Help regarding upgrading friends BMW 1 series infotainment

Richeh

Richeh

Richeh

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South East Coast
Hello,
My friend has just bought a 2008 BMW 118D but the absolute basic model with no current touch screen, it is absolutely perfect for his needs for a runabout but he wants to update the infotainment system in it. I believe it is an E87 and after looking around I have seen this https://xtrons.co.uk/bmw-1-series-android-9-0-qualcomm-octa-core-4gb-ram-64gb-rom-qbs8719un which I have watched a few videos of installations and it seems doable enough. But I was wondering if there were any better (possibly cheaper) options that are worth considering?

He mainly wants Touch screen, Bluetooth, Sat Nav etc the added bonus of stuff like Netflix and other media apps might be nice (he has 6 kids so it may keep them entertained) but not essential. I've not really done car modifications before but am computer savvy and after watching the videos I think we can do it but are there any alternatives worth considering?

I am also very aware spending £470 odd on a BMW that old isn't cost effective but he wants to give it a try (he also has a Range Rover which he wants to update so I think he is planning on using this as practice).

Any help appreciated.

Cheers.
 
I fitted a Sony double din to my e87 130i as it only had the basic business stereo installed. It ticks all the boxes I was after - DAB, handsfree, Bluetooth streaming, Android Auto.

Iirc it cost me around £380 all in, so radio, fitting kit, wiring, dab aerial, and microphone.


 
dale1uk said:
I fitted a Sony double din to my e87 130i as it only had the basic business stereo installed. It ticks all the boxes I was after - DAB, handsfree, Bluetooth streaming, Android Auto.

Iirc it cost me around £380 all in, so radio, fitting kit, wiring, dab aerial, and microphone.


Click to expand...

I’ve got the same unit, Sony XAV-AX3005, and would highly recommend it too. It’s very quick to boot and the interface is clean and easy to navigate. I mostly use mine for Apple Carplay and Android Auto. If you’ve not installed a head unit before you may find this one easier as the rear is only single-din size.

I would avoid Android style head units as they’re generally a bit pants and lack in quality control. It may be better to get the kids a cheap tablet for ICE to save them pressing buttons and causing distractions?
 
Last edited:
Meatball said:
I’ve got the same unit, Sony XAV-AX3005, and would highly recommend it too. It’s very quick to boot and the interface is clean and easy to navigate. I mostly use mine for Apple Carplay and Android Auto. If you’ve not installed a head unit before you may find this one easier as the rear is only single-din size.

I would avoid Android style head units as they’re generally a bit pants and lack in quality control. It may be better to get the kids a cheap tablet for ICE to save them pressing buttons and causing distractions?
Click to expand...
On the contrary, i have had 2 android head units and I loved both of them in a 2002 e46 330d. Having waze and being able to use spotify in the car was fantastic. I will admit the earlier unit did have some issues with sound quality but the newer one was fantastic.
 
For the budget , for audio quality, aren't you better off first upgrading the speakers, then a better (alpine/sony) head-unit with pre-in/usb/dnla, and mobile phone.
 
Thanks for the replies all. Am having a look at the Sony unit, just need to make sure that I can find all the required facias/connections etc whereas the other one seemed to be an all in one unit that came with everything.

The audio quality isn't that important to him really.
 
The facia and wiring kit used in mine is the Connects2 kit. They vary depending on car spec:

https://connects2.com/products/installation-kits/vehicle/BMW/1-Series

If you're not in a hurry then you could wait and see how long it will be until Halfords start offering their fitting service again. When I got mine the fully fitted price (includes the facia, wiring kit, and DAB aerial) worked out around £50 cheaper than buying all the bits individually. They even offered to allow me to pay the fully fitted price for supply only so I got all the parts cheaper.
Obviously, due to lockdown they are currently not offering this service. You also read plenty online to stay away from the Halfords fitters due them all being crap, however this will vary from branch to branch. I had a good chat with the fitter at the branch where I got mine before deciding if I wanted supply only of the parts are leave it to him to fit.

Also, regarding fitting the new microphone for the handsfree, I fitted this Fiscon one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00PS71OLO/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_pVqTEbJZQWVZP

It fits in the OEM location so is completely hidden and works perfectly.
 
I like my android headunit upgrade in my veloster turbo but it had a factory amp installed anyway and it just puts out a digital signal to it.
 
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