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Up Grading the X5 E53 Head Unit - Suggestions Please

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:14 pm
by shy7g
Hi All
I'm thinking of updating my head unit from the Factory fitted unit to an After market type such as the type with the 7-inch screens (2 Din look) or the single Din type with the pop out screen.
Has anyone out there done this already? Suggested makes and models, with photos (if Poss.) gladly appreciated.
Would like to have as many functions as poss.... touch screen, GPS, TV etc etc......
and as always as affordable (cheap  :hmmm:) as poss. up to £300-ish.
All advise greatly appreciated up front
thanks
Rich

Re: Up Grading the X5 E53 Head Unit - Suggestions Please

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 4:32 pm
by Ubatoid
Sounds like you need to search for Hualigan or Dynavin on this forum. The Hualigan units are cheaper but iny opinion still need some development work - I fitted one a few months back along with another member N1k something who did an excellent review and even posted some videos up.

Re: Up Grading the X5 E53 Head Unit - Suggestions Please

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:04 pm
by shy7g
Will both 1-Din and 2-Din unit types fit into the console after the factory fitted unit is removed?

Re: Up Grading the X5 E53 Head Unit - Suggestions Please

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:19 pm
by jaynana
you can fit in the 2-din. just search the forum as said, for Dynavin and Hauligan. there are descriptions with photos.

btw what did you say £300?  :P

c'mon man its an X5, its made by BMW. its made to spend money on! 8)

Re: Up Grading the X5 E53 Head Unit - Suggestions Please

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 10:20 pm
by Imy
Pioneer do some nice double din units as do alpine.
If you working on a budget have a look on eBay. Sellers on their sell old models I.e. last yrs models for fairly cheap as they need to make space for the current years stock. Double din is generally cheaper than flip out in my experience. Don't skimp though. Keep it to a brand and not some cr@p like ripspeed!

Re: Up Grading the X5 E53 Head Unit - Suggestions Please

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 10:25 pm
by shy7g
[quote="jaynana"]
you can fit in the 2-din. just search the forum as said, for Dynavin and Hauligan. there are descriptions with photos.

btw what did you say £300?  :P

c'mon man its an X5, its made by BMW. its made to spend money on! 8)
[/quote]

Yeah right, I'm 43 and to date this Bloody X5 has been the worst car I have ever owned, I took delivery of it the start of June and it's been at the dealers most of the time with one thing and another. I'm hoping it's going to calm down now so I can enjoy driving it, I'M NOT GOING TO HOLD MY BREATH THOW :holdbreath:

Re: Up Grading the X5 E53 Head Unit - Suggestions Please

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 7:39 am
by Raj
[quote="shy7g"]
[quote="jaynana"]
you can fit in the 2-din. just search the forum as said, for Dynavin and Hauligan. there are descriptions with photos.

btw what did you say £300?  :P

c'mon man its an X5, its made by BMW. its made to spend money on! 8)
[/quote]

Yeah right, I'm 43 and to date this Bloody X5 has been the worst car I have ever owned, I took delivery of it the start of June and it's been at the dealers most of the time with one thing and another. I'm hoping it's going to calm down now so I can enjoy driving it, I'M NOT GOING TO HOLD MY BREATH THOW :holdbreath:
[/quote]

I feel for you. I bought mine after owning a string of BMW's and it has cost me abut to keep on the road, etc. But tbh I still love driving mine when it is working well. Hopefully once you get over the initial running period and these issues it will hopefully settle into an enjoyable experience.

As for the headunit, I've gone with a Pioneer HD1BT double din unit and it blows the OE stuff out the water for functionality, etc. you do however have to be willing to accept it will always look out of place due to the enourmous aperture left by the OE unit.

For your requirements that you have listed I think you may need to up your budget though for a decent brand.