Saga: Replacing factory OEM head unit.

[Lokiel]

Thought I'd share this experience for those contemplating doing a similar thing.

I replaced the original Mazda MX-5 SE head unit because I wanted auxillary input and USB/iPod input.
The original head unit was a Double-Din unit (ie. takes up 2 head unit slots).
See 01*.jpg pictures in link at end of post.

I bought a Sony CDX-GT680UI Ipod USB CD Tuner (http://www.ryda.com.au/Sony-CDX-GT680UI ... t680ui.htm) which is a Single-Din unit that required a pocket to fill in the void - I got this installed by professionals when I upgraded the front factory speakers to JL Audio ZR650CSI 6" component speakers (http://www.ryda.com.au/JL-Audio-ZR650CS ... 650csi.htm) which were recommended in these forums somewhere.
I wasn't happy with the head unit because:
1. There are so many tiny buttons on the unit crammed into such a small area that it's almost impossible to do anything with the unit unless you are looking directly at it and can hit the button directly without accidentally hitting the wrong button.
ie. It's dangerous to use when driving.
2. The head unit has a detachable face so the unit sticks out quite a bit on the console and looks ugly.
3. The pocket, while very practical, looks ugly.
4. The unit fascia looks cheap and plastic.
See 02*.jpg pictures in link at end of post..

I decided to upgrade to a Double-Din unit myself so bought a Pioneer FH-P80BT unit (http://www.ryda.com.au/Pioneer-FH-P80BT ... hp80bt.htm), mostly because of this site's recommendation: http://www.bestcovery.com/node/42922 (see also http://www.bestcovery.com/node/14676 for their best car under 30,000).
This unit looks great and is easy to use whilst driving. I routed its rear USB, Auxillary Input and Microphone cables to the inside of my front small cup-holder (middle console) so they're all hidden. The two central cup holders are useless as cup holders anyway in an MX5 since you end up hitting them with your left fore-arm when resting it or changing gears.
After fitting the Pioner unit, which is all black, the silver-plastic heater fascia (located below the head unit) looked cheap and crap so I decided to spray it black, using vinyl dye, to match the Pioneer head unit. Vinyl dye is better than paint since it seeps into plastic rather than just sitting on the surface - it does not chip off like paint does (See 03*.jpg photos).
I'm quite pleased with the final results but feel the need to add chrome rings to the heater controls (when the heater fascia was silver it wasn't an issue but now that it's black it really needs something to "lift" the "too-black" centre console).
See 04*.jpg pictures in link at end of post..

See http://s490.photobucket.com/albums/rr26 ... =slideshow

[yoda7356]

Wow, looks great.Was wondering if you wanted to sell your orignal head unit. I am looking for an orignal six stacker head unit.

[Lokiel]

Wow, looks great.Was wondering if you wanted to sell your orignal head unit. I am looking for an orignal six stacker head unit.

Done!

PM me for details - I'm in Brisbane.

[yoda7356]

PM sent.

[Benny]

Looks really good, but perhaps you should also consider putting in some chrome or brushed metal heater knobs as well, to match the big silver knob on the new stereo.

[Lokiel]

Looks really good, but perhaps you should also consider putting in some chrome or brushed metal heater knobs as well, to match the big silver knob on the new stereo.

I thought about that but if you read the reviews/comments on the chrome heater knobs from http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info. ... cts_id/640 there are a few negative comments because they are merely chrome-plated plastic knobs.

The chrome heater knob rings (http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info. ... ucts_id/74) are metal. I already have the 3 chrome instrument rings (http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info. ... cts_id/554) which are metal and look great so they'd match them nicely.

Do you know any sources for brushed metal heater knobs? I'd prefer that to chrome since "too much chrome" looks crap (and you never really know what that fine line is until you've gone way past it).

