Aftermarket stereo - which fascia?

[Gebbly]

I am slowly getting a new stereo unit working in my z4m. I have several bits of functionality working and now I am trying to fit the fascia. I bought a Connects2 CT24BM06 fascia as it said it was for a z4 of the correct year. However upon trying it, it is the incorrect size. Once it is in I cannot fit the blower unit back on top of it. I measured it and the fascia is about 5mm taller than the original stereo


I know the second measurement doesnt look quite right but its just the angle of the camera whilst trying to hold it, the fascia and the tape measure at the same time. The fascia is definitely 6cm in height.

I have seen a different fascia used by @Jamie_z4 here which looks like it would fit the aperture and allow the blowers to fit too.

Could anyone tell me of a fascia for a 1din head unit that they know is the correct dimensions for a z4m please? (or what the one is used by Jamie_z4 and where I could get that one?)

 

[SimonAW]

I'm not sure you will find anything better. All of the facias I have seen are of two types, the type you have, and another type that is flat. Neither are great.

I have the one that you have I think. From what I remember, the vents go in first then you slot the stereo in place. You can see my setup in the thread at this Linky

I could be wrong but that what I seem to recall...

 

[Z44Jon]

Fits really well in my sons car, so much so that i might change my own to the same

 

[Gebbly]

vents go in first then you slot the stereo in place

Fits really well

Thanks guys

The fascia I have is in 2 parts, the part that sits snug around the new stereo has the screw holes in and screws to the mounting points. Then there is a front piece that clicks into place hiding the screws. The only way to remove the front piece is to reach behind it and squeeze the part that clicked into place.

From your photos it looks like you both installed the air vent unit then the top lip of the fascia sits in front of the lower lip of the air blower? I was trying to get the top lip of the fascia to sit underneath the blower the same as the old stereo unit does. My concern with the approach in the photos is that the fascia clicks into place. Once it is in the position shown in the photos you can no longer remove the air vents because the fascia is in the way and you cannot reach behind the fascia to release the clips because the air vents are in the way so its stuck. Whereas with the old stereo you can easily slide the air vents out first, undo the screws holding the stereo in place and then slide out the stereo.

two types, the type you have, and another type that is flat

Do you have any info or a link to this second type please? Maybe I could make it work. I'll keep looking but so far every seller on the internet/amazon/ebay etc have the same unit, sometimes under different names but always the same physical shape.

 

[SimonAW]

If I remember correctly you screw in the first part of the facia, like you say, and then the outer part clips onnto it. To remove mine I just wiggle it and it unlips. I think I cut away some of the facia to make it fit better. Like I said, none of them are great, but they get the job done.

As far as the flat one goes, no I didn't entertain buying one as to my eyes as it looked really cheap and nasty, so not got a link.

Sorry I can't be more help, It's been a few years since I fitted it.

P.S I just checked my old email and I bought the same facia as you, the CT24BM06.

 

[Z44Jon]

I fitted this and then upgraded the steering wheel, needing to take the radio out to fit the controls module. I just unclipped it from the front.
I did modify it slightly when I originally fitted it though. I just cut one on the lip s off the back off it to make it sit flush. It was a small lip on the side that was about 1cm long at most. It was one of thos " how the hell does this fit" followed by "ooh that was eiaser than I thought jobs". You may be over thinking it as that was certainly the case when i fitted this one. I was just stoked it turned up grey as when it was ordered they said only black available

 

[Gebbly]

Just for experimentation I ordered an X3 fascia plate because it looked to be the right profile and I thought perhaps i could modify it if other attempts failed. Wierdly it was right and wrong at the same time.

When comparing with the removed original stereo the profile of the faceplate looks like it matches the stereo perfectly so the correct dimensions and the mounting holes for the screws are in exactly the same place. However before I even took it to the car I found the new stereo would not fit in the slot of the faceplate.

Multiple online sources all agree that the dimensions of 1 DIN are 7 inches or 178-180mm wide. My new stereo unit is 178mm wide. The slot in the faceplate is wierdly 171.5mm wide so theoretically no 1 DIN head unit would fit.

 

[Gebbly]

I have also found an alternative Z4 faceplate. I was watching a video of someone doing an installation in the US and they mentioned the make they used. I have now ordered a Scosche BW2335B which looks like it might be the flat type mentioned before. Its taking a week to get here as it seems to only be sold in the US. In case its of use to anyone else in the future I'll update the thread with how this goes.

 

[Gebbly]

Well the Scosche fascia arrived. Wierdly it suffers from the same problem as the X3 fascia. It looks to be a good fit in the car but the cut-out for the new stereo to slide into is 172.5mm wide. Is it just my bad luck or are there lots of fascias that are sold as "single DIN" not actually the correct dimensions.
Perhaps different countries have different definitions for the correct "single DIN" dimensions?

Whatever the reason I now have 3 fascias and it looks like those are my only options and whichever I go for I'm going to have to modify it in some way.

 

[Gebbly]

I have been chatting with a friend of mine who has a 3D printer he likes playing with. Using a 3D design of a double DIN fascia we found on line as a starting template and the new and old stereo I have along with the fascias I have bought we are designing a fascia that should do the job. He showed me the first test iteration last night and it looks really promising. Its really useful being able to tweak the design to suit. I'll keep this thread up to date with progress (starting to feel like a project thread).