Xtrons HU install/upgrade thread

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

I just noticed we have very similar E70 35d's also. Mine's an 03/10 build 2010, so it has CIC which was the main reason I was originally only considering LCI's. I was thrilled to stumble upon this late build pre-LCI and learn that BMW started putting CIC into the later build 2010's. I'm really liking the E70 AND the diesel engine a lot. Man did they change a LOT from the E53!

AM.

No kidding. Going from the E53 to the E70 (down right now due to needing DDE programming) feels like entering a space ship. But then going from the E53 to the wife's F15 feels like going into an alien craft.

I think ours has CIC as well as opposed to the CCC. I have an Avin setup ready to be installed into it but with it being down haven't found the motivation.

I want to sell the E70 while used car prices are crazy but the dumb thing roasted the trans (e clutch bushing failure). After replacing the trans and having it drive AMAZING it decided the DEF fluid was incorrect, did the countdown, and then locked the DDE for no start. Only problem with the diesels is the emissions crap... but I refuse to drive a BMW that sounds like a mid 2000's super duty pickup. Or smell like one.

[Attacking Mid]

Must give a shout-out to Xtrons. I searched everywhere in the unit's menus and online for how to set my AM radio to US increments of 10 kHz to no avail. Frustrated, I sent an email to Xtrons Customer Service before signing off for bed last night. This morning, I had an email waiting for me with explicit step-by-step instructions how to change the setting. Very happy with the head unit and the support so far.

A few notes about questions I had going into this whole process (Thanks to all the previous posters on this and other installation threads. Your info was very helpful) ...

My E53 had NAV, but no DSP, so I needed to order the EXL007 long cable to plug into the back, along with the ICE/ACS/ANT001 long antenna cable. The long antenna cable substitutes for the ISOFZ Fakra converter (that wasn't clear to me), so I didn't need to order that. Fortunately, it wasn't very expensive.

I added the backup camera suggested by X5only in this thread. I'm happy with it, but that location made for a somewhat difficult installation. Getting the wire through the rubber accordion boot at the top right of the hatch was VERY tight. I had to snake a wire coat hanger through it first, then tape the camera wire to the hanger for about 8" (I tried less the first time, but it didn't hold) and slowly pull the wire back through while manipulating the accordion boot as best I could. The headunit automatically switches to the backup camera feed when the vehicle is put in reverse, so no additional trigger wire is required. You do need 12V power for the camera, however.
Fortunately the HU has a plain pink wire labeled, "camera" that supplies 12V only when in reverse. There's a red wire integrated into the camera's long cable that is the power source wire for the camera, so it was super easy to just solder the pink and red together and it was done. The black and red power pigtails at the rear can just be tucked away and not used. Some people have been trying to tap into their reverse lights in the back, but my unit was way simpler.

I ran the (included) auxiliary mic up the right A-pillar and across the roof under the headliner so the mic could be located in the O/H console. It looks a little funny having the mic stick out like that, but.... function over fashion I guess. Still better than having the mic and wire clipped to the dash somewhere. This was not as difficult to accomplish as I feared.

I ran all the wiring along the passenger side of the vehicle - just tucked under the carpet. If you push the wires under there an inch or two, there's actually a plastic trough they can easily sit in most of the way along the doors. I had plenty of length in all the cables for this path.

AM.

[twinspool]

Has anyone upgraded their Dynavin unit to this? I recently picked up an Xtrons to replaced the Dynavin unit that went to pasture and I was hoping I could potentially repurpose some of the connections used....

anyone have any luck?

Update: Just installed the Xtrons unit with full success... Pretty much reversed engineered how the old unit was installed and was able to reuse my backup camera connections...

[timmyc]

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

Must give a shout-out to Xtrons. I searched everywhere in the unit's menus and online for how to set my AM radio to US increments of 10 kHz to no avail. Frustrated, I sent an email to Xtrons Customer Service before signing off for bed last night. This morning, I had an email waiting for me with explicit step-by-step instructions how to change the setting. Very happy with the head unit and the support so far.

A few notes about questions I had going into this whole process (Thanks to all the previous posters on this and other installation threads. Your info was very helpful) ...

