After Market Stereo Fascia

[lazy]

Has anyone got any recommendations for after market stereo fitting kits, or just as important ones they wouldn't recommend. The fascia plate has got to be a good match for the dash as I won't be able to handle looking at a crappy one. I was originally going to go with an RCD 330 as I wanted the OE look, but I'm now thinking I may go for a Kenwood or JVC, because the software might be a bit quicker and I'm concerned about getting a fake RCD 330 and it being complete rubbish as they are not cheap. Any input will be gladly received.

[ZoliWorks]

I went with a Pioneer unit in my old car. It had bluetooth, carplay, spotify and probably a lot more that I didn't care about. The sound quality was exceptional. It had a 13 band double equalizer and could make my stock 4 speakers sound as if I had an amp and 10 speakers. It was even better after I fitted hertz dieci fronts and 2 way rears. I still have the speakers but they are being ran on a standard rcd 500 cause I sold the player when I switched cars. It sounds awful. no bass, no depth whatsoever. That Pioneer unit was something magical, ngl. You could plug the car directly into it but at the same time it had exits for 2 subs and a bunch of speakers, along with video in and out.

I had to buy a frame for it separately but it fit right into the stock mk5 slot. Looked something like this but the navi itself wasn't as in as it is in the pic. It was slightly sticking out, by like 1-2mm



https://pioneer-car.eu/dmh-a3300dab/dmh-a3300dab

Safe to say if I'm going to buy another player, i'll buy a pioneer.

[lazy]

I've had 2 Pioneers in the past and much preferred them over the 2 Sonys I've had. That looks pretty neat and tidy in pic. I think I could definitely live with that.
Do you remember the make of the fascia trim you bought, I definitely need it match well with the dash. Also I've seen on YouTube someone fitting a radio but their dash didn't have the air vent on top, does it just clip off or are there any hidden screws.

[ZoliWorks]

It was some cheap universal trim as far as i remember. I think you can get the complete kit online. with the trim plate, the box that holds the navi etc.

As for removing it, it's easy. The mesh vent thingy clips on without any screws so you can just pop it out. The one underneath has a screw in the far front center, right where the sunlight sensor cable is. Take the screw out and it pops out. Next you have 2 screws holding the center console vents. remove the screws and you can work it outwards. Start prying it from the back upwards and it should come out. the front plate that covers the navi and the AC controls has 2 screws that you can access after removing the vents in the previous step. Then it just pops out.

If you go with a pioneer, it'll likely need a module to read your steering wheel commands. I got a "connect2" or "connects2" module for $10. Just plugged it inbetween the navi and the car's harness and it worked.

I'll try booting up my old phone and post some pictures of when i sold it

[ZoliWorks]

[ZoliWorks]

Honestly I kinda regret selling it now. sure the rns 510 looks the part but I feel like this one sounded so much better