]

Yes - all of it. But you have it on the dash. Just a pain if you kill the battery and then need to set the clock.

But if you never have the clock in the binnacle then doesn't matter. I have range in mine, don't care for any of the other options.


[/quote]

Tbh I do have the clock on all the time, I am off to see a audio fitting place later today/tomorrow to weigh up the options.

How do you set the clock if you kill the battery, I guess via BMW Scanner?

Cheers for the info x5e53! Another thing to think about

[Beanoir]

The headunit displays the clock all the time, so I don't have it in the binnacle anyway. 

[grumpywurzel]

Getting mine done on Saturday so will fine out what I am left with  ::)

[x5e53]

Which one did you go for? Any links to it?

[grumpywurzel]

[quote="x5e53"]
Which one did you go for? Any links to it?
[/quote]

Sorry mate, the guys I am using haven't even got it on their website as its brand new. When its fitted I will post up a piccy

[grumpywurzel]

Well it's fitted..... got major snags tho, needs to go back to the shop on Monday.  Guys had been at it for 9 hours but somehow they have disturbed something as I have no go no speedo, mpg gauge, tacho, ABS, 4x4 light is up and the flat tyre light is up. The CANBUS system is throwing up all sorts of errors, oh well they are specialists so they can crack on and sort it on monday  :'(