Complete AVIC- D1 install....NAV, XM, & DVD.
 

Ok gang...I am going to this Sat have the Pioneer Avic-D1 double din with NAV and XM Radio installed in my X5. Rich Silva custom made the face plate that will house the Avic in where the Business Cd player and factory were located.


I can tell you this already....it is going to look incredible!!!! After doing a test fit I also have to say that I really do not feel at though I am going to sacrifice any thing by not staying OEM.

The Avic has a very non descript unobtrusive face combined with Rich's quality custom made bezel plate I am giddy with anticipation. I am forgoing many other mods that I want right now to get the interior sound the way that I want it.

The other reason I went this route was due in part to the six disk DVD changer also from Pioneer that I have in the rear that I am going to link to the head unit and be able to control from the touch screen. No remote! So I will be able to by pass the safety measure and be able to run the two head rest and the dash unit all from the front seat.

So I will have XM, NAV, a six disk Dvd changer and three screens. I am going to take pics along the way and give an up date on cost.

When removing the head unit oem stereo it runs data to the amp thus powering the speakers...no head unit...no sound....solution 4 channel amp to run the speakers. That is adding $350 to the install. Other than that..things are goin ok......more to follow...



Also combined with the

Pioneer GEX-P10XMT XM Satellite Radio/Nav Traffic Tuner $133.25 EBAY

Pioneer AVIC-D1 In Dash Double Din Navigation $1018.85 EBay

PAC SWI-PS Pioneer Sony Steering Wheel Interface AVICN2- D1 $54.95 EBAY

Installation by professional…(long time friend owns his own place) $200.00

4 channel amp to power speakers from double din....$350.00

$50.00 for RCA Cables

The grand total of everything intalled.......$1982.05

That is a lot of MOD money but every penny I have gotten back already!!!!!!!! This thing ROCKS.

Bezel by Rich Silva…..( sorry I got the guinea pig price, please consult with Rich)

Six disk Dvd/CD and two head rest monitors already in vehicle.

You are going to love it. That is one cool player and nav unit.

Wow, should be pretty sweet. My brother has the AVIC-N1 in his Qx4, and it definitely blows away any OEM nav unit. You must most some pictures when they install is finished!

That faceplate looks awesome. Most aftermarket jobs I've seen completely wreck the look of the interior, but that plate looks very clean. Make sure you post pics after... :thumbup:

Thank you! I can't wait to see pics of it installed! :D
If anyone wants one, email me or you can order on my site:
[email protected]
http://www.mybimmer.net

-Rich

Update on install...
 

see above...

Just got your email Rick. Check your mail or gimme a call on my cell.



Rich

How much is it? nevermind i see it now... duh... :wow:

How hard is this to do on an X5 if you just want the Nav/DVD player with no other monitors or DVD changer?
Seems a bit easier than a OEM retrofet?

Thanks, excellent post

Update
 

Ok...so we did a test fit and a power up...the factory speakers sound at least 30% better off of this unit with the four channel amp...CRisp. Clear. Loud. the NAV IS AWeSOME....DVD AWESOME....Three screens playing video AWESOME!!!:flex: :flex: :flex: :flex: :flex:

the install has been a bit slower due in part that this was the first X5 that the installer had done....his experience was with 5 series mostly and was surprized how detailed and "tight" the X5 was in comparision.

Still having issues keeping the computer going. I have seen other post that discuss this problem, but of course when I have to deal with it I cannot find them, any way...we got the business CD out and the OEM head unit....the harness plugged right into the doubledin using a aftermarket adapter...that leaves only the data wire left.

:dunno: We were going to mount under the seat and then feed the wire but on plugging it in the OEm head unit we got nothing...then we tried to plug into the back of the biz CD and there is an issue with the number of prongs....what am I missing...Please advise...I would like to keep this functionality.

It's much easier than the OEM retrofit. :thumbup:



-Rich

Actually looks better then OEM......If you can Post installation details like preserving MID

XM/DVD/NAV...mine!!! I have it all now!!! muaaaagh..mauaaaaagh...mauggghhhhhhh!
 

PICs to follow.....

Everything works great....ALSO...I figured out the the problem...there was no problem...all that had to be done was to reset the dash computer, I still have consumption, tank range, and average miles!!!!!! With the PAC for the steering wheel I actually have more functionality than before...I can control source, vol, everything all from the wheel~!!!...with the two trick bypasses I can run the NAV without stopping and view DVD picture...I can even go a step further and view dvd and play CD/NAV/radio while the movie plays.....I in the end I ended up sacrificing not one thing over OEM.

