sundown

Hi guys,

I am looking at replacing the stock cd player with a aftermarket double din cd player in my 2008 Sti (UK Model)

Does anyone have any recommendations? (looking to spend around £150/$250)

Many thanks

WRXrowdy

iTrader: (2)

Recently changed my head unit for an alpine cd-e235bt unit, seems like a decent head unit for the money. Generally regarded as having amongst the best sound quality. I believe they support steering wheel controls, although I have a blob eye so can't confirm. Has built in parrot blue tooth so can pair the phone to it and phone calls cut music and come through the speakers. iPod supported, and when installed have a decent quality, oem look to the unit. They come in bang on your budget, Halfords sell them although when I looked at getting mine they were cheaper on their website than in store, although they price match in store if you can find it cheaper within a ten mile radius.

You can get the same basic unit without blue tooth for around £100 if you look on line (cd-e233) but I don't know if these support steering wheel control and the display illumination can't be changed from blue/red like the Bluetooth version I bought (can change from blue/red to all green, all red or amber/red)

sundown

Thanks for the info mate, anyone else have any recommendations?

scoobyskool

iTrader: (1)

Buy a decent one off ebay - i gave £325 iirc for a mint boxed 3 month old pioneer avic f20bt

Local stereo shop does new kenwood double din satnavs for about £300 fitted im told

sundown

Cheers

Think im going to go with a Pioneer double din for around £250 don't need the sat nav, but will go for the bluetooth ones

BBB3

iTrader: (7)

I found pioneer are not as good as they used be with the quality but this is because it's now owned my sharpe, alpine I find are very good for the money.

sundown

Interesting, thanks for the info

Sarg400

iTrader: (1)

Never had trouble with Pioneer had them for years and a lot of my friends have them as well, here's a good unit for you.

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/head...hscreen-stereo

sundown

Sent a couple of e-mails to there sales team yesterday, seem like a good company, they were very helpful in telling me what kits etc I need to match the head unit for the install, thinking of buying from them tomorrow

this is what I had my eye on (prefer the console style on this one)

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pion...3500dab-aerial

Sarg400

iTrader: (1)

Good choice that one I have the same but the model down from it

domino46

One thing to remember is the oe unit is wider than the double din so you either need a new av panel (japanparts.com) or a adapter to make the hold slightly smaller

matt-c

iTrader: (5)

good point from domino46.

The cheap adaptors dont fit that well in my experience so ended up going japanparts route but it's expensive.

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Have a look at ebay seller - impartsb46 (IM in disquise)

sundown

ive had a look and cant see anything matching,

can anyone link me a good adapter to slot the pioneer dobule din into on the 08 sti?

I was going to go with this one http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/ct23...subaru-impreza

vicz84

@sundown: Go for it buddy
I used to own a car audio shop and Pioneer were amongst the highest selling units along with Alpine and Kenwood.
The Pioneer double din units are of really decent quality although I would still say Alpine is number one.

@BBB3: What a bell end! Always pretends as if he knows it all and ends up giving the wrong advice

BBB3

iTrader: (7)

Always pretend sold your massive spec car yet?

You're the bell end my friend, same as you're just said alpine is better.

fatboy_coach

iTrader: (1)

I fitted a Kenwood to my Hatch a few months ago.

I used this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CT23SU04-S...E:L:OC:GB:3160

The mounts are crap, I used the Subaru ones, but the fascia is spot on.

I also used this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CTSSU001-2...E:L:OC:GB:3160

So that the steering wheel controls worked.

sundown

Thanks for the advice

Holding back on the unit at the moment, getting a new DSLR for some rally photography, then it's back on the hunt for a unit

fatboy_coach

iTrader: (1)

One thing I would say is that I got a Kenny DNX8220 and I am surprised how poor the radio reception is. I've even taken it out and replaced it with the OEM radio to confirm it's not the antenna.

Had Kenny in the past with no issues, maybe the radio was an afterthought when they'd stuffed all of the other stuff (DVD player, ipod, sat nav, etc) in