SAinSurrey
Member
Bought a Z4 3.0si roadster on a whim (really don't need the car and totally impractical), but I love to tinker with my cars, often making more of a mess than fixing things.
With this car being about 20 years old, I needed to get a solution for android auto and to be able to stream music. Came across a post on the UK facebook group about various ICE solutions. I wanted a s screen but didn't want a) to block the vents as I love driving with the roof down if its dry, regardless of the weather and b) to spend too much, this was after all, a £5k car. One of the guys suggested the Hizpo 5007 single din with the 5inch screen. It goes for between £25 and £40. Dubious because I had bought a chinese android headunit before for a lot more (£250) and had issues, one being, it worked sporadically and kept resetting. But for £25, I was willing to take a gamble (the single din faceplate, fakra to ISO arial cable and connector combined cost as much as the unit!).
So, fitting:
I used the Radio adaptor to ISO wiring harness so that I didn't have to chop any standard BMW cables and then lopped off the ISO cable sides and soldered the Hizpo connectors to the wiring - good thing is the wire colours are the same as ISO, just not the connecter, so easy to match up wiring.
The unit is half the depth of a normal car stereo so plenty of space for the additional wiring. It also comes with a separate plug in mic, two RCA outputs, an additional USB input, AV input and rear camera input.
I have only fitted the mic for now. I know I have a rear camera lying around in the garage but its now easier to get to the rear of the unit and I will look to do the camera in spring when its a bit warmer.
Fiddling with the air vents removal was about 15 minutes, YouTube being a saviour here.
Other than that, all plain sailing except for the illumination wire. I saw the screen flashing randomly and my heart sank. I wouldn't be able to live with a flashing screen. Then noticed that when I switched off the headlights, the screen stopped flickering. So just snipped the illumination wire off and all good. Dont know if it is the unit or my car that is the issue.
Connectivity to Android Auto is quick and easy. Very logical and has reconnected every time I have gone back in the car so far. Screen has a slight split second lag sometimes, but for me, totally acceptable. The person that recommended this was running Carplay so couldnt advise on Android. And yes, it is wireless.
For transparency, I am running the stock 6 speaker system. Sound is definitely better than the standard business CD unit. More power, richer bass (it has a 10 band graphic equaliser as well) and actually makes the standard speakers sound half decent. The manual says it has 70watts max x 4 but I am always dubious about the quoted output. I will upgrade the speakers and amp later in the year if budget allows!
Also tested the mic statically, and could be heard loud and clear.
Next steps, I will provide an update when I take the car on the road and give feedback. Will also provided an update on how this holds up over the coming months but so far so good!
With this car being about 20 years old, I needed to get a solution for android auto and to be able to stream music. Came across a post on the UK facebook group about various ICE solutions. I wanted a s screen but didn't want a) to block the vents as I love driving with the roof down if its dry, regardless of the weather and b) to spend too much, this was after all, a £5k car. One of the guys suggested the Hizpo 5007 single din with the 5inch screen. It goes for between £25 and £40. Dubious because I had bought a chinese android headunit before for a lot more (£250) and had issues, one being, it worked sporadically and kept resetting. But for £25, I was willing to take a gamble (the single din faceplate, fakra to ISO arial cable and connector combined cost as much as the unit!).
So, fitting:
I used the Radio adaptor to ISO wiring harness so that I didn't have to chop any standard BMW cables and then lopped off the ISO cable sides and soldered the Hizpo connectors to the wiring - good thing is the wire colours are the same as ISO, just not the connecter, so easy to match up wiring.
The unit is half the depth of a normal car stereo so plenty of space for the additional wiring. It also comes with a separate plug in mic, two RCA outputs, an additional USB input, AV input and rear camera input.
I have only fitted the mic for now. I know I have a rear camera lying around in the garage but its now easier to get to the rear of the unit and I will look to do the camera in spring when its a bit warmer.
Fiddling with the air vents removal was about 15 minutes, YouTube being a saviour here.
Other than that, all plain sailing except for the illumination wire. I saw the screen flashing randomly and my heart sank. I wouldn't be able to live with a flashing screen. Then noticed that when I switched off the headlights, the screen stopped flickering. So just snipped the illumination wire off and all good. Dont know if it is the unit or my car that is the issue.
Connectivity to Android Auto is quick and easy. Very logical and has reconnected every time I have gone back in the car so far. Screen has a slight split second lag sometimes, but for me, totally acceptable. The person that recommended this was running Carplay so couldnt advise on Android. And yes, it is wireless.
For transparency, I am running the stock 6 speaker system. Sound is definitely better than the standard business CD unit. More power, richer bass (it has a 10 band graphic equaliser as well) and actually makes the standard speakers sound half decent. The manual says it has 70watts max x 4 but I am always dubious about the quoted output. I will upgrade the speakers and amp later in the year if budget allows!
Also tested the mic statically, and could be heard loud and clear.
Next steps, I will provide an update when I take the car on the road and give feedback. Will also provided an update on how this holds up over the coming months but so far so good!
Scottish Borders