IF you want NAV/XM/DVD playback...get this unit.....SAVE $3K...in fact I think it might even be better than OEM....BEtter sound...picture. functions....I can go on and on but I will let the pics do the talking in about a half hour!


:thumbup:

:wow: :beerchug: :thumbup:


-Rich

New PICS of the finished deal are up
 

Please do not drool on the key board!!!

Thank you sir for allowing me the opportunity to...
 

PIMP MY RIDE!!!!:excited: :excited: :excited: :genius: :flex: :dancing:

Very nice setup! :2thumbs:

http://www.mybimmer.net/x5doubledintrim.htm

:2thumbs:

nice
 

I wish there was someone in Oregon that could this for me :wow:

Rick,

That looks pretty damn cool. Good choice...You should have made the face plate chrome..:stickpoke

Ha Ha Ha Phil!
 

Used the NAV for the first time today.....AWESOME! PEOPLE if you want NAV/XM BUY THIS UNIT>>>FORGET OEM!

You Can Do This....
 

Order the Bezel from Rich and each item that I grabbed on ebay from a reputable seller on the site and take the stuff to any decent installer, oh and don't forget an amp and four crossovers if you have premium sound you wont be able to use yours....throw the installer a bone and buy it from him/her to make it worth thier while....you can certainly do this.

OK, I'm not totally clear, did you have the non-DSP system or the DSP system?

And if you connected the speakers to a new amp, did your installer use passive crossover parts on the new speakers?

To DSP or not to DSP...
 

I had DSP and yes we used four passive cross overs...they are mounted under the amp in the side compartment.

does the "in dash" avic d1 plays regular dvd video?

oh and... how about a tv tuner option?

YOu can play dvd but only...
 

through the changer that you can control via touch screen...Pioneer did that so you would add a changer to it....hopefully thiers....and yes you can add TV, Rear Camera....both are avail options...I will add the rear camera....as far as TV...prob not.

Hi,
I'm planning on doing this, but I have a few questions:
Is these esential the three major items I have to buy the GEX-P10XMT, AVIC-D1, and PAC SWI-PS?

Do I still have to pay for XM service with the GEX unit? What does the PAC unit actually do?

It depends how much install costs at Car TOYS.

re:
 

Did you have to scrap the stock amp, on board radio, and bmw audio harness?(the one that plugs into the oem radio) Did you need any crossovers for the amp? What do you mean that you needed to reset the computer, did the installer need an obd 2 to do this? Do I have to have a dvd changer to get dvd in motion or can you just ground the ebrake wire like in the N1? I am seriously considering this awesome mod

The AVIC-D1 is all you need.
You still have to pay for XM.
The PAC lets you use your steering wheel buttons with the AVIC-D1.


-Rich

Definitely worth the $10 per month.:thumbup:

Hey Rich, what about a little indentation, like the E46 piece? I love the trim piece, but I feel it looks too plain.

What do you think of this?..

:iagree: - those were my exact thoughts. I like how your photoshop version looks much better.

:iagree: How about the matching wood trim color.

Can't wait to see the install pics.

Thanks, would I need to buy the amps and crossovers? I dont have DSP.

I am seriously considering doing this mod and am mapping everything out. You took the words out of my thoughts. I was JUST thinking again this AM if it had the line to go with the contour of the interior line. I line the NON wood black plastic, it looks good, but an indentation would be PERFECT! :thumbup:

-MSW

Benathon,
Unless I am mistaken, if you do NOT have DSP, then you can hook he head unit directly up to the speakers with no extra amps. It's the DSP version that has amps that need the head unit.

-Sterling

Thanks, that's what I thought. Car Toys said they could build a trim piece identical for about $40 dollars. I'm interested in seeing what it would look like compared to what these members have. I have seen Car Toys work and it looks excellent.

couple of questions, alright, so the bmw business cd is taken out, so im assuming the dvd player in the navi can play cds also. what about am/fm and more importantly, the oem allows usage of bluetooth and lets you dial on it. do these options come on the system that you have built?

im thinking about doing what you did, except i need the following
am/fm
bluetooth
cd player

how did you get the lcd headrests? did you do it yourself, and also , how are they connected and waht are they connected to? im assuming via just regular video in and if so, does that mean that when the navi is displaying nav, thats what comes up on the lcds also?

also, i talked to gerber, they said that they could do a fake wood bezel with a flip up cover to protect the navi from theft for about 100-150. i think i would def go that route

thanks for the help

$250 for the bezel.....

that's ridiculous.

