Aftermarket or Dealer Nav System?

[generic808]

And this guy calls himself a professional? Sounds like the dude doesn't really know what he's doing or something. You probably could've done the install with a little bit of patience and elbow grease.

[rjdmmfl1]

MBC, find out if they are installing an audio control device wired between your deck and your speakers. My install guy told me that sometimes, if you try to wire the deck directly to the speakers (In BOSE system) without this, the output volume may be too high and result in really bad distortion. (This is when keeping the bose system amplifier.) If you are removing the stock speakers and bose amplifier, then disregard.

Also, although proper nav install can be a bit tricky, it really shouldn't be in this case if the guy knows what he's doing... And yes, you should demand the tint either be perfect, redone, or discounted. I also agree that they need to return your car with the interior cleaned just as you dropped it off... I sort of feel responsible because I recommended them to you...

I think part of the problem also is that, sometimes, when these guys get really busy, they hire install guys that they don't always use, and sometimes these guys are not top notch. There's no harm in asking which install guy is doing the work, how long he has been with them, etc. This is your ride and you are paying a hell of a lot of money for this work... you should get your money's worth....

oh yeah, MBC, the interior of my car is coming along, will have pictures soon...

[LongBeachCoupe]

MBC i think i just decided to stick with the stock radio from your story. I dont have the time/patience for an incorrect install... nor the knowledge to do it myself... Ill stick with DIY mods for now...

[0h3SpecV]

no problem man alwasy glad to help out a fellow nissaner lol but no i didnt get a chance to get it......but i found out my boy who has a shop has a 1 left and hes gunna hold it for me so it all turned out ok neway lol

[MadBlackCoupe]

I wish bro, but when it comes to stuff like this, I'm lost in the water.

Def not my area of expertise.

He's only charging 225 for the install, so I guess I'm going to have to stick it out.

And this guy calls himself a professional? Sounds like the dude doesn't really know what he's doing or something. You probably could've done the install with a little bit of patience and elbow grease.

[MadBlackCoupe]

Good ish. Yes, that sounds like what he was talking about...something about the amp and a device he needed to pick up. Yes, I'm keeping the speakers. I'm not a car or audio guy, so all this crap sounds like Charlie Brown's Teacher...

Womp womp wowowomp womp womp!

Remeber that? lol.

So, it sounds like he got some clarity from his dudes. So, he's off tomorrow. We'll see what happens on Wednesday.

The camera has still not arrived.

No biggie man. Don't feel bad. The shop has a good rep in the area. I think, in the end, everything will be fine. I'll point out all the little fingerprints, loose fittings, and bubbles in the tint, see what he does. Then I will decide to use him again based on that. Anything not sured up, I will go the dealer and have them tighten it up.

It's not install guys from what I can tell, it's your boy doing the work, but I do have to agree that he appeared to be busy.

Today, I go to start the car up and my foot gets tangled in a wire near the gas pedal. What the hell? It's an install cable that fell from under the ledge under the dash. Why are these guys trying to kill me?

If this would have happened while driving down the road, I may have really did some damage. Whatever cable it is, it was not secured underneith the dash...there just seems to be lapses in logical thought here.

Just put me in cryogenic freeze until my car is fixed. Then unthaw me and set me loose on the road...lol.

Yeah, we are waiting for those flix bro.

Anyway, I have faith, but I'm almost running on E.

-Mad

MBC, find out if they are installing an audio control device wired between your deck and your speakers. My install guy told me that sometimes, if you try to wire the deck directly to the speakers (In BOSE system) without this, the output volume may be too high and result in really bad distortion. (This is when keeping the bose system amplifier.) If you are removing the stock speakers and bose amplifier, then disregard.

Also, although proper nav install can be a bit tricky, it really shouldn't be in this case if the guy knows what he's doing... And yes, you should demand the tint either be perfect, redone, or discounted. I also agree that they need to return your car with the interior cleaned just as you dropped it off... I sort of feel responsible because I recommended them to you...

I think part of the problem also is that, sometimes, when these guys get really busy, they hire install guys that they don't always use, and sometimes these guys are not top notch. There's no harm in asking which install guy is doing the work, how long he has been with them, etc. This is your ride and you are paying a hell of a lot of money for this work... you should get your money's worth....

oh yeah, MBC, the interior of my car is coming along, will have pictures soon...

[pjneder]

Hey, first post here.

I have to say good luck to MBC, sounds like you are almost there. I'm sure they will get it all buttoned up safe and secure in the end.

So, I have a few questions and comments to add to this thread.

First off, this has been a most informative read. I learned a bunch just reading this thread alone, as well as pointing to other places. Thanks for the play by play.

