satnav stereo advice

[D7PNY]

Well after a mammoth fight with insurance company after crashing my car in January and still not having it back as the their approved repairer broke my stereo and been unable to fix it/get bits to fix it its looking more likely that I could be getting cash in lieu of repair as there is a clause in my policy for this.

Have a complaint on going with financial ombudsman regarding the delays etc but if I end up getting cash instead of repair before I accept I want to know my options.

Its a Subaru legacy and the satnav unit isn't fantastic anyway so have been thinking of just getting an aftermarket unit to replace and pocket the change if it comes down to it.

Anyone got any experience of aftermarket units and any recommendations? Will need to work with steering wheel controls, reverse camera etc.

Any brands to avoid etc?

Cheers,

Dave

[Andrew O Byrne White - Ireland AO]

What year is your legacy? I've been looking into these for my 08 and getting a fascia that will fit is more expensive than getting a nav/stereo system. Mine doesn't have factory nav fitted though so not sure whether something will go in that slot.

[D7PNY]

Mine is the later shape 2010 and is the navplus model so already has a double din fascia (although I'm not sure that's necessarily compatible with an aftermarket unit)

 

Garage somehow managed to fry something inside the current unit and cannot get the bits which is why I think the insurers are going to use the cash in lieu of repair option open to them.

 

Hence why I'm trying to figure out my options before they get to that stage so I know where I stand.

 

Dave

[D7PNY]

What year is your legacy? I've been looking into these for my 08 and getting a fascia that will fit is more expensive than getting a nav/stereo system. Mine doesn't have factory nav fitted though so not sure whether something will go in that slot.

After doing a little more research today it looks like I could be having a similar issue...

 

Current unit it larger than double din and only fascia's I can find are for double din!  Just have to wait and see what the insurance/financial ombudsman say about it I guess.

 

If they opt for cash in lieu of repair I could have another fight on my hands and more delays re. not accepting that if I can't get an alternative fitted!

 

Have phoned a local specialist for a quote so I know where I stand before hand hopefully.

 

Dave

[Andrew O Byrne White - Ireland AO]

Yeah, it seems like an interesting tactic by Subaru not to use standard sizes. It's worse on the older model though. Climate control is a part of the cd changer unit so for a double din fascia (before I even buy a stereo) it's about $250 plus shipping and taxes. And if I risk that I'm not even sure whether I would end up with a car reading in Fahrenheit instead of celcius.

The other thing to keep an eye on is security features. Some of the cars are coded so you may have to get Subaru to plug it in an redo the security for whatever you install. Just factor that cost in too.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

If they are coded to the car, check that they can be re-coded. Some BMW electronics a few years back, (not sure on current stuff) were notoriously one-shot coded.

 

They had a sort "window of opportunity" when first fitted where they'd work, so that you could test them, then they required coding, once coded, they couldn't be "un-coded". Guess who found that out the hard way, when trying to get  a replacement dash display!

[D7PNY]

Have spoken to local specialist today in a bit more detail and they were sceptical but are going to coke back to me.

With a bit of luck the insurance company will surprise me tomorrow and say the bit is on its way and I'm getting my car back. (wishful thinking!)

Word of warning to anyone on here using aplan though...dont let them place your business with markerstudy if my experience is anything to go by!