Hope someone can help. I want to replace the head unit (double din) and all the speakers in my MY01 UK300. Also thinking about 6x9's on the parcel shelf, cd changer, small sub-woofer and a small amp to power some/all of the speakers. Looking to spend no more than £1000 including cables and fitting. Any suggestions regarding kits and fitters?? Don't want to do myself because a) scared and b) I'd probably muck it up.

 

Hi UK300 I have a similiar budget to you £800 and also live in Cambridge.

well to start with the fitters in cambridge are VERY exspensive. over £200 gulp.

this is what I have gone for (ordered) I havent sorted out the install yet as 1. my car hasnt arrived yet :-( and 2. I havent sorted out who is doing the install.

Head Unit Blaupunkt MP72 (Single Din) Single cd MP3 (sd Cards) ect ect).
CD Changer (Blaupunkt IDC AO9) (single din) this configuration gets you a head unit and cd changer in the double din hole left by the oem head unit.

check out www.bluespot.co.uk. (thanks to hades to finding this first).

check out hades install picture
http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/thread.asp?threadid=136399
They do a matching surround for the cd changer now as well for £6.

There are better head units available from alpine and others but only blaupunkt and nakamichi (our budget doesnt stretch to this) do a in dash cd changer to fill the double din slot, most of the double din stereos are bottom end and sound pretty nasty unless you import one from japan or the US.

Speakers.

Well im not going for a sub as I need the space (push chair golf clubs ect ect). SO I have looked at the following speakers and here is my verdict.

In the front go for 6.5" components (seperate tweeter) just be wary of depth and a mdf collar will be needed.

In the rear 5" coaxials again sound not as important in the rear you are better off spending the money up front (i split my budget £150 front £50 rear) watch out for depth as there isnt as much room in the rear and expect a mdf collar here too(so im told).

Im going to probbably get flamed for this all this is IMHO after listening to them.

I have gone for a Focal Access 165a front components and infinity 552i rear coaxials.

You will need to add a wiring adaptor and the collars to your budget as well as a dynamat speaker kit for each set (at least). for this install at cambridge car audio was £180 fitting charge more if i go for an amp as well which is blowing a major part of my budget so I am shopping around for other places.

Genesis P16 absolutly amazing sound for the Price £150 very hard to get a demo anywhere of these fortunatly cambridge car audio were installing a set into a merc so i was able to get a listen.

Focal Access going for chiarks recomendation of the 165a I have ordered these but I am concerned about the depth (6.2cm).

Infinity ok but definetly bright when compared to others.

JBL very similiar sound to the infinity's a bit cheaper.

Alpine top end sounded good but you can get better for the money.

Pioneer at the lower price end sounded better in range to the infinities.

 

Someone listened to me!!!

 

Thanks PBee. Lots to take in and I'm glad I made the decision to pay someone to do it - seems complicated. £200 for installation initially seems a bit steep but I reckon it will take approx 5 hours for the install alone. At normal dealer rates of about £55 per hour it would cost more than £200. Really would like a recommendation for a trustworthy and sympathic installer - do you know one?

Now need to persuade the missus.... Re-post when the install done, I'd like to hear about the progress.

ps. There can't be that many UK300's in Cambs. I play golf at St Ives and Brampton Golf Clubs, also seen one with a great reg P300 SUB - is that you? ooops wrong forum - moderator don't tell me off..

 

No-one, but no-one, can get flamed for listening to something and making a choice! It's all about what you prefer, as sound is very subjective.

I think that'll sound good, and don't worry about the depth, we'll get 'em to fit

 

Uk300

Cambridge Car audio is a good place to start. Speak to Dave he has been there for ages and knows his stuff, but they are exspensive and seem to carry a lot of old stock, they also run a web company called in car express.

http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/index.php3

and for example a set of pioneer tse1375 5" coaxials that I have bought for the rear (they sounded so much fuller than the infinity kappa and reference) are £51 on their website but they only sell the old model tse1370 for £70 in the shop, you get the idea I actually told them I would buy from their website get it delivered and then bring it all back for the install which worked out loads cheaper (madness hey).

There installs are impecable last time I was there they had a Skyline r33 and a AMG merc in very clean workshop and knowledgeable people. I reckon you could get the install price down a bit if you barter but I didnt need too.

The other place in Cambridge is CBS they fit my car kits they do audio installs (dont sell anything except lcd tv's ect). They do good car kit installs (the best i have come across) but havent used them for any audio stuff.

good luck report back what you go for I would be interested in your opinions. If you havent sorted your system out by the end of the month post something and we can arrange a meet and i will give you a demo.

cheers


Peter

I didnt do this in the end as Dr Cliffors is doing an amazing deal of fitting all my stuff for free whilst he is installing my alarm / tracker / security film, as he will have to take most of the car apart to fit the security stuff anyway.

Roll on the 10th April as thats when the My03 turns up.

I will keep my eyes open for you as I play a bit of golf mainly at the goggs and hayden grange but do go to other places as well.

cheers

Peter