Hope this one arrives :)

As soon as it does I will download the software and install it on the stereo. Its supposed to identify it and show some info from it if it is working correctly and has to be registered to fully function. No sense in buying the software till I know it works :)

While waiting on the obc stuff I figured I would do a mini review of how the radio itself is working out.

So far I love it. Its very reliable and functions perfectly.

As for any cons its more software related than anything. The music player which Im sure I can find something on the playstore to replace it with sounds perfect but has an 2 annoying issues.

One isn't its fault. The steering wheel controls I think act up when I first crank up and go to moving the car. It basically acts like the music player is in scan mode by changing songs until you push one of the steering wheel buttons. It doesn't do this all the time and it did it with the factory radio so its not the new radios fault for sure.

The second one is the music players issue. If you have it in normal play mode and go to the next song and want to go back to the previous song by choosing the down button on the steering wheel or the back button on the radio it works. But if you have it on random playing it randomly goes to a new song with either forward or back on the steering wheel controls or the radio controls.

Its not this units fault as all my android radios do this. I guess you need to make a random or shuffled playlist of your music to solve this. I tried figuring out how to make a playlist which I think did but I couldn't figure out how to get the music player to find and load the playlist.

That's really the only gripe I have with it is the random song issue. But again its a problem I have on my other android radios and I WILL solve this one day when I have the time.

Sound is amazing. I couldn't believe how much better it sounds than the factory nav. On my e46 for instance I have the harmon kardon system and it had the business cd player. Sound quality went down on it. The factory business cd has much better frequency response than the aftermarket radio and a much higher max volume.

But the X5 is the other way around. Much clearer sound with better frequency response and high volume levels.

The bass part is interesting. The speakers are filtered to cut out very low frequency bass. Im not sure if its the amp or filter/chokes on the speakers themselves but it definitely is cutting out around 70 hz and below. As long as your not playing music that has super deep lows you don't even notice it. Its not distortion its definitely filtered. The radio may do it too since it has a sub output.

This filtering should be perfect when I add the jl audio stealth sub in the passenger side rear compartment later. It will allow for killer bass with no mid and high distortion. Can't wait to see how it plays out.

I would definitely buy this unit again.

The software works well. Shows the OBC functions and allows you to reset the fuel consumption and several other settings. The DSP integration also works. You can set the DSP effects and turn the DSP amp up/down. You do have to "hot wire" the DSP amp to keep it from turning off. I've been playing with it the last few days and have been pleased. I wish the labels would be miles/gallons, but that's a small complaint.

Not having OBC support was one reason I ditched my last android hu.

If your IBUS interface is working, it'll show coolant temp and mileage without registering.

Hey Crowz!

I've been following this thread from the beginning, and I have an '05 3.0 with no NAV and no bluetooth module, so this upgrade is something I definitely need!

I have been looking at the Seicane website you have listed along with the model you recommend. I just have a few questions for you.

While reading the thread, I read that you did not like the rear view camera that came with the head unit. The rear view camera you ended up using, is it one that goes into the license plate light socket?

Would it be possible for you to post the links all together of what you have purchased to make everything work seamlessly?

Looking at the Seicane website, should I just order the unit itself and not add on the rear view camera? How about the OBD2 bluetooth module?

TIA

DONT get their camera. It wont fit at all.

The camera I went with I bought on amazon and it is mounted on the rear hatch lid edge. I don't like it that much since the field of view is to narrow. I will be replacing it soon with a different one. I will link the one I go with in the end in this thread when I find one I like.

The Bluetooth module I use is one I already had so I didn't order it from them.

I will definitely do a complete list of all parts as one post at the end of this when I get done with it completely.

I will try to post a summary so far of what I have when I wake up a little later today or tonight Ive been up all night watching out for a fire that's going on at the road right now to make sure it doesn't get to my house. Sad fire department that wont just put it out they let the forestry service play with a dozer all night doing a fire break or some something in place of just putting it out.

Seems my next purchase will be this to protect my house since the volunteer bunch doesn't deem us worth protecting out this way.

Amazing what you can get for $3600 these days.

A high volume pump, a generator and a fire hose might be easier to get in the garage.

Sounds good, much appreciated!

I will go ahead and purchase the head unit from Seicane at least since it is on sale, and then will patiently wait for your links for the rear view camera setup!

Thanks again and I hope those flames don't get too close!

I could of put it out with the garden hose if I had one that was 1/4 mile long. But they just let it burn.

When I meet the ups guy to get my wireless charger that's coming in today I will shoot some pics of it while down at the end of the driveway. I should of shot some while it was going good this morning and still dark outside but I never thought of it. More worried about it spreading.

I guess what I really want is that water cannon that's on that truck. That would defend the house :)

Don't forget to do a bunch of pics when you install yours since it will be a bit different install wise than mine since I had the factory nav.

Seems my county has an arsonist I didn't know about.

My daughter found this on a facebook page that's run in the county here.

On top of all that fun they couldn't be bothered to put out the fire but they took the time to kill my mailbox :(