Parking sensors issue with after market stereo

[mpbw]

Firstly, I am a newbie, I have had my X5 for a couple of weeks now and on the whole I am happy with it. There a few bits and bobs to sort but nothing I can’t live with until I get round to it. Great forum by the way, very informative and thought provoking.

Anyway back to my question, my x came with the basic stereo and I was fine with that as I intend to install a fairly subtle but uprated system. My intention is to change the head unit, speakers, add an amp and sub and then eventually put screens in and headphone jacks in the back for the kids.

Step one is the head unit and I have decided to go for one of the new double din Pioneer units. They have great ipod control, Bluetooth built in and also the neat feature of being able a dvd to the rear whilst playing music in the front. It seems to me that fitting it is a pretty simple affair using a conversion double din unit and connect2 wiring looms for steering control etc.

Where I come unstuck is that I was told that my parking sensors would stop working if I changed out the stereo. So if you’re still reading here’s the question. How do I get round the problem of my parking sensors stopping working? There seems to be a kit for a CANBUS car but not an I-BUS? Any one got any ideas?

[Sanj]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Drop some details about yourself and the car in the Introduce Yourself section when you get a mo...

Back to your question - they will continue to work. Whoever told you is not well enough informed!

Use the search button, you'll get lots. But here's two to start you off:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=771#p8285

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1247&p=13659&hilit=new+headunit#p13722

[kena]

Don't know anything about the parking sensors sorry.
But will the aftermarket double din unit fit without any modification. I seem to recall somewhere that some mods are needed to the air vent system behind the factory unit. It's a tight fit behind there. I could be wrong but it's worth checking out before you start.

[mpbw]

Sanj, thanks for your help there really useful. The guy who told me that they wouldn't work runs a car audio an install place in Byfleet. He wanted £1k+ to sell and install the stereo so i guess I should have known he was padding the bill. Given the head unit retails at £300 elsewhere it seemed a bit punchy!

I will post some details about the and I soon. In the meantime thank you helping me out.

Incidentally, can anyone recommend a good dealer/installer near Farnham (Surrey)? When it comes to the amp and sub and speakers etc I want the pros to do it.

[Sanj]

You're welcome!

What do you have at the mo? HiFi speaker upgrade? You can tell by looking in the rear door cards, you should have two speakers, if you do. Tweeters higher up and woofers low down.

If you do, you have a Harmon Kardon amp. This powers the current 10 speakers. Another amp would ONLY be required if you want a sub. See x555s thread on Sub Enclosure if you want the best.

You'll need to find somewhere for the amp to hide and both x555 and Pewters did good installs with details on How To. That way you know the amount of work needed and how much to shell out, plus you'd probably end up teaching the pro installer a few things!

Fire away any time if you need more advice.