Well after 3 hours, a lot of blood, sweat, swearing and brute force, I've finally managed to get my CD/MP3/SD/Bluetooth all in one stereo fitted.

An hour and half to dismantle the dashboard to get the hands free mic routed so that it sits above the driver, then another hour and half just to get the bloody thing in the dash!

I cut my hand open on the stupid metal cage, and had to become a contortionist to get all of the connections to fit behind the unit, but its all in.

All I need now is the little bit of trim to go above it, but the parts dept of my local dealers are shut, despite them promising to get it in for me for today.

This is what Saturdays are all about!

Know the feeling. My stereo has a bit of plastic trim underneath the normal trim ring and I broke this trying to install the stereos, there for a few hours putting it in and out and rearranging the cables, oooh errr missus.

I'm glad someone else struggled to get the wires to fit behind their head unit too, I thought I was just being special...

I'm glad someone else struggled to get the wires to fit behind their head unit too, I thought I was just being special...

Yup, I thought it would be a faff when I took out the Symphony, but I didn't realise that it would be such a ball ache!

I use to be a pro installer for headunits and hands free kits. Only took me about 11 minutes to do the DoubleDin fit! Inc running the mic to the A-pillar and running the USB connector wire under the centre console. Just thought i'd rub it in! Good effort though!

I use to be a pro installer for headunits and hands free kits. Only took me about 11 minutes to do the DoubleDin fit! Inc running the mic to the A-pillar and running the USB connector wire under the centre console. Just thought i'd rub it in! Good effort though!

I'll get you to do mine then eh, you're not too far away

Its not hard to do - just fiddly! Did it in my lunch hour when I wanted it done!

I use to be a pro installer for headunits and hands free kits. Only took me about 11 minutes to do the DoubleDin fit! Inc running the mic to the A-pillar and running the USB connector wire under the centre console. Just thought i'd rub it in! Good effort though!

Haha there's always one!

Seriously though, 11 min?? :wonder:

Its not hard to do - just fiddly! Did it in my lunch hour when I wanted it done!

Aye I know, the headunit I'm not worried about, wiring up the amp and keeping cables out of view is the one I can't be arsed with. That's why I bought the JL XD400/4. I reckon I can get it in the glove compartment, behind the dash trim, or under the front seat so I won't have to run cables far back.

i wonder if this is why my new stereo is sitting prouder than my old one does a stereo just 'pull' out :p

i wonder if this is why my new stereo is sitting prouder than my old one does a stereo just 'pull' out :p

Haha there's always one!

Seriously though, 11 min?? :wonder:

Yeah most VW group cars are less than 15 minute slots - the only ones I have more than an hour on was Mk5 Golfs (and varietys) & the new Passat CC. I had a contract with the local VW dealers to fit the handsefree kits to cars - as our labour costs were less than theirs, plus it was the same kit - just it didnt say VW on it when you started the engine!

Yeah most VW group cars are less than 15 minute slots - the only ones I have more than an hour on was Mk5 Golfs (and varietys) & the new Passat CC. I had a contract with the local VW dealers to fit the handsefree kits to cars - as our labour costs were less than theirs, plus it was the same kit - just it didnt say VW on it when you started the engine!

Are you a combination of stretch armstrong and flat stanley?!!

How you can route a hands free cable though the dash in 15 minutes is beyond me!

Honestly I've done over 800 stereo & handfree kits within the 2 years I worked for them. I had modified spreaders & an old bike brake cable - which i clip the cable to and just have to use that the pull the cable across the back of the dashboard.

Trust me its all about the tools and the experience!

Honestly I've done over 800 stereo & handfree kits within the 2 years I worked for them. I had modified spreaders & an old bike brake cable - which i clip the cable to and just have to use that the pull the cable across the back of the dashboard.

Trust me its all about the tools and the experience!

Agree'd I used to work @ halfords as an IMI fitter and just did my double din in my VRS took about 20 mins inc USB wire in glovebox and mic on A-pillar...

The removal keys for the OEM HU sliced my fingers up though - probably got soft hands now i don't monkey about with cars as much hehe

Andrew

dear softscoop, please note..................

so get some up asap :thumbup:

dear softscoop, please note..................

so get some up asap :thumbup:

Pics to follow after I've fitted the top bit of trim.

Don't want to show a half finished job

I also worked for Halfords as an IMI fitter - but I was also the CANBUS trainer for Scotland.

Most difficult fit I ever did was a 2009 Landrover Discovery with the Harmon Kardon 10 speakers amped system - landrover said it couldnt be done. So I made a loom and fitted it - took 4 days solid - kit worked and Landrover bought the loom design from me so they can now do the installs! Nice!

I also worked for Halfords as an IMI fitter - but I was also the CANBUS trainer for Scotland.

Most difficult fit I ever did was a 2009 Landrover Discovery with the Harmon Kardon 10 speakers amped system - landrover said it couldnt be done. So I made a loom and fitted it - took 4 days solid - kit worked and Landrover bought the loom design from me so they can now do the installs! Nice!

Nice I was a cycle specialist who got chucked on an IMI course so i never got that involved haha i let the bigger stores do the hard ones...

Andrew

Haha! All th small stores use to send everything to me!

What landrover paid me for the Loom bought most of my VRS!

Finally some pics of this

Lidl special - MP3/WMA from USB, SD Card or CD, bluetooth hands free and aux in - £49.99

Is the sound any better than the unit it replaced? I'm always a bit put off by the £50 Aldi and Lidl specials as I'd hate it to be a case of buying that then it being £50 that could have gone towards a better one (guess that makes me a bit of a head unit snob, lol.)

Is the sound any better than the unit it replaced? I'm always a bit put off by the £50 Aldi and Lidl specials as I'd hate it to be a case of buying that then it being £50 that could have gone towards a better one (guess that makes me a bit of a head unit snob, lol.)

It's not massively improved, but it's certainly better.

I had to upgrade anyway as my Symphony was giving the click of death most of the time I tried to play any cds.