You should try making one before you post ignorant comments. :rolleyes:



-Rich

Well, I have to say I can understand and appreciate good craftsmanship on a custom product, but I do have to respectfully raise the same question as Drex. I am fine with paying a little extra for custom work, but that is 1/4 of the price of the Avic unit itself, for a plastic housing. Someone else posted on here that they could have it built for $40... now I think that is probably not a real option, but it seems as if the part, with no special contour lines, would be less than a quarter of a grand.

I am certainly not slamming your product or your business so no need to get personal, but as a potential customer, I do feel that deal could be sweeter. Is there a reason that it is so expensive? That adds a good bit to the final install price... :dunno:

Thanks for the info

-Sterling

Rich-

Sorry to hear you find my response ignorant.






Thanks for driving me to make one for myself. :)


Sterling: I appreciate your tact above. I wasn't trying to be tactful, or tactless, just stating my opinion. Here, on X5world, we allow that. We also allow people to link to their sites and businesses even though they are not sponsors.:rolleyes:

I wasn't getting personal. It just annoys me when people make ignorant comments. Until you've tried making something custom like this, you have no basis for making comments like his.
If you think this is expensive, do you have ANY idea how much it costs BMW to make your car?? It's a LOT less then you think.
If I sell them for much less, it just won't be worth my time and hard work to make them.


-Rich

It was and good luck.

Thanks for the well wishes. :thumbup:

Reminds me of my economics classes where we reviewed the principle of the "demand curve". At this price point you may sell one or two and, with a 80% profit margin, make $200 or $400 in profit. Alternately, if you priced them at $150 and sold 20 then your profit would be $2000.

As the proprietor, you have the luxury of pricing this as you see fit. Best of luck.

When I am deciding on a particular vendor or store to use for a product/service, I tend to eliminate those who strike me as rude or disagreeable.

The difference here is that I have to make these and there has to be a certain amount of profit to justify all the hours it takes me to make them. Sure if I sold them for less I'd sell more but I'd also be busting my ass making them and it wouldn't be worth it.
Would you wouldn't take a job that was long hours and hard work for little money?


Rich

As one of the proprietors and administrators of this web site, I guess that you could say that I already do ;)

Ok every one...take a step back...
 

First I would like to say that I love this site because everyone contributes and we all act like the mature inteligent people we are, well except on Freaky Fri, but I digress.....anywho...

Rich on the surface it does seem a bit priced on the high side...my installer said he could have made one out of fiberglass for about $100....but he also said it would not have been as an exact a fit and would not have been as clean on the surface...so as with any thing you pay a premium for a certain feel and look and I was happy to pay that once I saw your product in my dash....I think what you should tell everyone here is how you go about doing what you do and the effort that is involved so that your hard work and craftsmanship can be appreciated and a direct coralation of that work is how you arrive at your pricing....I mean you do not need to divulge your trade secrets but at least give all the potential customers an idea of all that in takes to make this bezel from scratch....

Any to everybody else, if you have a product that you think is priced fairly in realtion to your effort to bring a custom piece to the market place you might initially react a bit defensive as well. I mean people pay big bucks for a custom piece of jewlery, how is this different? There is no mass produce face plate for the X5, Rich makes his by hand out of resin fron scratch. I have interacted with Rich on several occasions and have nothing but nice things to say about him and our transaction so before this blows completely out of proportion and Rich joins Vendetta on the heap lets give him a bit of understanding and wiggle room here....I am on this board more than I should be and I enjoy everything that everyone adds....so with that I am going to go and hug a tree and "can't we just get along?"

I may have missed this....but with this aftermarket install, can you still use the steering wheel controls for volume, etc to control the head unit..?

Yep...that is what the PAC SWX is for
 

I actually have control of Vol, source, and mute.