OK, here's my deal. My wife is the one getting a 2008 Altima Coupe 2.5 with convenience package. So it will have the SWC buttons, but not the fancy speakers and what not. It will have the tan/wood interior, not charcoal/black. The center piece is quite different in these cars. Take a look at

http://autos.yahoo.com/2008_ni...#imgs

The main thing I wanted to get her was XM radio, since we have that in our other car and she loves it. We test drove a premium+nav Altima and it was sweet, but that is a huge upgrade over the 2.5S. Reading about these aftermarket navs really got me to thinking. However I am really worried there is no way to go from that stock dash (shown above) to a double din sized frame with LCD.

Any thoughts or comments on that? Should I stick with some sort of basic XM aux-in upgrade?

On another note, any comments on how to find a reputable installer in the Raleigh, NC area?

Thanks!

[generic808]

Today, I go to start the car up and my foot gets tangled in a wire near the gas pedal. What the hell? It's an install cable that fell from under the ledge under the dash. Why are these guys trying to kill me?

He didn't even use wire ties? This guy is a joke! Good luck man!

[MadBlackCoupe]

Hey P,

Welcome to da jungle...lol. Thanks for your comments.

Good stuff. I am learning as I go too. This is a great forum. I may just be a CAR GUY one day...lol.

The dash in the photo looks different than mine, but the Metra kits are designed to fit a number of dash configurations. The one I purchased works for single or double din--they basically cut out the middle piece...bingo...double din.



If you look close enough, you will see the three-circle piece that fits the dash you posted.

Here is a link to a nav install at CarDomain just as a point of reference.

White A Coupehttp://www.cardomain.com/ride/2668232

Here's a D3 Nav with your style dashhttp://www.cardomain.com/ride/2671094

I don't think you should have a problem getting a Metra kit in the color you need. Try honestDee (discussed earlier) on Ebay. You can always e-mail those guys and ask.

I don't think DoubleDin would be a problem.

Unfortunately, I can't help you with NC install guys.

Mad

Hey, first post here.

I have to say good luck to MBC, sounds like you are almost there. I'm sure they will get it all buttoned up safe and secure in the end.

So, I have a few questions and comments to add to this thread.

First off, this has been a most informative read. I learned a bunch just reading this thread alone, as well as pointing to other places. Thanks for the play by play.

OK, here's my deal. My wife is the one getting a 2008 Altima Coupe 2.5 with convenience package. So it will have the SWC buttons, but not the fancy speakers and what not. It will have the tan/wood interior, not charcoal/black. The center piece is quite different in these cars. Take a look at

http://autos.yahoo.com/2008_ni...#imgs

The main thing I wanted to get her was XM radio, since we have that in our other car and she loves it. We test drove a premium+nav Altima and it was sweet, but that is a huge upgrade over the 2.5S. Reading about these aftermarket navs really got me to thinking. However I am really worried there is no way to go from that stock dash (shown above) to a double din sized frame with LCD.

Any thoughts or comments on that? Should I stick with some sort of basic XM aux-in upgrade?

On another note, any comments on how to find a reputable installer in the Raleigh, NC area?

Thanks!

Modified by MadBlackCoupe at 8:10 PM 10/30/2007

[bembol]

I said I was done with MODDING!

That CarDomain link is pretty sick.

[rjdmmfl1]

Hey MBC, good job with the info on the aftermarket consoles for double din units... I was gonna post the same links til I saw yours... that's def what these forums are for...

pjneder, in regards to the kits, there are two kit companies, scoshe and metra, the first picture MBC posted is the metra kit... that's the kit I used for my D3*, and the kit MBC used for his Z2. The good thing about this kit is that it has interchangeable parts for use with the digital climate controls or the analog ones (your car has the analog ones) ... the second link I believe is to the scoshe kit... here's that one on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stereo-Rad...wItem

Now in my opinion, this one is better for folks that have the analog climate controls because it is all one piece, rather than having a snap on piece for the climate controls...thus providing for a smoother and cleaner look. Now if you're like me, and you added a dash trim kit, then all of the lines will be covered anyway.

Hope all this helps, but as MBC said, you can def fit a double din stereo into your unit, no problem.... Oh yes, one last thing, DO NOT buy the OEM nav center console from the factory and try to put an aftermarket unit in there, it will NOT fit without some major fabricating!!!

(*yeah I know MBC, I sold out for the D3 because I have to buy nav units for my coupe and my wife's altima sedan... two D3's will cost me less than 1 Z2)

[MadBlackCoupe]

UPDATE: WHY AM I CURSED????

Wednesday comes around, I call in, they say the camera still has not yet arrived. It will be in tomorrow afternoon. Well, this is the third time they said that.

Thursday comes around, the camera is in, the harness is in, we are ready to ROCK and ROLL! Oh nelly!!

