[skinrock]

I tried searching on here for "double din" and wasn't getting any good hits. I found a couple threads that posted links to foreign sites, which I don't really want to buy from. Someone mentioned they had a Metra kit, but I couldn't find it.

Just wondering if anyone bought or has found a high quality (i.e. flush mount) kit from a reputable store.

Thanks

[AcExSpades]

I have a Metra kit. The part number is 95-9306B. Be aware though, that thin part in the middle tends to bend. I have it on mine, and it looks bad. I'll take a pic when I get out of work.

[skinrock]

Thanks for the link. I must have goofed when I tried searching for their site earlier.

Does it bend as a result of the install, or did it seem to be molded improperly?

[AcExSpades]

When it was done on my car and I picked it up it had that gap. I'm not sure if I got a bad one(hopefully) or if it was due to the installation, so I really don't know.

[skinrock]

I wonder why Metra makes the kit, but Crutchfield doesn't seem to acknowledge it. They say only a single-din will fit.

[RazRokz.!]

Originally Posted by skinrock

I wonder why Metra makes the kit, but Crutchfield doesn't seem to acknowledge it. They say only a single-din will fit.

try rich's bezel > www.mybimmer.net

[bmw325i]

Originally Posted by RazRokz.!

try rich's bezel > www.mybimmer.net

2 reasons I won't buy that kit

1. Seriously $200 for a piece of plastic
2. The head units too low

Maybe if the head unit was on top and the fit was better than metra I'd buy it, despite the ridiculous price.

[manu328]

I just got a Dynavin from jlevisw and am loving it local install was easy and would recommend it if you wanted something that looked and functioned almost like factory....

[skinrock]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

2 reasons I won't buy that kit

1. Seriously $200 for a piece of plastic
2. The head units too low

Maybe if the head unit was on top and the fit was better than metra I'd buy it, despite the ridiculous price.

2 rebuttals:

1. It's a custom design he made and not mass produced, he can't sell it as cheap as Metra can.

2. It's all relative, if you don't like that design, it's not for you. Personally I kinda like the flow better with the way the dash angles inwards as it goes down, just like how the temp controls are wider than the display.

Personally I think the Metra kit is pretty shitty based on the pics I have seen. The bottom lip sticks out nearly a 1/4" because of their design. From a company like them, and a car like ours, I would expect it to at least sit flush with the trim.

[bmw325i]

Originally Posted by skinrock

2 rebuttals:

1. It's a custom design he made and not mass produced, he can't sell it as cheap as Metra can.

2. It's all relative, if you don't like that design, it's not for you. Personally I kinda like the flow better with the way the dash angles inwards as it goes down, just like how the temp controls are wider than the display.

Personally I think the Metra kit is pretty shitty based on the pics I have seen. The bottom lip sticks out nearly a 1/4" because of their design. From a company like them, and a car like ours, I would expect it to at least sit flush with the trim.

Fair enough but thats probably 10 times as much as the metra kit (I dont know the exact price of the metra kit and don't feel like checking). Sure it can't be sold as cheap as one that is mass produced. I would probably still buy it if the head unit was on top and it was still flush at the bottom. But thats just my opinion on what I think looks best.

[bimmercub]

I am with you guys, metra kits sucks big time. I like how this one looks and better than all looks very clean. One question, what about the amp? will it accept the radio like that with no modifications.

[AndreyT]

Metra bezel looks awful. The bezel from www.mybimmer.net looks better, but I'm not a big fan of upside-down layout. For those interested in navi it would be better to have it higher in the center console.

What I saw on this forum is this

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...73&postcount=4



Not perfect, but it looks significantly better than Metra bezel, at least in that picture.

However, this is basically the only reference to this kit I ever saw anywhere. The European Pioneer web site has a product page for item CTSBM005FPAE, which seems to be virtually empty.

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/2...PAE/index.html

Has anyone seen this kit in the wild? It would be nice to see more pictures of it. Is there any way to purchase that Pioneer kit in USA?

[skinrock]

I remember seeing that kit when I was planning on doing an install. I couldn't find much info on it either.

[skinrock]

Originally Posted by bimmercub

I am with you guys, metra kits sucks big time. I like how this one looks and better than all looks very clean. One question, what about the amp? will it accept the radio like that with no modifications.

That's an entirely separate issue. Depends on the system you currently have in your car.

[bimmercub]

I do have what is called the black amp. I do think is called HI FI...? Nothing fancy

[mosx]

Originally Posted by AndreyT

What I saw on this forum is this

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...73&postcount=4



Not perfect, but it looks significantly better than Metra bezel, at least in that picture.

However, this is basically the only reference to this kit I ever saw anywhere. The European Pioneer web site has a product page for item CTSBM005FPAE, which seems to be virtually empty.

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/2...PAE/index.html

Has anyone seen this kit in the wild? It would be nice to see more pictures of it. Is there any way to purchase that Pioneer kit in USA?

I've seen this kit in person and it looks like garbage. It sticks out at the bottom just like the metra kit. The problem is the climate controls don't fit in that lower slot without modification so it has to stick out. Only way to have it sit flush is to mount the HVAC controls up top.

[mosx]

Just FYI, Rich's kit requires you to fabricate additional pieces. Of course he doesn't tell you this anywhere on his website. So you end up with a plastic piece and then you have to cut your own "dash kit" to actually fit the radio in the dash. For $200 you'd think it comes with everything. Anyway if you don't have wood working tools his kit is pretty much a worthless piece of plastic.

[skinrock]

Originally Posted by mosx

Just FYI, Rich's kit requires you to fabricate additional pieces. Of course he doesn't tell you this anywhere on his website. So you end up with a plastic piece and then you have to cut your own "dash kit" to actually fit the radio in the dash. For $200 you'd think it comes with everything. Anyway if you don't have wood working tools his kit is pretty much a worthless piece of plastic.

I forgot to mention that - I agree, he should have that on the site. I only found out because I saw another thread about it. I would be pissed if I order that and found out it wasn't ready out of the box.

[Hankster]

I found this on amazon, has anyone ever see the actual thing or even bought one and installed? http://www.amazon.com/Beat-Sonic-PK0...4844892&sr=8-9

[skinrock]

Originally Posted by Hankster

I found this on amazon, has anyone ever see the actual thing or even bought one and installed? http://www.amazon.com/Beat-Sonic-PK0...4844892&sr=8-9

Someone posted the same thing (or at least very similar) a few posts up. No way I'd spend $280 on it.

[soursamo]

Originally Posted by skinrock

I forgot to mention that - I agree, he should have that on the site. I only found out because I saw another thread about it. I would be pissed if I order that and found out it wasn't ready out of the box.

I actually have this kit. Yeah finding out a template had to be made was a huge bummer, that drove my install price up.
After spending hours finangling it I finally have it fitting super solid and it looks great.
Only issue is the finish on the plastic is SUPER sensitive to cleaners and such. I may pull it all out and put a new finish on because of it.

I'll try and get some pics shortly.

[mosx]

If you want something like Rich's kit without all the headaches there is a company in Germany that makes something very similar for about the same price except it comes with the "kit" you need to install it your dash. If Rich wasn't going to cut the wood for me I would have returned it and bought this instead

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E...mZ220841722145

EDIT:
Here is their website in case you stumble on this thread years after I wrote it and that ebay link is expired:

http://www.janus-design.net/english/...edin/index.php