Stereo upgrade help
 

Hi guys!

I have a 2006 4.8IS and I'm looking to upgrade my stereo, partly as the stock one is starting to have issues (dying pixels, sometimes taking ages to turn on) but mainly to have something with bluetooth (and ideally carplay).

I have been doing some research, but seem to have gotten lost on what the options are. Anyone who has done this that could point me in the right direction?

Thanks.

Lots of folks on here have had good luck with Avin and Eonon, there are numerous others as well, just search xoutpost for any of the actual radio names or "aftermarket radio", "radio upgrade", etc and you will get a wealth of information as well of a wealth of installation assistance also. Bunch of threads on here with lots of pics



Avin: https://avinusa.com/
Eonon: https://www.eonon.com/Default.aspx


Obviously I'm not affiliated with either, just giving you a couple of links to browse :thumbup:


Check your X for options, lots of radios are "plug and play" if you know what you have in the truck (factory amp, dsp, etc, etc) and order it accordingly. Ok, probably shouldn't say "lots", but there are a handful.

Let us know what you have now (nav, DSP, etc). It will bring better advice. Personally I went with the Avin Avant-4 with the iBus adapter for DSP, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto and have been very happy with it.

Thanks for the info! Those look like they're made specific for certain models, which sounds great. I started out looking at the usual like Pioneer and those looked like they would be quite difficult to get in there.

According to my VIN readout I have the following:

S677A HiFi System Professional DSP
S609A Navigationssystem Professional

How does this change the possibility of what can be connected? I am wanting to lose the stock nav as I only use Waze anyways, which is a big part in wanting to upgrade to such a stereo.

I must say I really like the look of the Avant-4, looks identical to the stock one!

One question, when upgrading to such stereos, do you lose the internal information you get in the stock one? Like fuel consumption and things like that.

Since you have DSP you will need the iBus adapter anyway and it also will provide all the time settings, consumptions and trip meters of the factory system. It will also provide some minor coding features like DRL, one touch turn signals and cornering lights, etc. You will need an Android based system and the only system I know that is prewired for the iBus adapter is the Avin Avant-4.

What exactly do you mean by the minor coding features?

Have been reading more up on it and it is starting to look like a great option. Is the system responsive? How would you rate the installation? Is it more or less plug and play or is there lots of tinkering to be done?

The iBus adapter is a must for DSP or it will not send the messages to the DSP amp to work so you will have no sound without it or some extensive wiring will be required. Coding things like I listed above are only a few of the options available.

Having the factory navigation takes more installation since you will need to run a harness from the front to the rear of the X5 where all your equipment is now. The navigation screen up front is simply a display and everything happens in the rear under the rear spare tire panel. It will take a few hours but there are instructional videos on the web that provide a understanding of how to do it. Honestly you will have 5 to 8 hours on installation but so worth it in the end.