My E53 had NAV, but no DSP, so I needed to order the EXL007 long cable to plug into the back, along with the ICE/ACS/ANT001 long antenna cable. The long antenna cable substitutes for the ISOFZ Fakra converter (that wasn't clear to me), so I didn't need to order that. Fortunately, it wasn't very expensive.

I added the backup camera suggested by X5only in this thread. I'm happy with it, but that location made for a somewhat difficult installation. Getting the wire through the rubber accordion boot at the top right of the hatch was VERY tight. I had to snake a wire coat hanger through it first, then tape the camera wire to the hanger for about 8" (I tried less the first time, but it didn't hold) and slowly pull the wire back through while manipulating the accordion boot as best I could. The headunit automatically switches to the backup camera feed when the vehicle is put in reverse, so no additional trigger wire is required. You do need 12V power for the camera, however.
Fortunately the HU has a plain pink wire labeled, "camera" that supplies 12V only when in reverse. There's a red wire integrated into the camera's long cable that is the power source wire for the camera, so it was super easy to just solder the pink and red together and it was done. The black and red power pigtails at the rear can just be tucked away and not used. Some people have been trying to tap into their reverse lights in the back, but my unit was way simpler.

I ran the (included) auxiliary mic up the right A-pillar and across the roof under the headliner so the mic could be located in the O/H console. It looks a little funny having the mic stick out like that, but.... function over fashion I guess. Still better than having the mic and wire clipped to the dash somewhere. This was not as difficult to accomplish as I feared.

I ran all the wiring along the passenger side of the vehicle - just tucked under the carpet. If you push the wires under there an inch or two, there's actually a plastic trough they can easily sit in most of the way along the doors. I had plenty of length in all the cables for this path.

AM.

Attachment 81214

Attachment 81215

Nice work, AM!

Have you had any issues with the IBus at start up? It tends to load about 70% of the time, then once it does, it takes over the main IU.

How is the glare with the more upright screen?

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by timmyc

Have you had any issues with the IBus at start up? It tends to load about 70% of the time, then once it does, it takes over the main IU.

Mine never boots up automagically even though I believe I set it to. Have to manually start it every time. I'll have to look into it more... been so busy with other things to mess around with the stereo.

[Attacking Mid]

Thanks! I literally haven't driven the vehicle since installation, so I can't offer any feedback. Recovering from a ridiculously nasty cold, so hoping to get back to working on it soon. I haven't installed the IBUS app - still deciding if it's necessary.

AM.

[twinspool]

How are you guys mounting these 10.25" screens in the dash? The xtron unit just came with two flimsy brackets and nothing to guide you on how to install..

any pics, guide is appreciated!!!

[Attacking Mid]

Originally Posted by twinspool

How are you guys mounting these 10.25" screens in the dash? The xtron unit just came with two flimsy brackets and nothing to guide you on how to install..

any pics, guide is appreciated!!!

I don't know if I did it right, but the unit fit pretty snuggly into the opening and the two upper corner screw holes lined up with the OE holes, so I only used those to hold the unit in place. I figured those brackets must have been for a different application (vehicles with just basic business radio?).

Maybe someone else has better input? I agree... it seems inadequate/wrong.

AM.

[twinspool]

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

I don't know if I did it right, but the unit fit pretty snuggly into the opening and the two upper corner screw holes lined up with the OE holes, so I only used those to hold the unit in place. I figured those brackets must have been for a different application (vehicles with just basic business radio?).

Maybe someone else has better input? I agree... it seems inadequate/wrong.

AM.

guess there is my issue...
my X5 didn't have NAV from factory and the PO installed a Dynavin unit using a combo of the stock bracket and the Dyanvin supplied one so I didn't have any holes that lined up.

[Attacking Mid]

You might poke around here: http://bbs.xtrons.com/ - Car DVD BBS,Xtrons BBS,Car DVD Player BBS,Car Entertainment BBS

Alternatively, I had quick response when I emailed [email protected] . You might want to include a picture of your dash and include details like your HU's model number. etc.

AM.