Upgrade Audio but keep original head unit

[Smallsy99]

So I have a 2004 E85 2.5SI and currently I’m using a radio receiver for my music that bluetooths to my phone. This is okay but the quality and volume are not great at all and I also loose the signal if I go to a new area…!

What I ideally want to achieve is to have either USB or Bluetooth capabilities for the car but ideally I want to keep the original head unit in place. Purely as I find adding in a stereo just doesn’t look right. I have a stereo from my old car so I can still do that. I just wondered if there was a means of doing what I’d like. I have looked into upgrading amps etc but nothing solid and I’m not sure what I’m looking for.

I appreciate this maybe a bit bespoke but thought I’d chuck this question out there!

 

[Jakg]

USB is probably doable with a Grom or something.

Bluetooth will be easy using a BlueMusic unit (and cheap).

 

[sw4nny]

Try one of these
Worked for me and easy fit once you get the centre vents out to enable head unit removal.

 

[Smallsy99]

Thank you for this - what setting will it takeover on the stereo? I have Radio, CD etc but not sure what would show up with this added?

 

[sw4nny]

Thank you for this - what setting will it takeover on the stereo? I have Radio, CD etc but not sure what would show up with this added?

Use the aux setting on head unit

 

[Smallsy99]

I don’t believe I have that option available

 

[mr.tourette]

I don’t believe I have that option available

Aux doesn't appear until you have something in place the head unit recognises as an aux input

 

[Smallsy99]

Hey just to say this came today and I fitted it. Works perfectly!! Thank you very much!

 

[sw4nny]

Glad it all works fine.

 

[richyrich]

ah, this looks great, thanks sw4nny. Did you leave the bluetooth dongle behind the dash? Did you set the mic up? Many thanks, Rich.

 

[Smallsy99]

I managed to get it all hidden behind with no real issue. The only struggle was making sure the wiring look fed back through the metal hole. Also the connection was white sensitive so when I put it all back together I was only getting sound out of the left hand speakers. Fiddled around and got this solved.

The mic I routed okay - it’s a bit visible but works alright for the money