There are pros and cons with each approach. You can't beat the look and integration of the OEM system (especially the 16:9 unit) but the downside is the cost and major effort required to do a complete retrofit. With an aftermarket system you can usually get it at a lower price point and the nav functionality is frequently a bit better, but the downside is it looks aftermarket (re: not nearly as good), the overall electronic integration isn't nearly as good, and you run the risk of losing the ability to control the OBD computer if you remove the factory stereo unit.

Weighing everything, I think I would go the retrofit route if it were me. But that's probably because of all of the "toys" I have in my nav system (TV, DVD, Bluetooth, IceLink, nav) that I now couldn't live without.

Funny thing is, when I was first looking for an X5 the nav system wasn't even on my "like to have" list, let alone the "must have list". It just happened to be on the vehicle I bought. Now, I couldn't live without it and wouldn't buy another unless it was there.

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The Pioneer looks nice, Alpine does one too. The BMW one is very outdated in my opinion, most newer gps will give you trafic information in real time which if you live in a big city is a great feature... Have you considered mobil gps as well such as the TomTom GO, the Magellan Roadmate or the Garmin StreetPilot, they cost about half much, have all the new features(trafic info, bluetooth, etc...) and you can take them from one car to another...

There was a thread today where the a guy from NJ was looking for volunteers to test fit a new plate that he had designed to get the Pioneer to fit perfectly in the dash. I was interested as you can find that unit on the web for a $1K and I can can run it will my DVD changer in the back of the headrests.

I have the guy's email at work, but I cannot log in on weekends. On Monday I will show you what he was talking about...it was a nice clean set up for the dash...I think one would lose steering wheel volume control with this set up too. I am not sure can anyone confirm?

See info at http://www.xoutpost.com/showthread.php?t=4416

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Thanks for the replies. I was going to look into getting an OEM unit from a salvaged X5. I would hate to loose steering wheel controls, i just got my Ice-Link tweaked and hope to add Sat and be able to control both through the wheel. I did see his bezels, nice work, i'm curious if there is a mounting bracket that can be purchased that will allow you to remove the existing bracket and easily mount a unit like Pioneer's AVIC-D1. If i go the pioneer route, does anyone know if i'll loose the steering wheel control and text read out options?

Thanks, Tim

You will lose the steering wheel buttons, however someone told me recently there is something for about $300 US that can get those controls to work, thats of course without installation. Secondly, I purchased a AVIC-D1, and im assuring you that you wont be happy with the look of it. Sure it might have more functions (However, no DVD playback in the D1, not even with the parking brake on) but I would suggest a BMW system in there, im totally regretting it right now.

Thanks zypher911. I think i might look for a salvaged system from a wrecked X5.

You can regain the use of the steering wheel controls on almost any car and almost any aftermarket radio using the PAC SWI-X.


Rich

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