In some of the photos, you can see my replacement gear knob. It is a combination of black leather, small chrome rings and the top is brushed aluminium. This, to me, looks better than "all chrome" since it's not too "loud" and won't glare in the sun - my TT chrome vent rings (http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info. ... cts_id/438) glare a LOT ; they look great so I can live with it

[Benny]

You can always linish them, or rub them down with some fine sandpaper to give them a brushed appearance.

One thing with the chrome knobs is that they do'nt have a light in them, like the OEM ones do.

[Regie]

i was going to buy one of those Pioneer headunits..but in going to wait until the dogital radio becomes more common in aftermarket headunits for cars.

ive just spend 3 weeks in the USA, our hire car had digital/sattelite radio and it was amazing!

[Lokiel]

i was going to buy one of those Pioneer headunits..but in going to wait until the dogital radio becomes more common in aftermarket headunits for cars.

No use to me, I don't have a dog and wont be able to hear it

[Lokiel]

I finally got around to taking photos of the installed heater chrome rings and I've updated the steering wheel too, it now has grey leather inserts to match the car colour (Titanium). Other interior photos including updated instrument console too (blue LEDs, chrome needle covers and odometer needle).

See updated slideshow link in original post.

[Okibi]

Lokiel fantastic photos and thanks for sharing the install with the forum.

[Regie]

that looks awesome!

could you tell me how you made the dash blue with red needles?

did you just use blue LED's?, ive tried this and it didnt turn out like that.

hows that headunit going?? i still like it and might pick one up

[Lokiel]

The instrument red needles were OEM. My MX5 is an SE, I don't know what colour regular MX5 needles are, this may be an SE feature.

As for the blue LEDs, I got them off eBay.

See http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Blue-T10-6-LED-D ... 5ad414e8e0.

If this item has expired by the time you read this, simply type "MX5 blue LEDs" into the eBay search box.

This is the eBay blurb, so look for items similar to this:

Super Wide Angle LED Dash Bulbs (Blue)
You are bidding on 5pcs of Wide Angle Bulbs in Blue
(4x T10 6-LED and 1x T5 3-LED Bulbs is included in this listing)
These LED Bulbs are suitable replacements for Dash/Instrument Lighting and
will replace any T10/194 or T5/74 Stock Bulbs. Such as those used in
Mazda Mx-5 NA & NB (Year 1989 - 2005)

The important thing to look for is "4x T10 6-LED and 1x T5 3-LED Bulbs".

I think the head unit is awesome, it's very easy to navigate using the central knob, even while driving. I got very frustated with the Sony single-din unit since it was almost impossible to navigate while driving because there were so many buttons cramped so closely together and it was hard to remember which buttons did what. The Pioneer interface is fantastic and you really don't need to keep the manual around. The unit is expensive and doesn't support digital radio so you may want to consider that - I rarely listen to radio and prefer my own music so that didn't bother me at all.

I recommend getting the correct wiring harness adapter(s) so you don't need to waste time and effort cutting and soldering wires - SuperCheap Auto has them so there's no need to special-order them in.

My only gripes are that the gloss surface smudges easily (no biggie) and the buttons on the left and right side of the dial are so damn small - given the amount of real-estate available on a double-din unit it seems odd (once again, this is no biggie).

For more info on the Pioneer head unit vs other double-din units, see http://www.bestcovery.com/node/42922
MX5 Parts in the UK sell the JVC unit from the previous link (see http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info. ... ts_id/1517) but you need an optional accessory to access your iPod.

[bootz]

Hi, a bit off topic but the wheel, did you buy it trimmed like that as a second hand unit or did some clever pixie dye your existing one.
The silver leather looks really trick.

[Lokiel]

I got it from MX5 Plus in Brisbane (who imported it 2nd hand via Japan), along with matching door trim inserts.

www.mx5parts.co.uk occasionally have this wheel available in this colour so send them an e-mail.

I still plan on re-covering another wheel I have with German-Grey inserts to match my new door trim one day so will eventually put the wheel and door trim inserts up for sale since they do look good together.