Hi guys.. first post and all that. so big thanks to everyone here, its a great source of information.. thank you.

im hoping to buy my first FF RR next week, ive been looking for about 6 months at either 08 or 09 SE model with factory Rear Entertainment.

having visited a local dealer this weekend, they pretty much convinced me to go for one with out rear entertainment and have some fitted by a dealer connected installer.

So , i thought id start a thread here about the pros and cons of each.

.. my view are the factory fit rear screens, 1, look more pleasing and inkeeping with the interior design and 2, can be controlled using the dashboard..

from what i know the after market ones have more features, including tilting screens and game console connections, and for buying reasons there are more models for sale with out rear screens then there are with..

Really interested to hear peoples views on this.

Thanks

I have RSE in my car, and I have to say that I find the flexibility of the system excellent - I love that fact that all 3 screens in the car can be controlled independently of one another in terms of both video and audio source from the driver's seat.

I would imagine that a 3rd party system might give you more scope for bigger / better screens etc (although the maximum size is limited by the size of the headrests of course) but I can't think of many other benefits.

A mate of mine has an aftermarket RSE system (and aftermarket iPod kit) in his TD6 - he bought the car with them fitted - and he's has all kinds of electrical headaches.

Of course I can't say for sure that his troubles are linked to the aftermarket stuff - but it seems a hell of a coincidence.

And just for balance - I've had aftermarket kits fitted in all kinds of previous cars - I had a Mobridge in a 911, a Dension 500 Gateway in an X5 etc - and they all worked faultlessly.

Not sure that helps...but if it were me...and I was spending the kind of money you are - I'd get a factory RSE set up.

Your dealer wouldn't happen to have a car in stock that fits your exact requirements but without RSE by any chance would they?  Past (too many to list, but a few favs)...
2007 Porsche 997 C2S Coupe
2007 FFRR 4.2 S/C
2012 Jag XKR 5.0 S/C
2014 Merc SL500 AMG 4.7 V8 BiTurbo (remapped to 560BHP)
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - Overfinch Conversion
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
2018 AMG C63S Estate
2015 Mercedes GLE63S
2017 Maserati Levante Diesel
2017 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Black Edition

Oh...and I should have said...welcome to the forum!  Past (too many to list, but a few favs)...
2007 Porsche 997 C2S Coupe
2007 FFRR 4.2 S/C
2012 Jag XKR 5.0 S/C
2014 Merc SL500 AMG 4.7 V8 BiTurbo (remapped to 560BHP)
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - Overfinch Conversion
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
2018 AMG C63S Estate
2015 Mercedes GLE63S
2017 Maserati Levante Diesel
2017 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Black Edition

Nice one jfb1977.. that does help thanks..yeah factory is my gut feeling.. ha yeah thats pretty much the scenario. about 4 or 5 which out RSE and 0 at the moment with.

not having control as the driver does bother me.. having small kids etc.

I though 08 & 09 factory RSE could only play the same dvd at once.. is yours much newer?

thanks again

IIRC factory fitted RSE can also have game consoles connected to them via the aux input sockets.

sgtgeall wrote:

Nice one jfb1977.. that does help thanks..yeah factory is my gut feeling.. ha yeah thats pretty much the scenario. about 4 or 5 which out RSE and 0 at the moment with.

not having control as the driver does bother me.. having small kids etc.

I though 08 & 09 factory RSE could only play the same dvd at once.. is yours much newer?

thanks again

Welcome to the forum,

It's true that the factory RSE can play only play one DVD at a time, but you can set one screen to play a DVD and the other to watch TV, use one of the video inputs, listen to the radio, a CD or use the Aux in.

Its great being able to control it from the front if you have young passengers in the back, as navigating through DVD menus to get to the film can be tricky for little ones.

My kids insisted I got RSE last time I changed vehicles, but 18 months on and it rarely gets turned on, even on long runs.

Next time I replace my car, if it's got RSE great, but if not I will buy a pair of iPads, as know they will get some use.

Cheers

Justin 
Gone - Range Rover Supercharged 2006


Last edited by JustinP on 6th May 2012 8:59pm. Edited 2 times in total

I retrofitted the full RSE system to SWMBO's D3 rather than an aftermarket kit which is the route I chose for my old FFRR. Now I have a 2010MY but waited until I found the right car with factory RSE and have no regrets.

It's definitely the way to go although some will say otherwise. The only argument against the factory system is the rediculously over priced £2500 price tag from new

I can guarantee you won't pay any more for a used car with RSE and the dealer just wants to sell you a car from stock but if they were honest and they had kids they would go factory RSE too

WAIT FOR THE RIGHT CAR ARE THE RIGHT PRICE WITH THE RIGHT SPEC inc RSE

Andy. 2015 L405 SDV8 Autobiography, Indus Silver with Black Pack.
SWMBO: 22MY Defender 110 HSE X Dynamic, Gondwana Stone.
Gone: 2014 Discovery 4 HSE Luxury Firenze Red
Gone: 2006MY Java Black TD6 Autobiography
Gone: 2013 Jaguar XKR Convertible, Italian Racing Red with Ivory Seats
Gone: 2010MY Stornoway Grey TDV8 Vogue SE with RSE
Gone: 2008 Disco 3 HSE, Hybrid Tv + Retro-fit RSE System & DVD
Gone: 2003 Epsom Green 4.4i Vogue, LPG, Mk4 Nav, BMW Bluetooth Phone, Hybrid Tv Tuner,

What Ajay said. Past (too many to list, but a few favs)...
2007 Porsche 997 C2S Coupe
2007 FFRR 4.2 S/C
2012 Jag XKR 5.0 S/C
2014 Merc SL500 AMG 4.7 V8 BiTurbo (remapped to 560BHP)
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - Overfinch Conversion
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
2018 AMG C63S Estate
2015 Mercedes GLE63S
2017 Maserati Levante Diesel
2017 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Black Edition

thanks guys.. really helpful to bounce these ideas around

my decision is to wait for the right one to turn up with factory RSE