Stereo Replacement Question
 

Hey,

A few years ago I paid for a new double DIN unit (Parrot Asteroid) to be "professionally" fitted in my E53.

I'm now replacing that unit with a Kenwood DNX9180DABS unit and found out they simply glued the old Parrot unit and facia in place, there is no proper mounting or fitting kit so the unit was just stuck in place.

I'm wanting to fit this thing properly and not just glue it in, however I can't find any fitting kits anywhere for a regular sized double DIN unit.
I have a facia like this but that provides no way to mount it on the car, it's just a surround to fill the gap.

How are regular double DIN units normally mounted in E53s? The only thing I can find is a tray like this but I'd have to wait for it to arrive from Germany and I'm not sure that would solve the issue either.

Thanks in advance

Seems like there are a few double-DIN mounting frames available for the e53 X5.

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1c4gER...Panel-Dash.jpg

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Doub...812176047.html

The OEM mounts on cars with no NAV system can take a single-DIN with no modification and I think the factory-fitted NAV cars can too (not sure) but I think the only way to mount a double-DIN is to hack up the existing plastic frame and fit one of these kits.

Most folk don't use single-DIN or double-DIN stereos in the e53 X5 - besides looking very out-of-place (my subjective view!) they lack many of the OEM-functions replacements that are provided by the Android aftermarket solutions.

Here's a DIY on the fitting.

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...tegration.html

I personally think it's a mortal sin to put any DIN unit in an e53, but each to there own! ;)

*edit* - just checked out the Kenwood unit you are fitting - not bad and it won't look too out-of-place in an e53 dash. Good call! :thumbup:

Go with the kit from Germany - I used this a few years ago. Worked VERY well. The fascia cover wasn't to my standard, I bought one made of a very dense plastic: one seller in New Jersey and similar / twin / etc. in Germany.