He drives the car back into the work area, comes back in 30 minutes to tell me he now is getting sound. GOOD ISH! So, I start to get a little excited, but I realized I have angered the Altima Gods somehow, so my excitement is tempered with cautious optimism...but you know someting bad is coming...don't you? This is too damn good to be true, a 1000 dollar Z2...something is bound to get f-ed up.

This is like that movie, where the kids on the plane excape death in the plane crash, then, for the rest of the movie, death catches up to there ***, one my one...just because the natural order of things had been changed somehow and nature's balance had to be restored.

Anyway, I digress.

Three hours pass, no word. Close to closing time. Dude comes out, says he got the nav in, the sound works, BUT no picture on the rear camera. When you put the car in reverse, the camera should come on. In this case, the screen just goes black...impressive!!!

AND he can't get any tech support because all the tech mofos are at the freakn SEMA show...hahahaha. I must have really done somebody bad in another life.

Okay, so, I have to bring the car back....HOLD IT...

So, he tells me he broke the Metra Kit trim that houses the nav. WTH? So, I go to the car, it's fitting okay, but bulging a little on the sides...they are not flush. I prob can deal with it...but I don't know.

He shows me the nav in action, as much as you can do without a subscription. He connects his iPod, we jamming. The sound is niiiiice. Tried the mic, nice. Talked to the NavyLady voice...nice!

He drives off.

I turn the unit off...and damn if I don't see a quarter inch scratch in the screen. WTF??????????????????????????????????????????????????????

You can barely see it with the unit on. It wasn't there when it came out the box.

Okay, I can't live with this ish. It's annoying and he had to have seen it.

So, I am pissed, driving down the road. I get 10 feet from the shop and something gets caught in the damn wheel. Boom FLAT TIRE!

Pitch black, rush hour traffic. By the time I figure what the hell is up, the tire is smoking. It's toast. I pull over, a police officer pulls up, I tell him it's my tire. I try not to make any false moves...if you get my drift!

He says, okay, do it quick!!! WTF???? Why would I take my time with this ish? lol. Hey, thanks officer!

So, I'm kneeling in high-*** grass, with my work suit on, just numb dudes, just numb!

I can not and will not settle for a scratched nav system. I just can't do it. Hopefully, they repair these things, and hopefully, dude foots the bill.

I really don't know what else to say right about now.

I get home, just sit in the car for 30 minutes. I heat me up some crub, go to sit down, put the cup on the table, it tips over, spills on the rug and into the plate of food.



-Mad


Modified by MadBlackCoupe at 5:15 PM 11/1/2007

[notaverage]

WoW dude, I have no words for you. I hope something good happens to you soon, cuz going through all that is just f****d up!

[generic808]

Like I said before, THIS GUY CALLS HIMSELF A PROFESSIONAL?!!! You better bring up all these issues with him and make sure your NAV screen is replaced. I feel for you.

[blancs3030]

the metra kit bulges out a little on the passenger side on my d3, and the defrost controls sometimes gets a little jammed, it has never done that before the metra kit, i think i screwed in the HU too far back, I'm gonna take it out tomorrow to pull it out some to see if it fixes the bulges and the buttons being jammed.

[MadBlackCoupe]

Exactly. There is some bulge on mine was well. It's off just so slightly. Enough to annoy the hell outa you. Buttons are fine with me.

the metra kit bulges out a little on the passenger side on my d3, and the defrost controls sometimes gets a little jammed, it has never done that before the metra kit, i think i screwed in the HU too far back, I'm gonna take it out tomorrow to pull it out some to see if it fixes the bulges and the buttons being jammed.

[MadBlackCoupe]

I called Pioneer. They say if it is a light scratch, it will cost around 200 bucks to fix. If it is kinda deep, into the LCD, it will be 500 + 200.

So, haven't talk to the install guy yet, but I will later today.

I'll keep you posted.

I was able to turn off the blinking air bag light warning from following steps on this forum...good stuff.

Got a new tire. 91 bucks plus labor. The Nissan service guys said that the tire is custome made for the coupe. During the design phase, as they do with a lot of cars, they get with a tire company, send them specs, and have them design a special model for the car. Kinda cool, but who knows, could be propaganda.

-Mad

[LongBeachCoupe]

MBC i feel for ya man... Ill never forget when the transmission in my now dead waiting to get crunched and sold as scrap mustang....

It was in december... and the car started making weird noises... around 9pm in queens on Jamaica ave (not the place you want to be).... and i too was in a suit (not for work, i was on my way to a corp event)...

Needless to say, i will never stop hearing my moms voice yelling at me when i was 16... "Bring a jacket, just in case".....

