My 2005 X5 Aftermarket Radio Install Thread

[UPGrayd]

It might be a long shot, It may not...does anyone have any information regarding retaining the factory reverse camera and making it work with an aftermarket head unit such as an xtrons etc?

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by UPGrayd

It might be a long shot, It may not...does anyone have any information regarding retaining the factory reverse camera and making it work with an aftermarket head unit such as an xtrons etc?

Pretty sure the "factory" reverse camera was only ever available as a dealer-fitted option - so it's likely to be pretty much like any aftermarket item.

You really only need the video feed from the camera - the headunit will switch to this rear camera video feed when you select reverse (via CANbus commmand). You may want to look into how the camera is powered, although there's probably no reason why it can't be powered continuously.

[UPGrayd]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Pretty sure the "factory" reverse camera was only ever available as a dealer-fitted option - so it's likely to be pretty much like any aftermarket item.

You really only need the video feed from the camera - the headunit will switch to this rear camera video feed when you select reverse (via CANbus commmand). You may want to look into how the camera is powered, although there's probably no reason why it can't be powered continuously.

I did a bit of googling around to try and figure it out as it went into a very factory looking box in the back and then into the rest of the loom though the back...Turns out the camera runs though the factory tv box...instantly thrown into the too hard basket when I already had an aftermarket camera in my hands and wiring run through the car for it.

[stevlover]

Hello All
I have been scouring these forums and have not been able to find a definitive answer to my question I have a 2005 BMW X5 3.0 Im at the point now where I am ready to install one of these android units I plan on using an aftermarket amp and speakers completely bypassing the factory amp the only thing I need to know is it possible to get all the I-BUS functions to work while completely bypassing the factory amp

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by stevlover

Hello All
I have been scouring these forums and have not been able to find a definitive answer to my question I have a 2005 BMW X5 3.0 Im at the point now where I am ready to install one of these android units I plan on using an aftermarket amp and speakers completely bypassing the factory amp the only thing I need to know is it possible to get all the I-BUS functions to work while completely bypassing the factory amp

Yes. At least all of them except the DSP functions.

[stevlover]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Yes. At least all of them except the DSP functions.

so to be clear the DSP is only for the BMW audio function correct?

[ClassyJalopy]

Originally Posted by stevlover

Hello All
I have been scouring these forums and have not been able to find a definitive answer to my question I have a 2005 BMW X5 3.0 Im at the point now where I am ready to install one of these android units I plan on using an aftermarket amp and speakers completely bypassing the factory amp the only thing I need to know is it possible to get all the I-BUS functions to work while completely bypassing the factory amp

I am attempting exactly as you described. Did you have much success?
PO had cut off the factory harness plug for my radio and the DSP amp etc were full of water when I got her - so a clean slate start!

I have found constant +12v and ground wire so far. Next to find ACC on and an illumination wire.

[3liter6]

Mostly installed an Avant 4 today, the audio is weird and I'm guessing it's an Android/iBus issue rather than on specific to the AVINs. Basically I have two sets of volumes. The steering wheel controls do a master volume, while the knob on the radio controls controls a small window within that range.

Is this something other's have experienced? Is there any way to make it so the steering wheel controls and the radio knob are synced, and they both control the full range of sound?

2001 3.0 with DSP/NAV

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by 3liter6

Mostly installed an Avant 4 today, the audio is weird and I'm guessing it's an Android/iBus issue rather than on specific to the AVINs. Basically I have two sets of volumes. The steering wheel controls do a master volume, while the knob on the radio controls controls a small window within that range.

Is this something other's have experienced? Is there any way to make it so the steering wheel controls and the radio knob are synced, and they both control the full range of sound?

2001 3.0 with DSP/NAV

I don't have DSP, so maybe that is different, but my Avin volume adjustments from the steering wheel are larger and less refined that those with the volume knob. The knob will control the full range it just does it with finer control.

[3liter6]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

I don't have DSP, so maybe that is different, but my Avin volume adjustments from the steering wheel are larger and less refined that those with the volume knob. The knob will control the full range it just does it with finer control.

Thanks! I figured it out. I had the iBus installed and didn't realize the other canbus module (marked E46/E39) also needed to be installed. With that and one other setting I got the volume controls to sync up.

I then realized that alert sounds (beeping of volume knob, etc) were coming out of both speakers but audio out of only the drivers side and if I moved the iBus DSP balance to the right the audio would completely cut out. I found there's another app which also controls balance and fader and it was set all the way to drivers side from the factory.