Android Head unit fitting - A serious disappointment

[T16]

So I just test fitted an android head unit, and to my amazement, I had the sticking out at the bottom by a MILE issue, which looked totally RUBBISH.

No problem I thought, must be some cables preventing it at the back..

I check this, ER NEGATIVE... OK, so what the hell is going on? I investigate further, and to my surprise the unit is HARD up against the cut out for the stereo in the center console. I ground the tabs to PERFECTION using the dimensions of the width of the original Rover as a guide, and the tabs fitted bang against the flats where the locating screws, so the unit was in as far as it could go.

Even further investigation revealed, that the bottom of the unit where the problem is, was actually hard up against the centre console, meaning no amount of clips or anything else will improve the situation. The bottom of the unit is TOO ***king thick front to back. I just about manage to capture some pictures of the tiny bit of metal sticking out either side, and its hard butted against the sides of the hole. Pressing the bottom firmly, you can see the centre console flex.

I am deeply unhappy about this, as I spent a massive amount of time doing it all like a factory finish, even sourcing nice BMW connectors for the SWC so it was all like a proper plug and play loom.

Are some of the units different dimensions to others? As far as I see it, there is no way around this, but the sticking out at the bottom, and the large gaps either side make me think that it is just not fit for purpose.

Before I lose my damn mind with frustration, can anyone tell me if this is essentially as good as it gets, because if so, I'd rather have the Kenwood back in tbh. Have I just wasted my time, effort and money? If the dash is cut, then the unit is effectively swinging in the hole right? there will be no support for the thing!! Not acceptable. I really need something to actually go right at the moment, things suck, I am ill, the car needs load of jobs, nothing is going right and this is the last straw.

Here are the pics:-

1) Just WTF?





2) Unit hard up against the center console cut out




3)



4)


5)

Pro job on the tabs, to original Hiline specification dimensions wise:-






To add insult to injury, look at the mm perfect fitting on an E46.....

[Sjonnie]

Just a thought: when re-fitting the climate control unit, use some washers between the unit and the center console on the top. That will make the top of the climate control unit protrude a bit more thus coming flush with the radio.

Not perfect but less annoying and hardly visible for people not familiar with the car

HTH

[Les4048]

That’s just how it is, my one is the same so just try not to look at it

[Kennyeth]

My Naval 2 sticks out at the bottom. When fitting it a couple of years ago I took it out (no funnies please) three or four times and finally gave up.
Personally I tend to keep my eyes on the road and it bothers me not now.
Ken.

[Dallas]

I was lead to believe these units were OEM factory fit, but I have been told by a few members now that they don't exactly fit. Like you, they have the unit sticking out at the bottom.

I like you purchased a second-hand E46 style unit, I didn't even get as far as fully installing the unit as it was faulty, so I cant give you any pointers to the installation.

In the end I purchased a universal android unit along with the Rover 75 fascia adapter surround, it actually looks factory fit. You are still faced with a snug fit, but the unit does fit in perfectly once the wires are tucked away neatly.

[Kennyeth]

Originally Posted by Dallas

I was lead to believe these units were OEM factory fit, but I have been told by a few members now that they don't exactly fit. Like you, they have the unit sticking out at the bottom.

I like you purchased a second-hand E46 style unit, I didn't even get as far as fully installing the unit as it was faulty, so I cant give you any pointers to the installation.

In the end I purchased a universal android unit along with the Rover 75 fascia adapter surround, it actually looks factory fit. You are still faced with a snug fit, but the unit does fit in perfectly once the wires are tucked away neatly.

In my case it were all the cables at the back that were being awkward, I believe it can be fitted for a flush fit you just need patience.
Ken.

[mystabe]

Has it got the spring clips at the bottom front corners? a lot don't seem to and they make a surprisingly big difference!

I'd still pull it out and put it in the bin myself because this will probably be the first in a series of disappointments.



Edit: I've just had a look and one of the ones in my pile of **** still has the clips, I'll happily put them in the post if yours doesn't have them

[alanaslan]

Originally Posted by Sjonnie

Just a thought: when re-fitting the climate control unit, use some washers between the unit and the center console on the top. That will make the top of the climate control unit protrude a bit more thus coming flush with the radio.

Not perfect but less annoying and hardly visible for people not familiar with the car

HTH

I am surprised that you are having such great problems, I see from the pictures that there is a problem. I have fitted four Android head units and have never had this problem. Two of the units were purchased from Sean the Radioguy the other two have been fleebay purchases. I have only fitted these to original Hiline cars with the Alpine head unit originally fitted by Rover.
The only problem I have come across is that the steering wheel remote switch box can get in the way. As this is not required for use with the Navall head units I fully remove the white control box. Giving greater front to back space for the installation of an after market head unit.
Navall units I have found to be great and fit well in the double din space thanks to them only being a single din unit with a double din face on it. Most other units have a double din casting, which can cause problems with the units protruding a few mm at the bottom.
The volume of equipment I have behind the centre panel would scare most people I have a full loom that runs front back of the car with relay packs fitted alongside the OBD 2 socket under the the steering column.
The first time I built in a new head unit I had not realised that there are standard connectors at the bottom of the centre unit. Because of this I had run cables back from the spare wheel well to the head unit. I was fitting an old kenwood system cd multi changer cassette unit and am fm wireless. Now I fit android head units in to the cars freeing up masses of space in the boot or spare wheel well and recovering the glove box, I could never understand why the chose to fit the CD changer in the glove box. Not to mention the extra space in the Tourers O/S rear cubby after stripping out the sat nav unit.
You could make the whole front look better by applying walnut facing if you can get your hands on the good stuff ie the plastic vinyl laminate that is several mm thick as opposed to thin veneer.
I think that Sean can help with this. The man I use lives in Poland and has made me custom panels for many cars over the years. I am reasonably sure that Sean also uses the same source.
With careful application of the veneer it will easily take up the uneven finish you currently have.
Hope some of this helps and list you you are not alone when it comes to problems when fitting aftermarket wireless units to your car. Hope you solve your problem soon and get the finish you are looking for.
Regards Alan


