After driving around with the factory audio 15 and Becker nav for a year, I have begun to look into an aftermarket stereo system.
I haven't put anything like this in a vehicle for 20 years, but I am over the factory system.
I am annoyed that I have wires and crap all over the place for a xm radio unit, and that the cost and effort to connect a backup camera seems silly. Plus the sound sucks.
I want satellite radio and a cd slot.
Might as well get nav, camera, Bluetooth, speakers, and amp and a sub.
I figure that there is no better time to do this then when I take things apart to sound deaden and insulate the van.
I want to spend approx. 2k or so.
I went and looked at the local high end stereo shop, and while I am sure that they would do a much better job on the install than I could.......a combo of $110 per hour shop rate and full MSRP retail doesn't really get me much equipment for $2k: essentially a $350 head unit, some cheap-ish speakers and a camera.
It just seemed like a lot of money for what really isn't that nice of a stereo.
I am thinking DIY
$2,200 gets me lots of killer equipment at crutchfield and other (cheaper) places.
Kenwood nav touchscreen, 2 pairs of hertz speakers, a 5 channel JL or similar amp and a sub, camera, plus all the adapters and wiring, etc.
Anybody here have any experience either way to tell me that I should or should not attempt to do this?
How hard is this? Will I completely destroy this van? I am not planning on cutting can/bus wires and stuff.
I am really not that "into" car stereos and whatnot, but I am never gonna get an iPod and I have some trips planned for this van that are going to be pretty long. If my flip-phone ever dies I will get a android smart phone for Bluetooth I guess.
I am not trying to belittle the value of the pro install, but it just seems that my budget isn't that great for a full install. The quote that they gave at $4,200 seemed much better. I can't do that as I need to save my money to continue to purchase $12 liters of DEF fluid at the Mercedes dealer!
I haven't put anything like this in a vehicle for 20 years, but I am over the factory system.
I am annoyed that I have wires and crap all over the place for a xm radio unit, and that the cost and effort to connect a backup camera seems silly. Plus the sound sucks.
I want satellite radio and a cd slot.
Might as well get nav, camera, Bluetooth, speakers, and amp and a sub.
I figure that there is no better time to do this then when I take things apart to sound deaden and insulate the van.
I want to spend approx. 2k or so.
I went and looked at the local high end stereo shop, and while I am sure that they would do a much better job on the install than I could.......a combo of $110 per hour shop rate and full MSRP retail doesn't really get me much equipment for $2k: essentially a $350 head unit, some cheap-ish speakers and a camera.
It just seemed like a lot of money for what really isn't that nice of a stereo.
I am thinking DIY
$2,200 gets me lots of killer equipment at crutchfield and other (cheaper) places.
Kenwood nav touchscreen, 2 pairs of hertz speakers, a 5 channel JL or similar amp and a sub, camera, plus all the adapters and wiring, etc.
Anybody here have any experience either way to tell me that I should or should not attempt to do this?
How hard is this? Will I completely destroy this van? I am not planning on cutting can/bus wires and stuff.
I am really not that "into" car stereos and whatnot, but I am never gonna get an iPod and I have some trips planned for this van that are going to be pretty long. If my flip-phone ever dies I will get a android smart phone for Bluetooth I guess.
I am not trying to belittle the value of the pro install, but it just seems that my budget isn't that great for a full install. The quote that they gave at $4,200 seemed much better. I can't do that as I need to save my money to continue to purchase $12 liters of DEF fluid at the Mercedes dealer!
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