Replace x5 head unit with alpine media station or keep head unit and add flip up lcd?

[tom-tom]

Hi,

I have decided that i want to replace the head unit in my 2004 x5 with an alpine mobile media station http://www.alpine.com.au/products/pr...sp?modelID=369

I am slightly hesitant to remove it though because i have the factory bluetooth system installed which works great.

I thought maybe i could remove the business cd unit from behind the flip up door, and install an alpine unit similar to the one above but with a slide out lcd that could be concealed when not in use, keeping the original look.

I saw this photo which is very over the top but seems to be slightly on the right track.

http://www.caraudiomag.com/v_feature.../photo_03.html

My idea would then be to have everything connected to the alpine unit, but then have some sort of audio detection circuit that flicked the amps over to the original head unit if i decided to use that or if the phone rang.


My questions really are:

Has any one attempted anything similar?

Can i have the steering wheel controls connected to the alpine without disconnecting them from the stock unit to still be able to use phone answer keys?

Is this just crazy and should i get over my fears and just tear out the whole factory system.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Cheers

[BlackE32_SilverE53]

if you want steering wheel controls to work, you cannot have the BMW bluetooth system working. Also in order to keep the MID in and add a single din deck you will have to do some heavy modification similar to the X5 you saw on the Car Audio page. With the MID installed you would have to cut into the vent area for there to be enough space to install the deck. But with the deck you are looking at (W505) if you are getting the GPS for it also you will have bluetooth intergrated in the system. I currently have the Alpine IVA-D901 installed but just purchased the IVA-W205 because I wanted a double din deck. I wanted the W505 also but it would not work with my surround sound processor.

But I love the sound of my Alpine system and suggest that it would be much cheaper to get the sound quality and options you want by removing the BMW equip. The only problem is you will have to get a lot of customization work done depending onwhich system you add. for the single din decks they have bezels for the X5 but I do not like where they position the deck so I made a custom bezel for my X, and for the double din deck there is no bezel made for the X so I will have to make one for that one also...

Here are some pics of my current setup:

[sleepless]

That's one of the best aftermarket install ...... nice work on the trims.....

[tom-tom]

Thanks BlackE32_SilverE53

So you know i have seen a double din bezel for the x5 at http://www.mybimmer.net/

Out of interest, what features other than the bluetooth do you loose by removing the mid?

[BlackE32_SilverE53]

Originally Posted by tom-tom

Thanks BlackE32_SilverE53

So you know i have seen a double din bezel for the x5 at http://www.mybimmer.net/

Out of interest, what features other than the bluetooth do you loose by removing the mid?

The drive computer and clock.... The bluetooth and clock, you can easily get back with added features, but if you ever use your drive computer for long trips, it will be gone. I attempted to add a MID back to my system, but I threw out my original DSP one and connected a non-DSP MID with no added bonus.

[BlackE32_SilverE53]

Originally Posted by sleepless

That's one of the best aftermarket install ...... nice work on the trims.....

Thanks!!!! Once I finish with the new deck we have to see if that turns out better

[BlackE32_SilverE53]

Originally Posted by tom-tom

Thanks BlackE32_SilverE53

So you know i have seen a double din bezel for the x5 at http://www.mybimmer.net/

Now that is a nice bezel, a little plain, i like the ones with the indention it it better..... I wander if the Alpine decks will work with this? I noticed they have a special section for the Alpine decks but no X5 in that section

[tom-tom]

Yeah your right there doesn't seem to be an alpine specific bezel for the x5, but i don't think there alpine bezel would work with the latest 7" media manager anyway because it has to flip down.

I can live with no trip computer, i still keep fuel consumption right?

[BlackE32_SilverE53]

I have that still along with miles to empty and a few other choices using steering wheel controller.

Originally Posted by tom-tom

Yeah your right there doesn't seem to be an alpine specific bezel for the x5, but i don't think there alpine bezel would work with the latest 7" media manager anyway because it has to flip down.

I can live with no trip computer, i still keep fuel consumption right?

[BlackE32_SilverE53]

Originally Posted by tom-tom

Thanks BlackE32_SilverE53

So you know i have seen a double din bezel for the x5 at http://www.mybimmer.net/

WOW!!! Just noticed they wanted $250 for that bezel..... Forget that!!! I will be making my own....