Car Audio Specialists

[sunny-dave]

Tentatively (because I really don't want to invite a load of spam) ...

... can anyone give a personal recommendation for some Car Audio Experts somewhere within sensible distance of me (Coventry / North Warwickshire).

I want to take the original unit (a not very good touchscreen radio with PratNav and Parrot) out of my Saab 9-5 and replace it with a decent DAB system - preferably retaining the use of the controls on the steering wheel and possibly (although this is pretty unlikely) connecting the current CD multichanger too. I don't want/need a satnav - I have a better one in my phone & anyway can read maps.

It's a far from trivial job which is probably beyond "DiY by Dave" (so don't even suggest H**fords either) - it will need various blanking plates and adaptors and probably a fitter with tiny hands and a universal joint in his/her wrist.

Any ideas?

Cheers

dave x

[mccfluff]

you could ring tam auto electrics, don;t know if they can do it but they have been recommended for other jobs i've needed doing with the radios

01827 67539

[sunny-dave]

Thanks Fluff - will give them a call later.

[ChuckFickens]

Well you definitely won't be able to use the current CD changer, the Saab CD changers use the cars CAN bus, as do the steering wheel controls so they are going to be tricky to retain too.

Oh, and Saab speakers are really strange impedances (1.8ohm in the front, 3.6 in the back... what were they thinking!)

[sunny-dave]

I think you can get CAN bus adaptors (at least for the steering wheel controls) ... but that's just the sort of can of wriggly things that I expected - hence the need for a specialist fitter.

[mccfluff]

http://www.mobilesolutions.uk.com/

these guys did a bloody good job retrofitting a reversing camera into a brand new evoque. (derby branch)

[tonyav]

http://www.saabcentral.com/index.htm

This is a very good site for tec questions about your SAAB, dave.

[sunny-dave]

Found that already Tony - very helpful, thanks

dave

[douglas9401]

I've used these guys in the past, Dave. Not for install but good gear at a decent price.

http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/index.html

[sunny-dave]

Thanks Douglas - another useful site.

[tonyav]

Dave, it will be very difficult to be able to keep your steering wheel control.

[douglas9401]

As far as your controls go Dave, Connects2 do an iterface but you have to make sure that the headunit you're replacing can do the job.
Most Kenwood, JVC, some Pioneer and Sony with suitable brand specific patch leads will work. Check in the unt spec to confirm.
A CanBus interface + patch can run up to £70.00 so maybe it's not too far to stretch. :)

[douglas9401]

Whoops!

http://www.connects2.co.uk/ProductRange.aspx