Thanks for all your hard work....I may have missed this but can
you change radio stations from the steering wheel? Allan

Roc3B, I can understand you telling us to take a step back on this. I can also understand you sticking up for the bezel maker and your good customer service experience. However, I also understand that you, for your willingness to stick your neck out there and try it first, you also got your bezel for free. Adding an additional $300 to your install price may have made you ask the same questions. I understand your analogy, but this ain't no custom jewelry. :dunno: The point is, there is always a limit to whether a price for a product is "worth it", no matter how much time and money is spent on making it. As an IT consultant who builds, implements and manages servers and networks as well as deals with clients, I know this balance all too well. Personally, As a consumer, I would like to see this bezel price be $75 less. I just think it would be more of a "worth it" for the consumer, and would sell many more while not coming off as "If you want it that bad, then pay x and like it" While this may be the case, it doesn't give me the consumer the warm fuzzy feeling, and that feeling makes me become a repeat buyer 95% of the time. It's the difference between knowing a craft, and knowing the consumer and running a successful business. Calling people ignorant rarely gains repeat business, no matter who is in the right. OK, I'm done with that.

On another note, I hate to flame those that come on to a board looking for information, but PLEASE people, READ the thread before posting the same questions over and over!! Roc3b has answered SEVERAL times that he can use his steering wheel controls for EVERYTHING, radio, DVD, GPS, everything. Read the thread again, then GOOGLE the product for more detailed info.

OK Roc3b, I took care of the last question for you, so now you have to answer one for me. In your earlier post, you were trying to figure out the issue with the dash computer (mileage, fuel consumption, etc) and then said "There was no problem, just had to reset the dash computer." When you said you reset the dash computer, did you still have the old radio unit connected below the seat (with that one wire) to get the dash computer to work, or did you reset the dash computer with just the AVIC connected, and not the old unit? Just want to be clear on this, it's the last issue I am unclear on. I already know that since my computer is NON-DSP, I will be able to get up and running with no external amp...

Thanks again for sticking your neck out there, and job WELL DONE!!

-Sterling

As far as the dash pc...the only thing I cannot do is reset the clock...everything else works fine with out the radio hooked up under the seat. There is a clock on the D1 and I just use that now...temp, dist, MPH...all work fine.

I have to bump this...

How do you reset the computer? Is there a guide floating around on the net somewhere? Also, could you plug the data cable into the HU display unit and set clock and then unplug it?

Just hold the reset button in on the stick itself...ummm yeah you could to that just by popping out the temp controls...plug it in and reset no problem...I would not recommend selling the OEM radio after installing this so that you can put everything back in in the event that you end up selling the SAV and you can put it in the next vehicle...it is that good.

I'll be doing this to my X within th enext few weeks, and be giving you a call rich. I did my own for my M3..I had at least 30 hrs into that thing...came out great, but 200 bux is easier! I'll be out at CES next week, and will be looking at the new Pioneer unit..internal Hard Drive like the Eclipse unit, and rumor has it both SIrius and XM..only thing keeping me from going with it....I'm a sirius fan. That screen looks pretty tiny though, hopefully the new one is larger.

:bump: Rich, please let me know if you can do this, :)

No, sorry. The bezel does follow the lines and shape of the dash perfectly. But it's smooth just just the oem nav.


Rich

Moderator - This thread should be moved to the Stereo section and be a sticky!

Seeking fine points on Avic install options
 

Okay...
Now that the turmoil over bezels appears to have died down (thanks to all), I'd like to return to some earlier questions that appear to have gone generally unanswered. I'm also interested in this install, and my needs are exactly like Vitriol's here, with the addition of Traffic Updates (for which Avic has part #GEX-P10XMT) as well as parking video/cams. Bluetooth remains a high priority for me, since I use two BT phones routinely while driving.
This kit would be a nice built-in trade-up from the TomTomGo 700 I have now (which also has Nav, Traffic Updates, and BT Handsfree but is external).
PS- I've tried my best to read all 7 pages thus far- Please forgive if I missed something & just point me in the right direction. Thx.

I decided to abandon this idea because there was no way to integrate the bluetooth and what not. What happens is that anything that is factory connected to the stereo no longer works, ie bluetooth, cd changer.

In light of that, I decided to start a Car PC project taht will have a lcd and a slot load dvd-rom replacing the business cd. it would then support bluetooth, wifi, and so on, the possibilities are endless and it also just taps into the radio's aux input. so if this is something your interested in, i can send you the schematics, you can also refer to my other thread. search for carpc.

if you need any more help, pm me.

cheers!

Hey, thanks Vitriol, for the quick reply!
But it's just so frustrating that the OEM system is so limited without tons of time, cash & headaches for a retrofit, yet the after-market route loses crucial integration. :( How annoying it that?!

