Hello all, when I purchased my 2002 it already had an after market stereo fitted instead of the head unit.
Apart from the annoyances like not being able to set the clock and anything else thats done through the head unit, it doesnt look very nice.
Obviously, to retro fit an original unit would be a nightmare as its been rewired and god knows what, so Id just like to fit a nicer looking stereo.
Ive seen some audio/satnav combinations but without taking out the existing unit I have no idea how much space I have to fit a replacement.
I like the looks of things like this;

Sony-XAV601BT-Multimedia-Head-Unit
Pioneer AVH-6300BT

Not neccesarily these exact models but that sort of thing.

Has anyone else strayed away from the original head unit?

Advice gratefully received........

I'm eventually going to try this one, item no eBay Item No. 271159553312 on eBay, heard good reports

This might help:

http://www.powerfuluk.com/products/range-r...d-etc.html

(scroll down to see videos) .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

That's a couple of hundred pound more for essentially the same unit it they do look a nice bit if kit for the money

I provided the link more on the basis of what is involved rather than suggesting that is the price to pay! .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Thanks for the replies.

Im not an electronics whiz but the way it was explained to me, in the RR the bit that sits in the dashbord is simply a control unit for the radio/cd/whatever that is located elsewhere, in the boot or something.
Mine is just a simple after market CD radio and the whole unit is contained in the dashboard.
As I said earlier, when I bought the car, this had already been done, so Im none the wiser as to what should be there or was there before.
Soooo if I do replace this self contained unit, chances are I will have to replace it with another, albeit better quality and more features, unit of the same sort. IE all in the dash.

Ive nosed about in the boot and I suspect there once was a multi CD unit because there are some very lost and lonely audio cables just sitting there looking sorry for themselves.

I think I might have to bite the bullet and take her into a car audio shop and let them see whats what and give me my options.

By the sounds of things the previous owner ripped out all the OEM equipment as they would no longer be needed.

Indeed the "head unit" was in reality a control unit and fed back to the rear left where the Radio, amp, etc... used to sit. The cd changer would probably have been in the front glove compartment.

I wouldn't worry too much if you are replacing the head unit you have with a newer one as the all the connectors you will need should be up front now. The wiring to the speakers will be there if the current head unit works ok but you may want to think about new speakers with a new HU. They should be a simple remove, swap over and plug in.

Hopefully all the hard work (removing the old OEM system and re wiring to speakers) has already been done for you..! Ash
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2016 SDV8 AB

Um, on the HSE with the MID, the default was that there was nothing in the LHS of the boot, it all happened up front. However, a DVD player may have been fitted, which would be odd, if no front or rear screens were in place. There should be a CD player in the glovebox ? .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

I went the aftermarket route with an Erisin ES1139B from ebay for my pauper spec SE RR(!) and it looks great - almost like it's standard RR.
It was a relatively easy job - plug and play for the electrical side, but you will probably have to modify the mounting cage (depending on how the previous owner fitted yours). This isn't difficult but a bit scary as it involves cutting plastic, but it's all hidden anyway so no need to worry too much about neat cuts!
One word of warning though - make sure you get the correct connecting lead to the original loom.
My unit came supplied with a standard BMW 17(or 19 -can't just recall) pin type connector, but I needed a 40 pin type and I suspect you will be the same.
Only way to be 100% sure is to remove the old unit and check.
Should be no more than 2 hours work if you have the right connector!!
Good luck with it!

I've just changed all my system!
If your planning to fit a double din unit the area behind the stereo will need to be modified and a lot of plastic will have to be cut, but well worh it IMO !!
Is it a single or double you have at the moment?
Oh and you can set the clock by removing and refitting the correct fuse at exactly 12 o clock;)

Click image to enlarge

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated

Is that a pioneer with app radio?looks nice I'm thinking about this:
http://www.pioneer.eu/uk/products/25/109/2.../page.html

Really its not that great, takes ages to start up, and you have to buy an app to make each thing work, ie YouTube, etc

Don't waste your hard earned on it, is my recommendation!!!

I'll be changing it soon if you still want one!! Lo

I've been doing bit of research & my local audio man thinks the same as you, utter pish! He even offered me his display unit for £100, he is refusing to get more in stock. The issue for me is iPhone 5 integration, looks like I need extra cabling to allow proper link up to the head unit. So far approx. an extra £120-£150. I do like the pioneer units the one in the link is cheapest in halfords for £299. Sadly I'm not confident about fitting myself, things would end up on fire. Do you think I would get away with not replacing any speakers?

I wouldn't bother with the app radio, find a nice kenwood;)

You don't have to change the speakers but you would need crossovers (3 way front & 2 way rear) these keep the right frequency to each speaker, ie high to your tweeters mid range to your mids anf low to the wooffers!

You would also have to tap into original wiring either at the boot or just inside the doors on the pillars!

SATVC
Sorry for the late reply, I put the whole idea on hold for lack of funds and havent been on here much !
In answer to your question, its currently a single din, and I have seen the other posts about cutting the surround to take a double din, but, Im basically a coward when it comes to taking my baby apart !
I have a nasty habit of taking things apart and then they never go back !