What's the head unit of choice?

[Westy]

I'm looking at getting a new head unit to replace the standard one. I'd like something with an ipod connection of some sort. I know that some sort of extra face plate will be needed to fill part of the huge hole the original head unit will leave but what head units seem to fit better than others?

Any pics would also be nice of your head unit if that's not too much trouble

 

[benr]

Lots of people go for RNS-e but i think its too bigger cost and hassle. Id recommend a becker, thats probably what im going to go for when i do replace mine.

 

[S3 Wannabe]

I to am looking into this at the mo. Keen to know what people know/think of this:

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/kdavx44-super-saver-p-7116.html?cadid=5e1udu0kebvhgmrc4bclnjngo4

 

[MintyS3]

No experience of JVC ice. I know their stuff is generally well made though.

I tend to rate Alpine. My mp3 headunit lasted for the 5 years I had my last car. With the freezing temperatures, very harsh roads and solid coilovers it never missed a beat.

 

[AndyMac]

Becker Grand Prix if you want quality without the bling:
http://www.sextonsdirect.co.uk/GP7992_becker-grand-prix-7992-cdmp3wma-tuner.html

 

[Yaz]

Alpine IDA-X100 all day long

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/8311.html

 

[alijames]

Alpine IDA-X100 all day long

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/8311.html

Can you select a red backlight for that unit? It would look pretty cr*p if all blue in a red backlit car...

Cheers,

 

[Yaz]

Can you select a red backlight for that unit? It would look pretty cr*p if all blue in a red backlit car...

Cheers,

Yeah you can red or blue for the screen and the buttons

 

[benr]

I like Alpine units, but i dont like the look of them bit too out of place.

Anyone got any pics installed?

 

[mac1403]

Becker is the best option if you want to keep a standard look. Fantastic HU too. I have a pic of one installed in A4, just so you get an idea.

 

[<tuffty/>]

I am going for an Alpine IDA-X100 too. Got my trusty Sony CDX CA900 at the moment. Its pretty good and I use a Connects2 iPod controller which gives me pretty good control and ID3 tags on the scroling screen.

Looks nice in the dash (excuse the poor quality pics) but really fancy the Alpine.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k30/tufftybloke/Random/Car/sony_cdx-ca900.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k30/tufftybloke/Random/Car/IMG_3348.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k30/tufftybloke/Random/Car/IMG_3352.jpg

<tuffty/>

 

[Ibzzzzz]

I am going for an Alpine IDA-X100 too. Got my trusty Sony CDX CA900 at the moment. Its pretty good and I use a Connects2 iPod controller which gives me pretty good control and ID3 tags on the scroling screen.

Looks nice in the dash (excuse the poor quality pics) but really fancy the Alpine.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k30/tufftybloke/Random/Car/sony_cdx-ca900.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k30/tufftybloke/Random/Car/IMG_3348.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k30/tufftybloke/Random/Car/IMG_3352.jpg

<tuffty/>

Where did you get the fascia adaptors from?

 

[<tuffty/>]

ebay mate

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140285712852

<tuffty/>

 

[S3 Rav]

i've got a rockford fosgate HU. great sound not too flashy.

 

[Ibzzzzz]

I went for a chavvy Pioneer P55BT purely for the bluetooth tech! I have to say it is a brilliant system! But they discontinued that. So i would recommend the Pioneer D3. Its a double din so it will look OEM in your car and it has navi and bluetooth with ipod control. http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/5821.html bit pricey but worth it i think!

 

[buckas]

agree with becker great OEM look, only thing that niggles me is the spacers you have to stick in either side of the unit

 

[jimmy S3]

I went for a chavvy Pioneer P55BT purely for the bluetooth tech! I have to say it is a brilliant system! But they discontinued that. So i would recommend the Pioneer D3. Its a double din so it will look OEM in your car and it has navi and bluetooth with ipod control. http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/5821.html bit pricey but worth it i think!

i want somethin like this for my S3, but can you get a face plate to go round the original stereo cause the gap is quite big

 

[fran-s3]

I have the Alpine IDA-X100 and it's absolutely immense! The red matches perfectly, the sound quality using the IPod is superb and combined with it showing you the album artwork it really does have the wow factor.

 

[Yaz]

I have the Alpine IDA-X100 and it's absolutely immense! The red matches perfectly, the sound quality using the IPod is superb and combined with it showing you the album artwork it really does have the wow factor.

Agreed, hard to beat for the money...

 

[Ibzzzzz]

I been doing searching and this car doesnt take any double din apart from the RNS-e as no fascia has been made for an aftermarket unit which is DUUUMMMB!

 

[fran-s3]

Plus forgot to mention, has the added advantage of being able to use the Alpine bluetooth handsfree kit (you need to buy as an extra) which is superb. You can also remove part of the face unit for added security.

 

[fran-s3]

I been doing searching and this car doesnt take any double din apart from the RNS-e as no fascia has been made for an aftermarket unit which is DUUUMMMB!

I had the same issue, my S3 came with the OEM double din Audi Sat Nav originally... Got a ICE speciliast in Leicester to re-mould and spray a single A3 DIN facia (from double to single DIN) but your right they don't actually make one for the 8L. I looked for ages, but nope they don't. Can give you the company details of ICE specilialist who managed to make mine.... Great result, looks OEM.

 

[<tuffty/>]

The Alpine is 'Vehicle Display Interface' ready which one would assume would allow it to connect to the Audi DIS. Anyone know anymore about this? Would be great to have the DIS used rather than a big black nothing like it is on my current Sony HU

<tuffty/>

 

[1animal1]

poooo i cant honestly see anything looking better than the OEM HU.... IMO of course.... some cars are meant to have different HU's, some aren't

The Becker does look the most subtle but like someone mentioned above, the side inserts ruin it.... OEM all the way, just a shame you cant upgrade the OEM to sound better

I welcome the forthcoming onslaught that i have just opened myself up to

 

[fran-s3]

Yes I read that but there was certainly no option on mine to do this that I could see.... The top DIS doesn't look to bad blank to be honest.. You only lose a third of it.

 

[<tuffty/>]

I had a double din (Symphony 2) until recently, I couldn't find a double din adaptor and tbh didn't really need all the functions of current DD models so managed to find someone who had all the single din stuff to swap.

Opens up more options IMO plus I have a load of gear/amops etc to go in from my previous car.

<tuffty/>

 

[Westy]

What facsia plates do I need to fill the huge hole left by removing the CD player/radio/tape unit and fitting an after market head unit?

 

[Essflee]

poooo i cant honestly see anything looking better than the OEM HU.... IMO of course.... some cars are meant to have different HU's, some aren't

The Becker does look the most subtle but like someone mentioned above, the side inserts ruin it.... OEM all the way, just a shame you cant upgrade the OEM to sound better

I welcome the forthcoming onslaught that i have just opened myself up to

 

[simch]

I have the single din concert in mine with Bose. Is there a problem with the Bose compatibility with any of these after market units? I remeber the phone installer telling me it was a hassle to get the parrot kits to work with the Bose equipped cars properly.