Easiest android headunit conversion for Navigation and DSP

[seanbreaux]

Hi,

I have a 2003 e53 4.4i with Navigation and DSP. My goal is to remove the factory head unit and replace with an android head unit with the least amount of cost and work possible. I want to keep my factory DSP. Is there any way to do this without running a cable from the front to the trunk and just straight swap the headunit? I was reading that the IBUS app may allow for this but I want to know all that I need to buy to convert and have the below functionality.

I want to have:

- Ability to control all car functionality that I currently can with the old headunit
- Wireless Carplay
- Backup Camera
- Bluetooth
- Use factory DSP


Here seems to be some mention of it.
https://wiki.ibus-app.de/index.php?t...g_my_DSP%3F%3F

Thanks in advance

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by seanbreaux

... Is there any way to do this without running a cable from the front to the trunk and just straight swap the headunit? I was reading that the IBUS app may allow for this but I want to know all that I need to buy to convert and have the below functionality. ...

You will need to run the audio extender cable to the back - no way around this (if you want to keep the DSP amp and don't want to re-wire all the audio wiring in the car).

You will also (still) need the Resler iBus interface and iBus app to enable the factory DSP amp.

[Factory6speed]

I can give you a light recommendation for the Kenwood DMX709S

Light recommendation. I've only owned this thing for 2 weeks. I've driven it for about 60 seconds. But I have fiddled with the radio a fair bit in the garage. The things pretty cool really. Sound is pretty good, I believe he actually wired it correctly, which is commendable. There's a little microphone up on top of the a pillar I could probably do without. Fitment in the dash looks really good, in a way it almost looks like it belongs in the car. My preference would still just be the OEM unit, but I'm kind of stoked on this thing actually. The seller just put this in a couple months ago, so I would slightly guess that he did exactly this research and went with that unit. No camera or anything and I don't know what DSP is so I can't help you there.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Factory6speed

I can give you a light recommendation for the Kenwood DMX709S

Light recommendation. I've only owned this thing for 2 weeks. I've driven it for about 60 seconds. But I have fiddled with the radio a fair bit in the garage. The things pretty cool really. Sound is pretty good, I believe he actually wired it correctly, which is commendable. There's a little microphone up on top of the a pillar I could probably do without. Fitment in the dash looks really good, in a way it almost looks like it belongs in the car. My preference would still just be the OEM unit, but I'm kind of stoked on this thing actually. The seller just put this in a couple months ago, so I would slightly guess that he did exactly this research and went with that unit. No camera or anything and I don't know what DSP is so I can't help you there.

I would recommend AGAINST the Kenwood.

I cannot speak to the sound quality etc. but adding a standard double DIN unit like the Kenwood will cost you access to many of the car's features, like even being able to set the clock, for instance. And unlocking the immobilizer if a lock code is accidentally set (as can happen with a flat battery).

Unless you have some way to keep the old factory Nav or MID unit hooked up, replacing the factory system with a non-Android system is going to be a problem going forward.

[Factory6speed]

Actually nevermind, I don't know what this thing is, the for sale ad said it was a Kenwood, and looks similar to that on Google images but it's not. It doesn't have a little Kenwood logo on the bottom center which they all do. I don't know what this thing is but it's an Android just like my phone. It has the notification menu bar thing on the top. I don't know if the nav and alarm and everything works yet. The car beeps a lot.

Whatever this thing is I think it's kind of good. Not a Kenwood sorry for confusion. Probably don't buy a Kenwood as corrected above thank you

[wpoll]

That sure is an Android head unit of some sort. The display is identical to the unit I installed in my wife's 2011 Tiguan (after removing the crappy double-DIN unit that was installed).

[Homerlovesbeer]

Originally Posted by wpoll

You will also (still) need the Resler iBus interface and iBus app to enable the factory DSP amp.

Actually that's not true....the Xtrons unit I installed worked perfectly without the Resler Ibus USB being installed.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Homerlovesbeer

Actually that's not true....the Xtrons unit I installed worked perfectly without the Resler Ibus USB being installed.

It varies depending on the exact audio system fitted from the factory - and I read that the full factory DSP amp needs a software command to activate it with an after-market head unit. A few folk have tried to hard wire the factory DSP amp to run without much success it seems.

Don't get mixed up with the DSP function within the android head units - that's NOT the DSP I was referring to.

Do you have the full factory DSP system installed?

[Homerlovesbeer]

I have a 4.8is with the full factory DSP Nav unit installed with CD changer and TV module. All I did was run the correct Xtrons cable from the Head Unit to the connection in the rear battery compartment and had perfect working audio.

I believe the Xtrons unit turns on the DSP amp

This is my unit
https://xtrons.com.au/bmw-x5-e53-and...l-4g-ix1253bhl

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Homerlovesbeer

I have a 4.8is with the full factory DSP Nav unit installed with CD changer and TV module. All I did was run the correct Xtrons cable from the Head Unit to the connection in the rear battery compartment and had perfect working audio.

I believe the Xtrons unit turns on the DSP amp

This is my unit
https://xtrons.com.au/bmw-x5-e53-and...l-4g-ix1253bhl

But I see you do have the iBus app - so perhaps that is enabling the DSP amp?

The Resler USB interface is solely to allow the android head unit to communicate with the car's data bus - if the Xtrons can do that itself, then no Resler needed, just the iBus app (with DSP license).

Is the CD Changer the factoy unit, in the boot (trunk)?

Nice looking setup, by the way..