Brown as fuck: 2001 BMW X5 3.0 - Exxon5!

[Kiltox]

Only one worth buying is the Avin, but you can get an X5 cheaper.

Are the cheaper ones proper shit then?

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Are the cheaper ones proper shit then?

I don't want to believe they are shit but suspect they are.

 

 

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[BavarianRetro]

Are the cheaper ones proper shit then?

Yes. Generally.

 

Additionally, If your car has factory nav and screen, all the modules are in the back, so you need a four metre extension cable to fit anything.

[SierraMikeHotel]

 

 

What is the general opinion of these “looks like OE” Android powered head units?

Mine is a Kenwood, it's just a screen so would look at home anywhere. I'm really happy with it - it does everything and sounds great. Sat nav works off the phone, and there's a discreet little DAB aerial on the windscreen. I keep meaning to do an in depth review on my thread, I'll get around to it one day!

[Bucketeer]

I'm genuinely curious, what does an Android head unit give you that a £10 Bluetooth FM transmitter thing connected to your phone doesn't?

[Lacquer Peel]

I'm genuinely curious, what does an Android head unit give you that a £10 Bluetooth FM transmitter thing connected to your phone doesn't?

A touchscreen in your older car like the new cars have.

[Kiltox]

Also not having to use your phone for music, navigation etc - which for shorter journeys can be more of a faff than it’s worth.

 

The nav/radio/etc in the X5 is horribly dated - it’s almost worse than just having a less fancy head unit.

[SierraMikeHotel]

It sends certain software to the dashboard screen - so I have access to sat nav (Google maps or Waze) that will always be up-to-date and has traffic information, access to all my music and other audio apps like podcasts, and i got a hands-free kit thrown in.

 

Because it's all running from your phone they're cheaper than a head unit with nav built in.

 

Really happy with mine, it used to be a right pain getting my phone into the holder if I needed nav!

[Bucketeer]

It sends certain software to the dashboard screen

Ah okay, that I didn't know (I've never had a car with a screen). I imagined they were just another way of connecting your phone to the audio output. A car stereo with a USB socket is Jetsons futuristic to me.

[SierraMikeHotel]

I sometimes feel like I'm going backwards while going forwards, I love old cars but the possibilities of modern technology are pretty amazing too!

 

By coincidence, I saw an episode of Fifth Gear the other day where they installed a modern head unit into an older Audi (one of the sportier A4s?)

 

Their point, which I totally agree with, was that it was still a brilliant modern car but the only thing that gave away its age was the cassette deck in the dash.

[Pillock]

I'm genuinely curious, what does an Android head unit give you that a £10 Bluetooth FM transmitter thing connected to your phone doesn't?

 

There's two types. 

You can get cheap Chinese head units that have Android running on them, basically a tablet PC with buttons around the edge, a touchscreen, probably an SD card slot. Might have an FM radio but it'll be crap, no RDS and weird frequencies. They're..... interesting. They will take a while to boot up just like your phone would, often run older versions of Android so sometimes apps don't work properly. They'll also need pairing with a phone to provide network connectivity, some you can plug a 3G Dongle into. They're often tricky to use as you're dealing with phone-scale user interface.

 

Then you get "Android Auto" head units. These are a proper head unit made by the likes of Kenwood, Sony etc. Very fast startup, can have CD players and DAB radio, whatever. The Android bit comes in as when you install the Android Auto app on your phone and connect it (USB or Bluetooth), your phone streams information to the head unit so your map app appears there, music, calls. It's not just screen mirroring, it actually changes the interface so it's touch-friendly, but the apps are running on your phone. Disconnect and it's just a regular head unit.

 

If you want to try Android Auto, you can install the app and use your phone display. Set it to launch when it detects your Bluetooth connection and you get the driving interface, I use it with my phone in a holder.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Ah okay, that I didn't know (I've never had a car with a screen). I imagined they were just another way of connecting your phone to the audio output. A car stereo with a USB socket is Jetsons futuristic to me.

Also ability to hook up a reversing camera. Another modern innovation I scoffed at until work bought a new L200 with one fitted, and I used it a fair bit. You very quickly get used to having one

 

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[hennabm]

How's the mahogany motor going Mr Kiltox?