What's the point of building tech into the cars if it's not going to be "universal" in fit & function. Forgive the rant, but personally I don't want to spend eons of spare time outfitting a carpc on a car that should be easier to outfit with simpler options. Just my .02.

I'll see how others fare with after-market units (like perhaps the new Avic coming next month, supposedly, with BT handsfree) before weighing that option. However, thanks for the inbox offer!! Good luck & perhaps your pix & tips will change my mind!! :p

If you can wait a bit the next gen Avic will have blue tooth campatibility. It is out on the web on google Pioneer.

yea, i was eyeing that new one also. its the avic-z1, and it seems to have a internal ~20gb hd for your storage, but you will still be losing all the obc display and controls on yourr radio.

I am not sure how many times I have to point this out....when the radio is changed the digital read out on the dash still works....mph avg...range....trip...it all works...the only thing that you have to do is account for the time change...so when it comes time to fall back or spring a head you pop out the heating/ac face plate...plug in the radio...adjust the time...unplug and reinstall the heating/ac plate...that is it..you lose nothing over OEM.

And that's not even a big deal cause all aftermarkets have a clock display on them...so just switch the display on the instrument cluster to something other than the clock :)

Thanks Roc,
Yes, sometimes review is helpful :) !
Also, for those who don't want to lose the OEM display, perhaps a single-DIN aftermarket unit would be better for them. I'll await the z1 to see how it pans out in reviews, options, integration, etc.

Anyone have the Performance Monitors on the Avic units working on an X5?
Curious if it lends any insight or usefulness...
Tek it easy,
Mindfull

sorry roc, i forgot that you had pointed that out to me before. for some reason, i equated that with bluetooth in my head and once the bluetooth problem was solved, i forgot you had said that you coudl do everything else on the other display. thanks for your patience.

It is ok bros....I know making this choice is not easy...once you buy Murphy's Law says it is mandatory that the latest and greatest comes out after the unit gets installed and hits your credit card!

Not exactly Grumpy Bear... you still lose the ability to control the secondary features of the bc: reminder signal, stopwatch, independent ventilation, speed limit, dist to dest, ETA, extended immobilizer, etc.

You use that stuff? We were talking about in the instrument cluster. If you have a DSP and yank it out, it is understood that is all bye bye.

Not to mention you have not been answering IM's for three months on the topic...my frustration is the same questions being asked over and over simply because they have not taking the time to read all the post. I am happy to help with all that I know but all I ask is read the postings first.

I have not been answering your IM's... Huh? I think you are confusing me with someone else. I don't know you, you've never sent me IM, and I only became aware of this topic about 2 weeks ago.

At any rate, I'm really excited and hopeful about the new AVIC-Z1 that will use a 30GB HD and hopefully BT. That and my preference is for a fancier face plate.

edit for typo

Gerber? Are they going to make one for you out of strained bananas? :loco: Seriously though, this sound pretty good. Have you looked into this any further with Gerber?

A very nice reserch , a lot of effort , Very nicelly done. This unit is beutifull with a lot of perspectives in the future! Remember guys there is no one US space shutle is taking off the earth without japanes equipment on it!
Grate instalation!
regards dzhoka

BTW - This came from a 5 series, but this face plate was done for $400

Rich do you still sell these trim bezels for the pioneer unit to put in the x5 ?
I think I am picking up a 2005 without the nav so this will be great to have this trim piece!

yea, i did talk to gerber again, and they are ready to do it, but i didnt want to lose the independent ventilation, as it get really hot in the summer, so instead im having them custom mold me a "idrive" like hump to put above the center vents. i started a carpc thread, and tahts what im putting in there, a car pc. i made a foam mold and im taking it to them later on this week, i have all the othe components ready.

im debating whether to go with a leather cover to the dome like the dashboard, or if i should just go with a black matte like plastic which will be like the original radio color. decisions decisions

ill post pics asap

Computer
 

Are you referring to keeping the Blaupunkt MID working so you can make adjustments?

Hi there,

I'm about to do a Z2 install next weekend. The question that I have about not having the stock radio/obc in is, how do you reset mi/gallon, stop watch, and all of the other goodies if you don't have the radio/obc connected?

Thanks!

:popcorn: Is there any Double Din Dash Kit for E53 BMW X5? mybimmer.net only sells E46 Dould Dins. Would that fit my X5?

they have double din bazel for X5
http://www.mybimmer.net/x5doubledintrim.htm

that and recessed like the e46 unit