Years ago it was easy and I’ve fitted loads in the past, but not for a good few years now….

So, is there such a thing as a replacement head unit that will:
1) Bluetooth to my iPhone to play music and make calls
2) Fit directly into my 2005 Focus (double DIN fitting I think) with minimum fuss
3) Still use the steering column volume controls
4) Have a DAB radio

I’m not bothered about a CD player, or loads of flashy lights and pointless widgets.
(I used to buy Blaupunkt stuff because it was nice and simple and sounded better than the rest)

Thanks in advance. 🙂

Still use the steering column volume controls

That might be the difficult one to sort….
Lots of double DIN head units, but often they require an additional facia surround specific for your car, like this:

From here…

DrP

Actually, having had a look, I think this is pie in the sky. I don’t think all that is available in one unit….
🙁

That said, I’d be willing to forego the Bluetooth and use a cable to the phone instead.

Have a look on eBay for a hard wired iPhone connector lead that plugs into the back of the factory stereo, you can get em for £40ish and they’re dead easy to fit…

You can add DAB to an existing head unit,with an external unit.(Last time I looked in Halfords it was circa £200.

On some Ford units there is provision to add an AUX in to run your Ipod.

However a face plate adaptor and a new unit would probably be cheaper.

I`d take a trip to your local ICE specialist.

I haven’t looked at much recent stuff but I think DAB may be the hardest thing on your list to fulfill.

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk is a very highly regarded site and has a very active forum where someone will be able to help I’m sure – http://www.talkaudio.co.uk

This type of thing…

Dab double din stereo – http://www.amazon.co.uk/JVC-KW-DB60AT-Double-Stereo-Built/dp/B007K5XTUQ
Bluetooth add-on – http://www.amazon.co.uk/JVC-KS-BTA100-Bluetooth-Handsfree-Recievers/dp/B004REMUJE
Connector – http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FIESTA-FOCUS-C-MAX-GALAXY-STALK-ADAPTOR-CONTROL-PC99-X50-FREE-PATCH-LEAD-/280850988048

Jobs a good un

I’ve just done something similar in my C-max

You’ll need:

A head unit
Facia surround (double or single din depending on your head unit)
An addapter to plug the head unit into the cars wireing
An addapter to plug that harnes into the steering wheel controlls
An addapter to plug the ariel lead into the head unit

I went to a shop called liquidICE on ebay and just told them what head unit and what car it was and they did the rest.

A lot of head units are bluetooth compatible, usualy this means you need a little black box that plugs in the back of the head unit. Mine’s a replacement for the ipod addapter cable.

More proof, if it were needed, that the Singletrack research tool is more usefull than google.

TINAS, go on, how much did that cost if you don’t mind me asking?

More importantly Mista-spoon, does it drown out the noise of the kids?

Likewise – just swapped out the audio in our van. Previously had a Blaupunkt that did iPod (via Cable), BT phone and BT audio but not DAB. Blaupunkt stuff is now crap – badly built and badly designed. A shame.

For research I’d recommend DABOnWheels even if you don’t end up buying everything from them.

We went for the Kenwood 4551 which i think I picked up for about £130. The Bluetooth add on module was another £100 and picked up the FM aerial/wiring loom/steering wheel remote interface from eBay for about £40. Then needed a DAB aerial. The £22 glass mount fitted discreetly and is giving excellent reception. I’ve yet to have a dropout from home to the Scottish border.

Not cheap but very happy with it. I’ve had to reset it twice in 4 months so suspect there’s something slightly flaky about the bluetooth but hopefully a software upgrade will sort it at some point but it.

There is a double din unit but they’re more of a theft risk in London.

hughjayteens – Member

I haven’t looked at much recent stuff but I think DAB may be the hardest thing on your list to fulfill.

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk is a very highly regarded site and has a very active forum where someone will be able to help I’m sure – http://www.talkaudio.co.uk

+1 for the expertise here 8)

My shopping list comes in at around £260.
FWIW, I’d not bother with the DAB and use a digital radio app on the iPhone streamed through the bluetooth. I reckon you could do that setup for just over £100.

<smug>I did my truck with a Sony one I got from Helfords for £60 8) </smug>

FWIW, I’d not bother with the DAB and use a digital radio app on the iPhone streamed through the bluetooth

I’d go the other way. I have managed to stream some radio through iPlayer on Katie’s Orange phone O2 struggles for 3G even on much of the motorway network and reliable 3G connections run out long before DAB signals. Having relied on streaming audio for digital stations at home for the last 5 years I’m actually moving to using DAB all over the place – far more reliable and convenient.

O2 struggles for 3G even on much of the motorway network

That’s your problem right there 8)

Not had problems using Three – usually north of the border mind.

TINAS, go on, how much did that cost if you don’t mind me asking?

It’s just dropped off my ebay history but I think it came to about £35-£40.

Posttoby1 – Member
More importantly Mista-spoon, does it drown out the noise of the kids?

Haven’t got any kids or rear seats :p , I test drove a berlingo and decided I wanted a ‘car’ instead so got a C-max and took the rear seats out.

I fitted a Kenwood head unit (single DIN) to our c-max with wired ipod connection (controlled through the head unit) bluetooth, and adaptor to work with the steering wheel controls. It all works pretty well, although the bluetooth is a little flaky, needing a reset from time to time.

Point to note: your Focus is not double DIN, the Ford head unit is slightly bigger. You can fit a double DIN unit with the appropriate adaptor plate.

FYI the official VW adaptor plate is cheaper and better made than the non-VW ones. Might be the same for Ford.