** UPDATED **
Just finished the GA6166X install in my son's X5 (no-NAV/no-DSP) and it took me around 4 hours to complete. It got dark right before I was done so I'll take a few pics tomorrow and post them. I'm a tad OCD and practice "clean-as-you-go" techniques so it could have taken less time for those not as anal retentive as I am.
Ninety percent of the install was spent modding the factory plastic frame to accept the Eonon unit and allowing it to sit back like the factory MID unit that was removed. It was trial and error but I eventually got it there. The modded OEM plastic frame was not as "clean" as I would like, but it was a trial and error job with zero instructions from Eonon so I did the best I could using the following priorities: 1) fit/function and 2) appearance (nobody will actually ever see being it is behind the installed unit). Luckily, I did not have to use any screws to hold it in place because it is recessed into the dash like the OEM MID. For extra long-term security, I wedged a 1x2 between the modded OEM plastic frame and the bottom of the Eonon for extra support. It is rock solid in there without any play whatsoever.
Being his X5 didn't have factory NAV, modding the OEM plastic frame was a must. I had to cut out most of the top frame which was pretty easy with a dremel (and a small hacksaw blade for tight spaces) but the real pain in the buttocks was grinding away a portion of the frame face. If you leave the face of the frame untouched the unit will not recess into the dash allowing it to sit back like OEM and be stable for long-term use. So I removed approximately 1/2 inch from the face of the OEM plastic frame where it would contact the Eonon in the installed position. It was trial and error and took a heckuva lot longer than I was hoping it would, but the end result is fantastic.
On first power-up, I couldn't get the steering wheel controls to work. After doing some troubleshooting I found that Eonon pinned the SWC (steering wheel control) plug incorrectly. It is a two pin connector with a wire in only one location. The male and female connectors had pins in opposite ports so that was the culprit. I re-pinned the port and the steering wheel controls worked perfectly.
I read somewhere that you should set your volume control at 50% before removing the OEM MID unit so when you install the Eonon the volume levels will be normalized. I forgot to do that beforehand and thought the Eonon volume was too loud on first power-up because at about 50% the factory speakers were distorting. So I reinstalled the MID and set it to 50% like the instructions I read somewhere beforehand told me to and reconnected the Eonon. Unfortunately I had the same issue... volume was too loud on the Eonon. So I reinstalled the MID yet again and this time I set the volume to 0%. I reconnected the Eonon and now the speakers don't distort until about 75%. I can live with that. This process may be different for DSP sound systems, but for the standard sound system (Hi-Fi I think it is called), set your OEM MID to 0% volume before installing the Eonon.
Aside from those small issues, the install was easy breezy. I am an Android guy so the interface is what I am used to. My son is an Apple kid so we'll get his take tomorrow when I show him the ropes.
Pros
- Priceless upgrade from the antiquated OEM MID/CD player units and the factory aesthetic is awesome
- Radio reception is WAY better than OEM (I was shocked with this)
- Easy bluetooth and wifi integration to phone (no 4G USB dongle in use)
- Bezel lighting matches OEM perfectly
- Tons of options allowing you to customize your experience (live wallpapers are pretty sweet!)
Cons
- Eonon does not provide any installation instructions. I could not understand how this could be possible and was very suspicious as a result, and once I started the install I realized why they left them out... because mounting the unit is not an exact science. So while this unit is made to FUNCTION specifically for the E53, the whole FITMENT element behind the dash is a completely different story. While the wiring is "plug-n-play" and very straight forward, the mounting of this unit will pose a challenge.
So those are my initial thoughts on the unit. After a couple of weeks of use I'll come back and provide updates based on what my son tells me. Til then - CHEERS!
I've made a quick video so hit the link below!
https://youtu.be/wce7aS1x5fc