Here is a list of functionality for the iBus app

• App languages: German, English, Bulgarian, French, Greek, Croatian, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Slovenian, Spanish, Trad. Chinese, Czech, Turkish, Hungarian
• Automatic setting of clock and date at every start
• Display / reset BC data
• Show PDC visualization in 5 levels with color change + distance
• Selection of the PDC image (BMW E38, E39 (Sedan, Touring), E46 (Sedan, Touring, Coupé), E53 and Range Rover L332)
• Display of speed, speed, mileage, coolant temperature, oil temperature, tank content and on-board voltage
• Display of GPS information (address, speed, altitude or compass direction)
• Switch parking heater / ventilation on / off
• Set / activate timers 1 and 2
• Fold the mirror in / out
• Different layouts for different screen resolutions
• Settings can be saved
• Blinking (2 - 7x adjustable)
• Cornering lights via fog lights (activation via signal from the turn signals, not via steering wheel position)
• Daytime running lights via fog lights, parking lights and / or ambient lights from ignition level 1 or 2
• Automatic locking after xx km / h
• Automatic unlocking at ignition level 0 and / or handbrake applied
• Automatic screen change to PDC and back
• Switch to recirculated air with reverse gear engaged
• App starts automatically every time you boot up
• App automatically connects to the interface when connected
• Switch between low and high BC screen possible
• Display of vehicle information
• Curb automatic with reverse gear engaged (travel time of the mirror adjustable)
• Coding LCM, PDC and DSP
• VIN online check for activation of all app functions (required once)
• Individual welcome message when you start the app, also with gong or arrows
• "Panic" button for immediate resetting of all US codes and daytime running lights
• Graphic for showing which doors are currently open (E39 Sedan / Touring)
• Display of BC values ​​in the station wagon (speed, coolant temperature, oil temperature or voltage)
• Update function (automatic check at start + manually in the drawer)
• The bonnet, tailgate and sunroof open are displayed
• Automatic driver mirror
• Automatic mirror folding in / out with radio start / ignition off
• Light control with storable sequence (6 memories)
• Sequence from memory 1 can be played back by pressing the flasher or the vehicle image twice
• DSP control (license required) with memory selection, equalizer, room / reverb as well as balance, fader and treble, bass adjustment
• Coming- / Leaving Home (radio must be connected to consumer switch-off), light sequence can be saved via light controls (memory 2-6) [can sometimes not work!]
• Change the languages ​​in the app
• Change the units displayed in the app
• Optional OBD screen for displaying data from the "Deep OBD" app
• Show the PDC distance in the station wagon
• Daily mileage function with reset
• Coolant and oil temperature can be displayed in color
• Display multiple GPS data at the same time
• Display when the engine is warm
• Performance display via GPS
• Filling bars for various displays
• Text size adjustable
• Colors can be changed via themes
• Many individual adaptations for on-board computers
• OEM Prog function for adapting the displayed data in the combination
• Expert mode to display the I-bus telegrams and power calculation
• MID emulation for querying the on-board computer data and programming the auxiliary ventilation / heating
• Notification with app icon in the status bar when the app is connected to the interface
• Display of music broadcasts as pop-up and / or in the IKE, radio frequency and current title in the media player for PX3 / PX5 models, track title and artist from Poweramp and Spotify, station and title from ZOU-DAB + app
• App is opened when the PDC is active and then closed again
• Control of media / caller volume (tablet / smartphone only) and the tracks in the current player via steering wheel buttons
• Display oil temperature via eKombi module or Deep OBD (only M52TU / M54 / S54) in the on-board computer
• Select times when Coming / Leaving Home is active
• Window can be closed at adjustable speed
• BFD can be activated via rear fog lamp and turn signal if it is coded in the station wagon
• Show oil level
• OEM code function to lock the vehicle
• Display the current title on the BC screen
• OEM CD changer control (connection via AV-IN, CD change possible via buttons 1-6) requires adjustment of the cabling
• PDC popup can be shown over other apps and RFK
• Sport mode with analog displays and 3 different designs
• Quick start bar with up to 10 icons

Wow thanks for all the info!

I think I'm sold on this option, price seems quite reasonable as well compared to other options I saw.

Does this installation for the navigation need to be done even if I plan on using the Maps app that is on there or for example connect my phone through Carplay? I have honestly never used the navigation in my X5 as I much prefer the other options.

And I think the last question for now, I think I saw the stereo has a mic on the front, how well does this work for calls?

I have been reading a few more threads on this topic and want to see if my understanding is correct:

If I want to connect an Android stereo to my DSP equipped X5, I will need the iBus connector and license. But, if I am NOT planning on hooking up the stock navigation to the new stereo (since from what I saw they all come with their own GPS module and I will be using other apps anyway), will I be able to hook it up without the 6m harness going into the truck? As in, is it a plug-and-play in the front?

If you have the factory navigation (that you are removing), you will need to run the harness to the rear to connect to the wiring needed. The only plug and play up front is for non factory navigation equipped cars.

Alright, I did misunderstand then! Looks like I have my work cutout for me then.

Also a question for you or anyone else, any experience with installing a wireless phone charging pad somewhere? I currently have a cradle, but I think that will be unnecessary with the new stereo.

Probably already answered but why not get the one you have refreshed?

Update:

Help!

