New headunit question

[KwlAznKid]

hey guys

I'm looking into getting a new headunit for my 996, I want to get a flip out screen one, but I'm a total audio noob, so I have a bunch of questions I was hoping you guys could help me out with. TIA

i'm looking for one that has gps at least, most of the ones i've seen that have gps come with a dvd player too i guess

-around how much should i be planning to spend for this?

-does it matter which one i get in terms of fitment? will any of them fit?

-how easy is the install? should i take it to a audio shop or is diy possible?

-any recommended models or brands?

-anything to watch out for?

thanks everyone

jon

[Loren]

You will need to tell folks here your model year as the MY02 and newer cars are very different.

[cmgleason]

As Loren points out it would be best to know what year your vehicle is as the latter models have the MOST optical bus. Essentially that means that you need to change the amplifier if you are changing the head unit which makes it more expensive. The speakers can be part of the new system or you can change them out at the same time. I kept mine. With that said installation is possible for a DIY but is not straight forward. I saved $1950 doing it myself which was a combination of purchasing the unit & the options from an authorized dealer on the web-a must for warranty as well as the factory rebate of $150 not to mention the high installation cost since it was a "996 Porsche". There are a number of good posts which you can search for installation info. Personally I have just completed the install of the lastest Kenwood DNX 9140 which has all the features you have described. It uses the Garmin nav system, voice command which helps if your car is manual & has built in bluetooth plus all the other bells & whistles. I have a rear view camera as an option. The Pioneer units that I looked at are also quite good. I'd start with a review of the factory web sites & then visit a store like Best Buy. One differance is the screen display which is larger on the Kenwood units since they do not have the manual switches adjacent to the screen. If you have it installed by an audio shop with speakers & options you may be looking at $3500-$4000 which is what I was quoted by several differant shops. The head unit alone at the low end with rebate will be $1200. Hope this helps. CMG

[KwlAznKid]

As Loren points out it would be best to know what year your vehicle is as the latter models have the MOST optical bus. Essentially that means that you need to change the amplifier if you are changing the head unit which makes it more expensive. The speakers can be part of the new system or you can change them out at the same time. I kept mine. With that said installation is possible for a DIY but is not straight forward. I saved $1950 doing it myself which was a combination of purchasing the unit & the options from an authorized dealer on the web-a must for warranty as well as the factory rebate of $150 not to mention the high installation cost since it was a "996 Porsche". There are a number of good posts which you can search for installation info. Personally I have just completed the install of the lastest Kenwood DNX 9140 which has all the features you have described. It uses the Garmin nav system, voice command which helps if your car is manual & has built in bluetooth plus all the other bells & whistles. I have a rear view camera as an option. The Pioneer units that I looked at are also quite good. I'd start with a review of the factory web sites & then visit a store like Best Buy. One differance is the screen display which is larger on the Kenwood units since they do not have the manual switches adjacent to the screen. If you have it installed by an audio shop with speakers & options you may be looking at $3500-$4000 which is what I was quoted by several differant shops. The head unit alone at the low end with rebate will be $1200. Hope this helps. CMG

woops sorry, my car's an mk1 1999. thanks for the information! i'm mainly concerned with just the price for the head unit, since i love diy-ing things. so if i read your post correctly i should be prepared to spent a bit over a grand?

[michael573114]

woops sorry, my car's an mk1 1999. thanks for the information! i'm mainly concerned with just the price for the head unit, since i love diy-ing things. so if i read your post correctly i should be prepared to spent a bit over a grand?

Really depends on the head unit you want. You could spend $50, could spend $3000. Up to you.

I did the Kenwood DNX-7140 install myself, finished it up this past weekend. I just wish it wouldn't lock up when I plug my phone into the USB... details...

[KwlAznKid]

woops sorry, my car's an mk1 1999. thanks for the information! i'm mainly concerned with just the price for the head unit, since i love diy-ing things. so if i read your post correctly i should be prepared to spent a bit over a grand?

Really depends on the head unit you want. You could spend $50, could spend $3000. Up to you.

I did the Kenwood DNX-7140 install myself, finished it up this past weekend. I just wish it wouldn't lock up when I plug my phone into the USB... details...

i guess i wouldn't mind a cheap one, i'm notl real big on audio stuff, mainly getting it for the navi, but how about my installation questions? do the units all fit or do i have to look for specifications? and hows installing the gps stuff? ez or hard? thanks!

[cmgleason]

Here are a couple of links to threads on this site regarding the installation of an aftermarket head unit. In order to install a doouble din unit you'll probably need the installation kit described which is available on e-bay. http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...616&hl=avic & http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...hl=kenwood+8120

I'd also suggest a search for other information on this site regarding the installation from which you will be able to determine if your skill sets match the task or rarther how much time it may require from you to do an install not to mention the broken parts that are inevitable in an endeavor like this. In my case I invested many hours or was it days? doing the research before I attempted the install. Like you I am not an audiophile which is why I kept the factory speakers which with the new amp and head unit sound great. In your case you might get by with a better quality top end Kenwood or Pioneer at around $1200 & use the head unit amplifier as opposed to installing a new amp. Just be aware that the specs on the HU output are measured at optimum & in reality are probably half of that when installed. You can check www.crutchfield.com for good info on units & requirements. CMG