Newbie needs a push in right direction (yes, another one of those infotainment update

Hi all,

First of all I want to introduce myself. I'm Benjamin and I've recently purchased a 2002 RR Vogue. I've been lurking around for quiet a while and have been using the vast amount of info and tips found on this forum. I sincerely thank the community on here to share all their knowledge, it already helped me out a couple of times.

The first non-solvable issue I got with my new purchase, and apparently I'm not the only one, is the infotainment unit in the car. The satnav is not functioning and losing pixels and I lack musical choices. (Only 6CD, tape and radio). I am a music professional and the "car-check" is a daily part of my profession. So having access to Aux-in or iPhone in is really a must for me.

I've been looking around for quiet awhile now and I've bought an aftermarket unit from a company that repeatedly claimed it would fit my car and all BMW X5's (). I gave the company my vin-number, photos of the dash, year and model. Installer came this morning and the frame and the cables didn't fit at all. The company now says it won't fit if it has an satnav by default. I'm happy to cut in the frame if that's the only major adaption to make.

I've been looking to some other options and it has been confusing at best. A couple of questions to make my research a tad easier.

1. I have a 2002 Range Rover Vogue (with DSP), does this year of make excludes the next years? (2003/2004). Some links suggest that 2003 is different than 2002 and other links suggest that everything from 2002 to 2006 is pretty much the same.

2. To make it short, I've been looking through 500+ posts to find any option but I yet have to find a successful aftermarket unit. There's a lot of posts on it but rarely find confirmation. Could someone push me to a link of a working system?

3. For what I found out now without having confirmation on aforementioned units, is the swapping to a MKIV BMW system my easiest option? And then install an intravee?

I'm sorry for the many questions, but I already blew 600 AU$ on the first unit (that was a 100% fit according to the company) and I don't want to make any other mistakes. I'm happy to do the work and research but some pushes in the right direction would be highly appreciated.

My goal would be to have a working unit with the DSP system with
1. aux-in or iPhone in
2. sat-nav (Australia)
3. Steering wheel controls

... anything else is optional.

I do apologize to creat ANOTHER post about this bloody infotainment upgrade but I would appreciate any push in the right direction.


Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Regards,

Benjamin

Hi there,


The aftermarket unit won't work with your DSP system without major wiring modifications

One of them would be that the DSP amp would have to be removed and an aftermarket amp with crossovers would have to be installed

That BMW X5 aftermarket unit you've bought will work with the low line HSE audio speaker system / the non DSP version

And yes they won't fit without quite a bit of cutting to the original screen mountings

Hope that helps

Hi Hippo,

Thanks for your quick reply.

I don't mind if I have to cut in the frame if necessary. I'm pretty sure I can do that and having the unit fit nicely in the dash.

I prefer not to have to replace the DSP amp, since it's a good one and it would blow my budget if I have to buy a new one. Are you suggesting there is no way to keep the current DSP and rewire it to the aftermarket unit? Even with extensive wiring?

However, I'm keen to do work and willing to have a go at rewiring but I would need some experienced assistance. Anyone you know of on here who went for that "adventure"?

Thanks again for your quick reply.

(By the way, the company got back to me today saying it would definitely fit (wire-wise) but the unit would stick out a cm. So according to your feedback, they stringing me along. Or am I being paranoiac?)

The word Intravee sticks in my mind!!!

http://www.toysinyourcar.com/acatalog/intravee.html

The word Intravee sticks in my mind!!!

http://www.toysinyourcar.com/acatalog/intravee.html

Click to expand...

Doesn't that imply that I would have to upgrade to a newer BM54 system before I can do so.

BenjaminD said:

Doesn't that imply that I would have to upgrade to a newer BM54 system before I can do so.

Click to expand...

Nope. The audio is played through the existing cd audio line, controls run through the ibus. Its a nice system, can be a bit sluggish as its old tech but does work a treat and gives a whole load of other features whilst still keeping the OEM look and feel. I had a Chinese unit for a while and junked it to go back to original.

Wonder how that works since as soon as you disconnect the cd-charger, you can't select CD anymore in the stock unit menu.

BenjaminD said:

Wonder how that works since as soon as you disconnect the cd-charger, you can't select CD anymore in the stock unit menu.

Click to expand...

As far as I know, the CD unit remains plugged in and the Intravee intercepts the audio signal from the CD unit and substitues the mp3 player signal....

Hell, I don't know how it works, all I know is it does !!!

If you are keen to chop around your electronics, head to www.fullfatrr.com and seek out the threads and posts of a member called Joe90.....he is a bit of an infotainment genius and has even fitted a PC to the car that works off the screen controls...quite clever!

The intravee pretends to be the cd changer. You will also need a an Alpine Kca something interface to plug your iPod into and this then plugs into the Intravee. It's a good system with a OEM feel.