Alpine solution to upgrading audio

[X5Flyboy]

After being frustrated in upgrading my electronics (pre-late 2003 builds are persona-non-grata as far as BMW is concerned) Bluetooth? Sirius? HDradio? Mark IV Nav? Fagettaboutit!

A local car audio store suggested Alpine's solution to enhance your existing audio system while also allowing you to run the latest audio features off their unit. For those of us with nav, it will display the options on our screen. We would have to use a remote vs the touch screen Alpine normally would install. But it would allow us to get a simpler, smoother Bluetooth, Sirius/XM, iPod connection. I will admit, it doesn't appear to be an inexpensive soltion, but it will allow us to keep up with the latest technology.

Sorry, BSW, but the DICE Silverline is still giving me fits. I have no control over what's being played, or if it plays at all. Maybe y'all can figure it out when I send it back to you. Because right now I'm seriously thinking of using this Alpine solution.

Anyone else looked into this? Will keep y'all posted if I decide on the install.

[Major04]

I am in the same boat as you. I am tired of seeing my friends having the latest gagets. I am taking out the 16:9 Nav system and replacing it with a Kenwood DNX8120 or installing a car computer (Azentek Atlas CPC-1000).

[X5Dude]

I thought about going with the Alpine solution. It has a really cool looking remote, and allows for relatively smooth integration. Kenwood offers a similar solution in their car portals (KOS-V500 and KOS-V1000). I had made a decision to go with the Kenwood V1000 because the alpine modules are on back order and from what I hear, Kenwood has a better Bluetooth unit - made by Parrot.

At the last minute I decided to go with the Kenwood DNX8120. This meand yanking my factory nav, losing a CD changer and losing some on screen car computer displays. But - it also meant getting an improved navi system (minue the computer sounding voice), excellent bluetooth integration, ipod integration, USB based audio, DVD player, customizable unit wall papers and room to easily add other functionality.

I am not too happy yet with the generic faceplate used for my install. The factory unit was wider than the DNX8120 so I have about 1.5 inches of blank plastic on either side. (If anyone has a solution for this, I'd love to hear it). All in all I have to say that I am happy and living in the current times in terms of car technology.

I wonder if I should sell some of my factory equipment to offset the costs???

[ZsX5o3]

thats the only thing stopping me from doing one of those systems, the deng HU space. That thing takes up nearly a foot! I haven't seen any aftermarket HU's that look fitting after replacing it. A 7" HU leaves you with 2.5" of space on each side. I think there are some bezels at www.mybimmer.net if you don't see X5 displayed then email him. I think I'm going to wait until I can find some kind of wide screen model -__^

[X5Flyboy]

I, too, would like a larger screen if I'm going to yank out the old nav - I read/heard there was a larger trucker's screen somewhere for 18-wheel remodels? - though I don't know which brand - I have to do more research quickly if I want to get something done before the start of my summer trip to Oregon in three weeks

[X5Dude]

I looked at the bezels at mybimmer.net and read the discussion about how they are priced etc. I like the fact that it is flush with the rest of the dash, but there is still a lot of dead space around the HU.

I really like the bezel in this thread: http://www.xoutpost.com/bsws-mobile-e...ed-system.html

My installer told me e could wrap my current bezel in matching leather, but I think I will try to make something on my own. I can always go back to him if I fail.

[ljnlaw]

I am in the same boat as you. I am tired of seeing my friends having the latest gagets. I am taking out the 16:9 Nav system and replacing it with a Kenwood DNX8120 or installing a car computer (Azentek Atlas CPC-1000).

Wow Major, that Azentek is NO JOKE...I guess the days of hooking your laptop into your car are over.

[X5Flyboy]

Well, my Alpine dealer is checking out which display will fit in the dash - looks like a new amp, touch screen, dvd Nav, HD radio, Sirius, & iPod - I may want to try the DIY Bluetooth install I already bought as I'd prefer using the steering wheel to call & hangup - will give details when I finalize what's getting done

[ZsX5o3]

I thought you were integrating with the stock nav? If you do go touch screen, someone offered me the idea of adding another seperate screen to the right of a standard 7", to fill the space. That might be interesting, perhaps designated to a back up camera, or just some sort of ambience. I searched long and hard for a screen wider than 7", but came up null. This was the most exciting find for me check this sucker out. Seems a perfect fit but I don't think it's applicable for what I was trying to accomplish (carPC). Man that would have been good. I've decided to just go the stock nav route (currently non-dsp radio) and hopefully integrate some cool stuff into it. Really interested to see how your project works out.

[X5Flyboy]

yeah, keeping the OEM Nav was the original idea - but looking into replacing the whole system - most likely a custom bezel to fit an Alpine IVA-W205 with a PDX-5 amp to power the speakers & sub - then replace the nav with either the compact PMD-B200 Blackbird (which is portable and fits inside the IVA-W205) or the bigger NVE-N872A dvd nav which mounts in the trunk - then add on the HD radio, Sirius, & iPod - also looking into a rearview camera

I figure that if I'm going to upgrade, I might as well upgrade everything - I just put another 3000+ miles on it over an 11-day trip and next month I head back east (2500+ miles) - I spend too much time in my X5 to go without decent tunes