After a lot of research, I ended up going for an Xtrons model, which the very kind and helpful customer service assured would work with my model with a separate cable. It arrived about 2 weeks ago, but I haven't had time to look into it until today. I decided to follow the installation of Crowz, which was very helpful, but upon connecting every cable as is indicated, the stereo does not turn on. Nothing, not even a blink.

I tried to troubleshoot every connection, but could not come up with anything. Any ideas or suggestions or similar experiences?

please make sure you solder the connections with the ibus or it wont send signal. that was with my case i have an eonon ga9166a head unit with ibus
i had busines radio with cd player with dsp


take a look at what i have
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3XOwNBQTUc


https://shop.ibus-app.de/en/shop/

you will need usb device app and lic

Just for future reference for people who don't know, to make an aftermarket radio work with the DSP amp, all you need to do is code the DSP amp to mid_basis instead of bord_monitor. It will no longer shut off the sound after a few seconds. Also, you can wire up a DSP MID (bought from a salvage yard or ebay) to ibus, power and ground and be able to set the DSP settings, then disconnect it once set. Use the high powered front left and right speaker outputs to the DSP amp inputs from the radio module and fix the audio level on the head unit, then use the steering wheel controls to control volume.

This works great in my 4.8is with a Pioneer AVIC-6200NEX head unit. It should also allow any of the non-DSP, non-Android head units to work with DSP amps (Dynavin and other ones that fit the space, but don't have a "DSP" module). It also works with my NBT system in both of my e39s with DSP.

Certainaly a lot of debate on this one. My X5 came with a mid, not nav and the DSP module was set to mid_basis and once I installed the Avin Avant-4 with the iBus adapter before adding the app, the sound was dead. Once the app was added to the Android system and sent the DSP message, the sound was there.

Well, are you sure it was mid_basis and not front_mid? They are different. I know that it works well on both my NBT systems and my Pioneer aftermarket system with that being the only change. Might need to do it on the cluster as well. Been a while and I haven't checked to see if I did it in the cluster as well or not.

Also, just noticed you're in Huntersville. You're less than 10 miles from me. I'm in North Charlotte off of Sunset Rd and I77.

Almost certain it was mid_basis but I will check next time I plug in NCS Expert. I looked for a saved DSP trace file but must have not saved it on my laptop. :dunno:

Wow, we are close. I'm in Birkdale off exit 25. :thumbup:

Thanks for all the responses guys!

I have no idea what happened, after being demotivated last night I went to my car this morning to start over and all of a sudden it booted up without issues. Works amazingly well and it does look quite a bit more modern now. Only downside, getting that long cable into the trunk was a bit of a pain, but totally worth it.

Now onto other quarantine fixes :rolleyes:

I just remembered how I was able to make it work with my AVIC, LOL. I left the stock radio module hooked up, but disconnected the speaker wires from it. Basically, I'm bypassing the audio connection and leaving the radio module to simply turn on the DSP amp. Can't believe I totally forgot about that. Now, in my NBT equipped e39s, I didn't do that, but I think the NBT adapter does whatever it needs to do on the Ibus to turn on the amp, so I didn't need to.

So much I don't know about the DSP with aftermarket interface and what messages should be sent down the I-bus to keep the DSP system happy. It has been one of those debates that has gone on for years and we still don't have a solid answer. Early upgrades were DSP amp rewiring or leaving certain modules tucked away to have activity on the Ibus.

One tried and true solution in the last couple of years for just sending the Ibus messages has been the I-bus adapter and I-bus app running on an Android OS.

As far as I know, this has always worked on the Avin/Seicane/Eonon etc Android based infotainment center. Regardless of the DSP deature, the ability to reset all mpg and mph averages, trip meters, set time, etc. makes it almost a necessity for the E53 upgrades. :thumbup:

Sorry to rehash an older thread of mine, but I recently just ordered a backup camera to go along with my new stereo (stupid me for not doing it right away). I am, despite searching online for a bit, unsure how to get it connected. I am clear about the video cable, that should connect directly at the stereo up front, but where is the recommended place to connect the power cable?

