Had my Double DIN Installed by a Mobile Audio Shop

I do most of my work and any fabrication for my car(s).

I purchased all the hardware needed based around the Eclipse AVN 5435. . .an 8 CD changer, Sirius, Alpine TV tuner, Rich Silva's (mybimmer.net) custom e46 bezel (very nice), and any miscellaneous adapters to hook up the new system to my OEM Harmon Kardon equipped 2001 330i sport. I collected all the info from this site to do the double DIN install. The ac duct mod and fabrication didn't scare me. Finding the time to do it was the factor in vending the job out.

The installer was aware of the duct work mod that lie ahead for an e46 double DIN install. He does a lot of custom work so no problem. He highly complimented Rich's bezel. Kudos to you Rich!!

To make a long story short, he had my car for 3 days (I'm glad my wife has her new X5 sport. That way I could drive her other car in the meantime)! The first day he would call to ask me about antenna locations for aesthetics and functionality. After that initial day, his calls took a turn. . .basically he would say "I'll NEVER do this ever again!" My hearing those very words was scary coming from a noted custom installer.

Yet through his pain (and his crew's) and aggravation, the ac duct is tightly sealed with everything working as normal. He revised the duct's rod and any flaps so that it would work like it did BEFORE the modification.

The dash looks OE with Rich's beautiful bezel, and everything works just as beautifully with Danny and his crew's (Sound Station in Newhall, California) install. ---Finally, my lengthy commutes on Los Angeles highways will be more entertaining. A BIG thanks to Rich, Danny and his crew, and to the e46fanatics members!!

Danny will NEVER do another e46 double DIN install. I've read about these same feelings of other installers in this forum. . .

So where are the pics man? I love seeing different double DIN installs.

Originally Posted by russ330

So where are the pics man? I love seeing different double DIN installs.

Sorry no install "during" pics. I wish some were taken for e46 Fanatics. I don't even know how the ducting mod looks like. All I know is that everything is working, including the the ac duct and its controls.

I'll post install "finished" pics soon. My home computer is down.

My double DIN looks exactly like Jason Weaver's except I have the wood trim:

lol
I was about to say the installer scratched your bezel

Originally Posted by dirsh

lol
I was about to say the installer scratched your bezel

It's not mine. . .lol. . .this one belongs to Jason.

BTW, I'm glad I sent the car to the shop to have the install done. It was worth the $500 for their labor (pain and aggravation). Besides cutting the duct, in most or all cases for the the double DIN fitment (according to e46Fanatics posts), the rod controlling the flaps in the AC duct is disconnected due to additional clearance problems. Of course this hinders climate control performance. In my case, the installer engineered a new rod so that the flaps are still operable at OEM specs. And after the install, the feel of the AC and heater temps at upper level (windshield), mid level (vents), and lower level (footwells), is as cold and hot as it was BEFORE the install. And the BEST part. . .all levels are still controlled by the operable duct flaps.

Congrats on your new ICE and Rich bezel is the best OEM looking trim. I got one for my CarPC install too.

Charlie

Thanks man, glad you're happy with it!

He revised the duct's rod and any flaps so that it would work like it did BEFORE the modification.

That's impressive.
Most people just disable the arm.

Now it's time to get one for the Wife's X5!!!

-Rich

damn bro 500 bills thats alot at jp autosound in Orange county does it for 400.00 with the swi-x steering wheel control

500s cheap i was quoted 1800 INSTALL ONLY by the only local place willing to take it on.... i told them ill do it myself

....never did haha

BTW. . .Danny at Sound Station (Newhall, California; Magic Mountain area) took back his "I'll never do this again." Basically, he's now saying everything has a price including the dreadful e46 double DIN install. LOL

Originally Posted by SrCsTc

Thanks man, glad you're happy with it!

-Rich

Rich,

Very, very nice quality bezel. Thanks for the guidance as well. I couldn't be happier!

I was stoked that Danny, the installer, made the ac mechanicals work as normal after modifying ducts.

Can't wait to see.

I just ordered the same head unit and bezel. I'm so excited!!!

The rod he told you about only controls the opening/closing of the driver's side floor vent. Most people remove it leaving the driver's side floor vent either always open or always closed. It is possible to modify it, like your installer did, to retain control of the driver's side floor vent. Everything else works fine either way.


-Rich

Always nice to have OEM functionality of all vents after any type of mod to fit any head unit.

I got mine done for $280, at Z AUTO SOUND in Orange, CA. The install worked great, took 2 days, but it didnt look as good as i wanted it to, so i am putting in a bezel from rich!

Originally Posted by thesethoughtsru

I got mine done for $280, at Z AUTO SOUND in Orange, CA. The install worked great, took 2 days, but it didnt look as good as i wanted it to, so i am putting in a bezel from rich!

Rich's bezel is top notch!! OEM looks, tight fitting, and nicely finished. Well worth the wait and the money!

Ooops. . .my install was done at Soundsation. . .NOT Sound Station.

Ooops. . .my install was done at Soundsation. . .NOT Sound Station.

hey SrCsTc.. how much does all that for the computer thing cost if you did a customer?.. If the price is right.. i'm willing to drive all the way to nj just to do mine.. let me know.. got cash in hand..thanks..