My 2005 X5 Aftermarket Radio Install Thread

[mr_robot]

They now have a thing called Z-Box that you can hook up your iphone and get Apple Car Play.

[whizzkid23]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

In my experience Seicane has no capability to help if you have any issues.

When I first installed my unit it would not work with DSP or load DVDs. That was in Nov. of 2017. After 6 months of trying work with Seicane they told me to take it to an audio shop and they would refund half of purchase price. It cost me $300+ at an audio shop to get the DSP problem solved. The shop could not resolve the DVD problem. I informed them of the cost and that DVD issue was not resolved. They did not credit me anything. They are saying they never agreed to do so even though I have sent them the emailed offer.

I am still going back and forth with them about the DVD issue. Recently they told me my unit is over six months old and to get it fixed I have to send it back to them. That means I will have a hole in my dash for a month or more and who knows if they can fix it or will send it back or try to charge me for the repair. I have been insisting their offer is not acceptable and suggested other options that I think are more reasonable. I get return emails but there has been no acknowledgement of my suggestion being considered.

All communication goes through sales and they have very very limited understanding of English. They don't understand about 90% of the emails I send and each time I send an email it takes at least two days or more before I receive the first misunderstood response. I do get immediate response they have received my email.

Even if you sacrifice some features, my recommendation is to purchase a unit that has a US distributor and use whatever payment method that will protect you for the longest period of time. I would try to find an Android based unit or one that mirrors your phone so you can add apps even if those currently available don't interest you. That will give you the benefit of being able to add some of quickly evolving new technology for some protection from obsolescence.

The following is the Seicane auto response email:
Dear Customer
Thank you for your message!
Your email has been received, but due to offwork time, we are not able to reply you until tomorrow when we get back to work. But please do not worry, we will reply you within 24 hours through Monday to Friday(Saturday and Sunday emails will be replied at Monday) hope you can understand and forgive the inconvenience!
Regards!
Seicane CS Team

That's exactly the situation I'm most afraid of. Changing a extremely reliable system for a buggy one... just for the benefit of a rear camera and eventually phone mirroring.



By the way - how is the microphone in this units compared to the BMW stock microphone. I really like the quality ot the stock one, people on the other side can barely hear that you are in the car driving....

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by whizzkid23

That's exactly the situation I'm most afraid of. Changing a extremely reliable system for a buggy one... just for the benefit of a rear camera and eventually phone mirroring.



By the way - how is the microphone in this units compared to the BMW stock microphone. I really like the quality ot the stock one, people on the other side can barely hear that you are in the car driving....

The microphone on all of the android systems isn't the best in the world. I recommend using an external microphone for the best quality. You can even use the factory microphone via splicing.

As for buggy. I haven't run across a buggy Seicane so far. Some users have had issues figuring out how to use some of the features possibly. But with anything electronic you can get a bad one.

[kmm111]

Originally Posted by whizzkid23

That's exactly the situation I'm most afraid of. Changing a extremely reliable system for a buggy one... just for the benefit of a rear camera and eventually phone mirroring.



By the way - how is the microphone in this units compared to the BMW stock microphone. I really like the quality ot the stock one, people on the other side can barely hear that you are in the car driving....

I have two seicane’s both have worked flawlessly, thankfully! If I had to do it again, I’d probably buy an Xtron, same exact concept & all, just a better distributor & customer service from what I’ve read on the Facebook group page. On both units the built in microphone stinks, but like crows said there is a port for an external hook up. You could easily splice in the oe mic or ad a complete new one. I understand what your saying about the stock unit & it’s reliability & I raise you touch screen & better sound quality. At the price point of the seicane unit if it dies, I’ll probably buy another one or an Xtrons depending on how long it goes before dying.

[kmm111]

https://xtrons.com/

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by whizzkid23

That's exactly the situation I'm most afraid of. Changing a extremely reliable system for a buggy one... just for the benefit of a rear camera and eventually phone mirroring.



By the way - how is the microphone in this units compared to the BMW stock microphone. I really like the quality ot the stock one, people on the other side can barely hear that you are in the car driving....

Microphone must be fine. No one has commented one way or the other.

[kmm111]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Microphone must be fine. No one has commented one way or the other.

Actually, I posted earlier both of the internal mics on my 2 units do not work well at all. I just don’t use the feature as I rarely make phone calls while driving.

[kmm111]

Originally Posted by mr_robot

They now have a thing called Z-Box that you can hook up your iphone and get Apple Car Play.

both of mine work well, even on iOS 12

[xskizzx]

Just wanted to throw my 2c here. Bought an Eonon GA9166a and had it installed. What I'm noticing is that the external microphone sucks (placed on the driver A pillar). Wife said it's low and has a low drone feedback. FM tuning got better after changing to America2 setting here in SCAL, but AM has a constant crackle that I don't remember with stock. Also I'm finding the volume is too loud for the current speakers. I'm on 5-6 on the volume knob and I'm finding it extremely loud early on. Lastly, couldn't find GPS card in the box so I'm waiting on Eonon to assist.

All that being said. I'm happy for now with the features. Being able to run a separate nav will be good in the future, but at least my bluetooth is fine by running the volume at about 70%

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by xskizzx

Lastly, couldn't find GPS card in the box so I'm waiting on Eonon to assist.

The Eonon in our E46 didn't come with a GPS card. If you ordered and paid for one, you might get help. Otherwise, the customer have to make these.

But I wouldn't go through the trouble. Load Waze and never look back. The best GPS and traffic guidance platform out there in my experience.