Advice Sought - Replacing Professional head unit

[jmonintwo]

Be forewarned - I'm not the smartest BMW or car audio guy

Looking for thoughts on my situation please....

2013 E82

From the knowledge shared here on the site I :
replaced speakers
installed the JL Audio 600/6 V2
Used the Technics wiring harness / battery cables

Sounds much better but I'm :
Tired of the Viseo Tune2Air poor performance (I'm an Andriod user) and
lack of midrange control from the Professional head unit

Been looking on the Crutchfield site and thinking about:
Getting a digital media receiver
and the suggested install kit so I can still use the steering wheel buttons

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130S50....html?tp=72453

This should give me more audio control and hopefully solve my bluetooth issues.

Hoping maybe some of you have gone down the same path and / or have feedback / suggestions.

Thanks for Nashville, TN

[SamelCamel]

I'm south of Nashville. I can try to help you some if you ever need assistance. I never see anyone on here from the Nashville area. I've got the Harmon Kardon system in mine so I've not done anything with it, but I've worked with car audio on and off for 20+ years.

Shout out.

-Sam

[Stubbie Blue]

Do it! I had no experience with car stereos but installed a single DIN Android headunit myself and it works great.

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1510420

I used the PAC RP4.2-BM21 smart harness to retain chimes and steering wheel controls. I did have an issue with the PDC not working at first, but I solved that by downgrading to an earlier firmware.

[jmonintwo]

OP here - sorry i disappeared for a bit.

Thanks for the feedback !

Sam - Thanks for the note. I thought about getting a 135, but was coming off a GTI and was ready for a little softer (old man ) ride. So opted for the 128. Was hard to find the one I wanted so have been having to mod what I got.

Stubbie - thanks for mentioning the PAC - That's probably what I'll do.

Did you retain the chime, or have to install that little speaker?

No looking forward to running the yellow wire back to the battery

[Stubbie Blue]

The chime speaker was already in my car above the pedals. You just have disconnect it and run a wire to the PAC unit that they give you.

I also installed a backup camera so had to run the video cable to the front, but it wasn't that hard. I just had to pull off the door sill and the rear seat base. You can just tuck the wires under all the other panels like the B pillar and rear side panel, and under the folding rear seat and trunk floor panel.

The other alternative I have heard is to tap the power door lock fuse because it is always on.

[jmonintwo]

Originally Posted by Stubbie Blue

The chime speaker was already in my car above the pedals. You just have disconnect it and run a wire to the PAC unit that they give you.

The other alternative I have heard is to tap the power door lock fuse because it is always on.

Didn't know that about the speaker - thanks.

I may just do that with the yellow wire - tap it into that fuse.


Hey what about the car's bluetooth phone capability? Was that retained when you switched units? The unit I'm looking at comes with bluetooth phone ability (and a wired microphone) - but I'd rather keep/use the cars if I can.

[Stubbie Blue]

Originally Posted by jmonintwo

Hey what about the car's bluetooth phone capability? Was that retained when you switched units? The unit I'm looking at comes with bluetooth phone ability (and a wired microphone) - but I'd rather keep/use the cars if I can.

You have to use your new head unit's bluetooth and mic.

[Droptop986]

You will need to get a dash kit.a smart harness as mentioned. You might need to run a wire for separate constant on to retain memory

[2Veloce]

I installed a double din Pioneer,
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1510159

[FLATBMW]

Single din radios are core! I have a Pioneer DEH-80PRS single din and a Samsung Galaxy Tab E 8.0 running torque etc.