Cheap android unit?

Thatwhiteguy · #1 10-26-2021, 12:38 PM

Hello everyone. 04 3.0i e53. My stock head unit works fine but I want to upgrade to something a little better. I see all the e53 Android head units on AliExpress and Amazon but I don’t know how good they are. Anyone have a link to a good one? Trying to keep the price to 100-150. Thanks

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crystalworks · #2 10-26-2021, 12:55 PM

Not for that price. No. A good android unit is going to cost you at least $300-350.

Purplecty · #3 10-26-2021, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Not for that price. No. A good android unit is going to cost you at least $300-350.

I want to change mine from PO installed outdated aftermarket android unit to even more outdated original navi setup...

Effduration · #4 10-26-2021, 01:35 PM

I have had good luck with the Xtrons unit for E53...I have bought two..I prefer the smaller screen with knobs over the larger 10 inch touchscreen, although the latter looks pretty good.

My needs are limited just bluetooth music.

Please note if your car originally had NAV, the install of the Android is a bit of a bear with running wires from back battery area to front...

Purplecty · #5 10-26-2021, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Effduration

I have had good luck with the Xtrons unit for E53...I have bought two..I prefer the smaller screen with knobs over the larger 10 inch touchscreen, although the latter looks pretty good.

My needs are limited just bluetooth music.

Please note if your car originally had NAV, the install of the Android is a bit of a bear with running wires from back battery area to front...

Whoever Installed the unit in mine hacked all the wiring in the rear

workingonit · #6 10-26-2021, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplecty

I want to change mine from PO installed outdated aftermarket android unit to even more outdated original navi setup...

I've got a similar situation; I'd like to either have the original equipment (whatever still works) or a good Android unit, but I'm waiting to see what PO#2 can come up with.

When we were discussing the cheap non-Android head unit he installed, thinking it was what I'd want in it when we exchanged vehicles (PO#2 bought the X5 expressly to swap for my drag-race Chevelle). PO #2 said he thought the original radio/MID (Navi? too??) was still operable when he first got the X5 (but had been already pulled-out by PO #1, and left sitting in the trunk). He thinks he stored it deep in the rear of his "permanent rental storage unit", since the owner before him had bought, but not yet installed a Blaupunkt 660 HU.

I had commented on how I liked CD, USB, Touchscreen, etc., so he installed the HU with those features. I should've not said anything, as I would rather have the factory-installed equipment.

It took me several conversations to find out if the original equipment is still available; PO#2 said it is, but I haven't seen it yet, so I'm leaving my inexpensive unit in the dash, for now.

Fifty150hs · #7 10-26-2021, 04:35 PM

I have an Avin Avant 4. I highly recommend. I don't think you'll find anything worthwhile for $100. Maybe someone wants to sell a used Avin because they're upgrading? Might be worth checking eBay.

Fifty150hs · #8 10-26-2021, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by workingonit

I've got a similar situation; I'd like to either have the original equipment (whatever still works) or a good Android unit, but I'm waiting to see what PO#2 can come up with.

When we were discussing the cheap non-Android head unit he installed, thinking it was what I'd want in it when we exchanged vehicles (PO#2 bought the X5 expressly to swap for my drag-race Chevelle). PO #2 said he thought the original radio/MID (Navi? too??) was still operable when he first got the X5 (but had been already pulled-out by PO #1, and left sitting in the trunk). He thinks he stored it deep in the rear of his "permanent rental storage unit", since the owner before him had bought, but not yet installed a Blaupunkt 660 HU.

I had commented on how I liked CD, USB, Touchscreen, etc., so he installed the HU with those features. I should've not said anything, as I would rather have the factory-installed equipment.

It took me several conversations to find out if the original equipment is still available; PO#2 said it is, but I haven't seen it yet, so I'm leaving my inexpensive unit in the dash, for now.

If it had MID, it didn't have Nav. You will need a lot to install a factory nav unit just to have ancient technology. Get an android head unit. You'll be glad you did.

c-bass · #9 10-26-2021, 05:38 PM

The cheap Android head units are slow when it comes to navigation and intensive apps, but for streaming bluetooth you'll be fine.

Having said that I would rather use an AUX cord than a cheap Android because you WILL want to use the capabilities of it since it's staring you in the face...and you'll probably be disappointed.

Attacking Mid · #10 10-26-2021, 08:03 PM

From my research, the cheap units are more trouble than they're worth. I was going to do this upgrade 3 years ago when I bought my E53, but since I'm old and mostly listen to AM talk radio, I decided it wasn't worth it. Now that my 25 y.o. son is going to drive it for the foreseeable future, I decided to bite the bullet and bring the E53 into 2021. I figure it will help resale in a couple years anyway. Here's what I went with...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...772e4c4dMHK9MF

My X5 had NAV in the boot, so I also had to buy the long connection cable, long antenna cable, and the antenna adapter cable. Currently all on their way from Hong Kong. This should make a nice unit for my son to be able to enjoy and I should recoup at least most of my investment on resale.

AM.

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