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Sjonnie]

Originally Posted by alanaslan

I am surprised that you are having such great problems, I see from the pictures that there is a problem. I have fitted four Android head units and have never had this problem. Two of the units were purchased from Sean the Radioguy the other two have been fleebay purchases. I have only fitted these to original Hiline cars with the Alpine head unit originally fitted by Rover.
The only problem I have come across is that the steering wheel remote switch box can get in the way. As this is not required for use with the Navall head units I fully remove the white control box. Giving greater front to back space for the installation of an after market head unit.
Navall units I have found to be great and fit well in the double din space thanks to them only being a single din unit with a double din face on it. Most other units have a double din casting, which can cause problems with the units protruding a few mm at the bottom.
The volume of equipment I have behind the centre panel would scare most people I have a full loom that runs front back of the car with relay packs fitted alongside the OBD 2 socket under the the steering column.
The first time I built in a new head unit I had not realised that there are standard connectors at the bottom of the centre unit. Because of this I had run cables back from the spare wheel well to the head unit. I was fitting an old kenwood system cd multi changer cassette unit and am fm wireless. Now I fit android head units in to the cars freeing up masses of space in the boot or spare wheel well and recovering the glove box, I could never understand why the chose to fit the CD changer in the glove box. Not to mention the extra space in the Tourers O/S rear cubby after stripping out the sat nav unit.
You could make the whole front look better by applying walnut facing if you can get your hands on the good stuff ie the plastic vinyl laminate that is several mm thick as opposed to thin veneer.
I think that Sean can help with this. The man I use lives in Poland and has made me custom panels for many cars over the years. I am reasonably sure that Sean also uses the same source.
With careful application of the veneer it will easily take up the uneven finish you currently have.
Hope some of this helps and list you you are not alone when it comes to problems when fitting aftermarket wireless units to your car. Hope you solve your problem soon and get the finish you are looking for.
Regards Alan


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Maybe you quoted the wrong message? I have no problem with the fitting of my NavAll 1. I put it in almost 4 years ago and have not removed it since. If I look very closely lying on the floor of the car I might see that the unit is not 100% flush with the CCM. That is not my regular position in the ZT

The reason I suggested washers was to help the OP find a solution.

In my humble opinion all the wallnutty bits (ie to cover the CCM or even the HU ) are a bit much for my taste. No disrespect!

[T16]

OK guys here's what Ive done, and ill put a proper guide and report with pics up for people after ive finished.

Ive modified the Xtrons. Most of the inside is fresh air, therefore the metal and plastic at the corners where it touches the lugs poses zero issue. Ive removed EXACTLY the right amount of metal and plastic so that its 100% identical thickness to the OE fitments. (well to the nearest 1/10th of a mm)

Now, this has made it a million times better, but with the application of a little grease around the hole and a mirror, I see my excellent modification job clears the little tabs, but still wont go back the full way. (nearly though)

With a little more grease as a tracer, I see that the hole has remnents of where its not been cut properly from the factory at the sides, and there are "shards" of about 1-2mm wide and about an inch long either side and they touch the very edges of the unit.

What I will do is tidy up the hole and take off these rougue bits, and that should be it!

Heres a pic stolen off the internet of what I mean...




You can see the little bit that are not quite cut out properly above the two tabs, these need a little shave down, then the unit will fit perfectly.

My modification clears both tabs, as I could see with a mirror, and also an application of tracer grease showed none of the tabs were touching the headunit in the area I modified.

Im quite pleased with myself, as the result looks like its been made like that from the factory. Something I always strive for when doing ANYthing on any car.

So I will do a guide for Xtrons people, but it DOES involve breaking the warranty sticker, taking the lid off, so you can unscrew the plastic front and do the job right, and not bodge it and leave metal filings inside the unit.

Still, its the RIGHT way to do the job, maybe sellers could add on a fee for pre-modification before selling to ensure a 100% original looking fit.

I cannot say anything about Navalls or anyother unit, only the Xtrons

I think it's safe to say these dash holes were probably cut by someones mum, or perhaps a chimp at the factory.. I mean.. check this guys hole.... (insert rude joke here)




There are not even attempts at little tabs like most of them, just a wavering saw line!! What an abomination! Guarantee you'd never see that on a German vehicle. At least mine has two distinct squares that someone bothered to try and make look professional, so there is that at least. If it was like the above... I would have quit while I was ahead and just returned the unit.