I.C.E Opinions please....

Type_R · 8 Sep 2006 at 23:00

The car: MKV Golf GTI

An inherent problem with this superb car is the fact that VW has spent the best part of 2p on the factory fit HU. Its a blaupunkt rebadged 2x20W pile of poo. Although I got the 6 cd changer version - which is just as poo, it does take up a double DIN.

I am looking for the following:

1. Just a HU replacement - speakers are OK (for the moment)
2. It needs to provide good quality sound - had an alpine 9815RB on my last golf and that was a gem!
3. MP3/WMA/Ipod compatibility essential
4. Bluetooth would be nice but not essential.

Although money really isnt an issue...best to stick sub £650...so I have narrowed it down to -->

1. Pioneer P9800BT + IPOD adaptor

2. Pioneer DEH-P88RS + IPOD adaptor

3. Alpine: IVA-W200Ri Double Din

At the moment I am liking option 2 the best, possibly coupled with another amp! Any thoughts, opinions, other HUs I should consider....much appreciated!

fullspizz · 8 Sep 2006 at 23:03

I have just bought the Alpine 9850ri.
Pretty good piece of kit, takes a while to get used to using the wheel for sorting out tracks on the pod, but seeing as I have it on mix all tracks then

Plus, built in I-pod functions (and it is pretty quick)

Type_R · 9 Sep 2006 at 10:05

Thanks, I am almost certain I am going for the DEH-P88RS with one of Pioneers new ICE amps...anyone got one of these HUs?

Type_R · 16 Sep 2006 at 17:12

Hehe, well I dropped into one of my local ICE stores to talk things over, and it seems the situation is more complex than I expected.

Firstly, nobody has the DEH-P88RS in stock...just one place online selling for £450 and one place waiting for stock @ £375!

Secondly I am going for Rainbow components Custom line IQ 365.19 - 3 ways for the front door...

Now should I get a separate amp for them?

If anyone can find the pioneer online it would be much appreciated.

The speakers:

[TW]Fox · 16 Sep 2006 at 17:16

That Double Din unit is awesome, shame its so expensive.

bmh.01 · 16 Sep 2006 at 17:28

Definetly amp the components, went from running mine of the hu to running them off an amp and they sound so much better than they did before.

Type_R · 16 Sep 2006 at 17:29

[TW]Fox said:
That Double Din unit is awesome, shame its so expensive.

Yeah it looks quality, but it does cost £600 (at the cheapest) and I am pretty sure it doesnt flip back on itself when u turn your car off (like the old Kenwoods did); so the scum will be after it at their earliest!

EDIT - Thanks for the input regarding the amp to the speakers...any recommendations for that please?

Also just realised that costs are spiraling out of control, checked the price for the 2-way components from rainbow rather than 3-ways on the front of the Golf, the prices are £127 for 2-way and £270 for 3-way. How much real world difference will there be between the two do u think?

willd58 · 16 Sep 2006 at 18:34

Type_R said:
Also just realised that costs are spiraling out of control, checked the price for the 2-way components from rainbow rather than 3-ways on the front of the Golf, the prices are £127 for 2-way and £270 for 3-way. How much real world difference will there be between the two do u think?

Depends how sensative you are to sound Quality tbh. The 2 way will be fine and probably sound a lot better amped than the 3 way would un amped.

Type_R · 16 Sep 2006 at 21:06

willd58 said:
Depends how sensative you are to sound Quality tbh. The 2 way will be fine and probably sound a lot better amped than the 3 way would un amped.

Thanks I will go with that...so a rainbow amp or something else, any ideas?

Type_R · 1 Nov 2006 at 19:11

Sorry to be bringing this thread back from the dead...but I am still stuck with the VW HU in my car. The reason - the Pioneer DEH-P88rs is only available from designated dealers and is very difficult to get hold of.

So the situation is, if someone knows of a quality HU for £450 odd that would be much appreciated. Otherwise, maybe stretching to the double DIN might be the only option :eek:

Dublove · 1 Nov 2006 at 19:35

Dude!!!

I just spent all day installing a Pioneer P9800BT. Get it is all I can say. I opened the box and its like opening an ipod box for the first time. All the cables have little end caps and stuff its fantastic. Attention to detail is spot on. Got the ipod adaptor too (v2 version) - Plug it in and go playlists and names come on instantly. Plus it sounds excellent too. (almost forgot that bit)

Also got the bluetooth steering wheel remote which is a nice bit of kit. Really sturdy mount and just the right fit.

My O2 xda2i works great with the hands free. Its not listed in the compatibility web-page so I wasn't expecting much but surprisingly

Now I know why people say Sony are crap (my sony hu got nicked last week) After seeing this Pioneer I will never buy a Sony again lol.