[Kiltox]

How's the mahogany motor going Mr Kiltox?

Not bad at all, touch wood.

 

Need to check out the oil leak at some point

[Kiltox]

Well, Autoshite, this has...... still nothing to report.

 

No heinous FTP story yet but it’s doing a big journey soon so that’ll obviously be the time.

 

Wiper blades are knackered - the rear one looks like it barely touches the screen. I notice arm and blade sets on eBay for buttons suggesting they commonly need replacing or will just a blade do?

 

NSF side light is out again - haven’t had any bother with the headlight since I changed out the Lucas bulb so I’ll do the same with the side light one. Started fucking about again after going through a car wash so I’m guessing the headlight unit has seen better days.

 

Definite smell of oil after driving it hard, reckon it’s leaking onto something warm.

[Guest Hooli]

How has this not exploderated yet?

[rantingYoof]

I'll have you know I don't accidentally find explodery cars for people.

 

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[Guest Hooli]

I'm glad to hear it's all deliberate!

[rantingYoof]

[hennabm]

Well for the first time mine gave me an FTP.

 

The battery was too dicharged to start it after a week standing. I've left it for longer before and no problems. So either the alarm was activated or there is a problem. Looking at t'internet there seems to be an issue with the X5 waking up by itself and draining the battery. The giveaway is the gear selector light by the lever; if that is lit then the car is not asleep. This can be down to either the TCM - so pull fuse 74  - or the heater fab switch - change. Mind you, there is a 16-18 minute delay after locking before it goes to sleep, making diagnosis a lengthy process.

In the meantime a set of jump leads and a slave battery are the order of the day.

 

In better news the trip home resulted in it breaking into the 20mpg for the first time....

 

Glad to know yours is doing well Mr K.

[BavarianRetro]

Rear wiper arms are prone to not allowing the blade to touch the screen.

 

FSR "hedgehog" known for battery drains too.

[Aston Martin]

I believe that Kiltox can sod off, I saw one of these.

 

[Kiltox]

Rear wiper arms are prone to not allowing the blade to touch the screen.

 

FSR "hedgehog" known for battery drains too.

Sound, for £8.50 I’ll replace the arm and blade at once then

[meshking]

Well for the first time mine gave me an FTP.

 

The battery was too dicharged to start it after a week standing. I've left it for longer before and no problems. So either the alarm was activated or there is a problem. Looking at t'internet there seems to be an issue with the X5 waking up by itself and draining the battery. The giveaway is the gear selector light by the lever; if that is lit then the car is not asleep. This can be down to either the TCM - so pull fuse 74 - or the heater fab switch - change. Mind you, there is a 16-18 minute delay after locking before it goes to sleep, making diagnosis a lengthy process.

In the meantime a set of jump leads and a slave battery are the order of the day.

 

In better news the trip home resulted in it breaking into the 20mpg for the first time....

 

Glad to know yours is doing well Mr K.

Wow, I never knew that when BMW bought and pillaged Rover they took the electrics from the p38 as a starting point for the x5.

[hennabm]

Rear wiper arms are prone to not allowing the blade to touch the screen.

FSR "hedgehog" known for battery drains too.

FSR?

[stripped fred]

FSR?

Googled it, it means final stage resistor. Is it to do with the heater blower?

[bangernomics]

Mine is a Kenwood, it's just a screen so would look at home anywhere. I'm really happy with it - it does everything and sounds great. Sat nav works off the phone, and there's a discreet little DAB aerial on the windscreen. I keep meaning to do an in depth review on my thread, I'll get around to it one day!

Interested in this please hurry.

 

 

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[SierraMikeHotel]

Interested in this please hurry.

 

 

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Noted! Sorry, I have been very slack.

[Kiltox]

Windscreen is still pissing me off big time so as a final attempt to sort it before it gets a brick through it, I’ve ordered a bottle of Ceriglass and some rayon polishing pads for my DA polisher.... gulp!

[Jazoli]

Windscreen is still pissing me off big time so as a final attempt to sort it before it gets a brick through it, I’ve ordered a bottle of Ceriglass and some rayon polishing pads for my DA polisher.... gulp!

Ah that's what it's called I couldn't remember, I'm going to order some to do the windscreen on the jag as driving in the dark and rain isn't fun presently.