Edit:

As a clarification, I am talking about the cable on the bottom right. The video cable also has a red cable coming out of it on each end, is this meant to be used for the power?
https://www.navi4all.com/wp-content/...am90b003-5.jpg

First thing when it arrives is make sure that fits your X5 licence plate light receptacle. Many horror stories about poor fitment. Secondly will need to power that camera (with LEDS) to reverse power only as the LED lights will light up when powered up. Also remember that that camera/licence plate uses a couple of LED lights for the license plate illumination so if you still have an incandescent bulb on the left side plate light it will look odd.

The red wire running along the RCA cable can be used to run a power. I wired mine to one of the power on wires from my Avin to power my camera all the time as my system is also a front/rear dash cam recorder. I just grounded the ground to the rear panel fuse box mount.

I have DSP. The Seicane unit I purchased a couple of years ago had a DSP option cable and a backup camera option. Even though their customer service was non existent, based on the experience of others, the connectivity was the determining factor to purchase the Seicane unit. I still had a few small issues that I think it was Crystalworks or maybe it was Overboost helped me with but none with DSP or the backup camera. Not pitching Seicane Just an FYI for others looking to upgrade. Customers for e53 upgrades have to be declining but other brands may offer the same option.

It was recommended to me by someone with an E53 as well, but he had it installed at a shop so has no idea what went down. I ordered an LED for the other side as well, no worries.

My big issue now, I have all the cables where I need them, I just can’t figure out a way to remove the thing that holds the license plate bulb. I feel like if I pry too hard it will break, which I definitely want to avoid.

My stereo has a specific cable for the reverse camera, I assume this is for the power?

If the connector on you headunit is a simple RCA jack then it does not include 12V to power the camera. You will need to provide 12V and GND. I looked for a user manual for your specific model but couldn't find one easily. It looks like you have power and ground wires on the lens (maybe for licence plate illumination) and a red connector with also power and ground for the camera?

Please excuse the bad photos, I don’t have my phone on me.

These are all the connectors I have. The camera has the video and power connectors, the long 5m video cable has also a red one sticking out of it at both ends and then my stereo has the mini harness or whatever it would be called with the video in cable and a cable labeled reverse (didn’t get a response from XTRONS regarding this).

Also, attached a photo of the part I am struggling with. I see absolutely no way to get it out without it breaking.

Update:

So after almost losing my nerves trying to fit the camera my friend recommended me, I gave up and ordered the type I saw most people on here recommend. Attached pics, looks like this one will be a lot less painful to get working.

I am, however, slightly struggling with the connection. This time it is different compared to my first one. On the one side I have again the video connector with a red cable, which I am assuming should be attached to the stereo reverse trigger. But this time on the other end I have a connector that goes into the camera and a red and black cable going out of it. I am assuming this would be power and grounding, but I have no idea where it would be best to connect them. Suggestions?

I had Crowz page with this guide bookmarked, but the site doesn‘t seem to be working.

The Binder connector with red/black wires is for powering up your camera. You don not need the small red wire on the RCA cable at all for the camera to function. You could use the red wire if you wanted to run power from the front to the rear but it is not needed.

Jus thought I would share an update, managed to get it connected and installed and works like a charm now! Thanks for all the great advice guys, now onto the next one [emoji23]


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Can someone elaborate on this option?

"OEM CD changer control (connection via AV-IN, CD change possible via buttons 1-6) requires adjustment of the cabling"

I have had the avin avant 4 + ibus app on my zhp for a year or so now and wasn't aware of this option. Are there instructions or anything on how to get that working?

I'm not really going to use it but Im one of those people that likes OEM ish options. I'm trying to procure as many as i can so I was pretty upset about not having it work. But now i'm seeig maybe it will work.

Thoughts? Anyone tried it? I didn't see any info on the installation PDF

https://download.speedy-pics.de/uplo..._interface.pdf

I don't think so, I have not done it myself, but there is an Australian guy on YouTube who is very knowledgeable about these units, and what. we see in the front of the car is really just the display. The main part of the unit, the tuner, is in the back by the battery. He said, if I understood correctly, that you have to have the 6 foot to plug the unit into the tuner in back.

check. this out and see if. I understood it correctly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CehmtjAtLaI

Not always - in some cases (although seemingly not in the USA) where there is no factory NAV (only a MID unit) the entire system is in the dash - like in my car. ;)