The first time i got burnt in a tshirt on xmas eve on my way to a diner when 4 guys in a sentra were chasing me and we both got tagged by the cops... turns out one had a gun concealed (NY/NJ no-no!) and 2 others had warrants out... I still got a reckless driving ticket... the cop tossed my car, took a knife, a mets/yanks WS minibat... and my pride/comfort when was cuffed on the curb with a tshirt on..

Since that transmission blew (hahaha im straight)... i have always brought a jacket with me...

Anyways back on topic... i said all that to make you feel better... i hope it does...

Replacing the LCD? sounds like a worthless idea IMO... you are going to have to have a re-install then and who knows what nonsenset that could cause... if it wont affect functionality i say leave it... as for the metra kit... are they paying you for it? I hope you paid with a CC... consider calling them up and having a charge-back done... and bringing it to a new shop, and insist on paying upon successful completion...

But if all else fails, atleast your ipod is working!

[MadBlackCoupe]

Good story! Thanks.

Yes, they are paying for the metra kit. Hell, we only talking 30 bucks, and he might be able to order just the trim for even less.

Yeah, I did pay the total balance yesterday, which I shouldn't have.

Anyway, this is a lesson learned. I'm not injured. I got a new tire. With a little more patience, things will work out one way or another.

Yes, the DVD is working.Yes, the Ipod is working.Bluetooth appears to be functional, haven't set it up yet.The mic is working.The NavLady's voice is sexy...lol.XM Satelite radio is transfered.The camera tries to work. I have no doubt he'll knock that out.

And, to top it off, I still have my good looks...haha.

MadBC

MBC i feel for ya man... Ill never forget when the transmission in my now dead waiting to get crunched and sold as scrap mustang....

It was in december... and the car started making weird noises... around 9pm in queens on Jamaica ave (not the place you want to be).... and i too was in a suit (not for work, i was on my way to a corp event)...

Needless to say, i will never stop hearing my moms voice yelling at me when i was 16... "Bring a jacket, just in case".....

The first time i got burnt in a tshirt on xmas eve on my way to a diner when 4 guys in a sentra were chasing me and we both got tagged by the cops... turns out one had a gun concealed (NY/NJ no-no!) and 2 others had warrants out... I still got a reckless driving ticket... the cop tossed my car, took a knife, a mets/yanks WS minibat... and my pride/comfort when was cuffed on the curb with a tshirt on..

Since that transmission blew (hahaha im straight)... i have always brought a jacket with me...

Anyways back on topic... i said all that to make you feel better... i hope it does...

Replacing the LCD? sounds like a worthless idea IMO... you are going to have to have a re-install then and who knows what nonsenset that could cause... if it wont affect functionality i say leave it... as for the metra kit... are they paying you for it? I hope you paid with a CC... consider calling them up and having a charge-back done... and bringing it to a new shop, and insist on paying upon successful completion...

But if all else fails, atleast your ipod is working!

Modified by MadBlackCoupe at 1:42 PM 11/2/2007

[LongBeachCoupe]

MBC I cant imagine how the conversation went yesterday... Did he ask for balance before or after he showed you he broke the metra and you realized the screen scratch? And just like I would notice it if one of my banking deals had a coffee cup ring on it... he should realize the scratch in the screen... Infact i remember you posting pics fresh out of the box... show it to him and see what he says... I mean hes obviously not going to pay to have it fixed (i dont think you should pay either)... you may be able to leverage free services from him the future because of it... "next install is on the house" or something of that nature... Because the thing is, im in NY... and from what you are saying to the "world" on the internet... i wouldnt let this guy balance my tires... so good word of mouth is critical... he may be willing to offer free services to keep his name "un-tarnished"...

Just my .02 Because in my business, your name is all you have... Im sure if you went to the local car hangout people will be asking you about the car.. and even more about the Navi... What would the installer want you to say? That he broke stuff, had issues with installation and it took multiple visits and still isnt working right? Ofcourse not, he would want you to say "The guys at XXX really hooked it up lovley" Thats how business is gained... Think about it, even if you dont trust the source whose telling the information, would you ever bring your new car to somewhere that got a bad review?

Also, i dont mean to sound like an *** at all or that im insulting you by any means... its just frustrating.. but this guy should do something to make up for his mistakes... or he deserves to have his shop bad-mouthed... its his choice

[generic808]

Even if this dude offered "free service" in the future, I wouldn't even dare take him up on it. Unless I had a 1972 Gremlin or 1981 Yugo, then maybe

Just go there and punch him in the face and call it even. At least you'll get rid of some of that frustration haha j/k

[LongBeachCoupe]

Generic, he went back though, and gave him the $ for the install...So where we are at now, that is the best he can do... atleast get somethin for free...

[generic808]

I'd go to this guys shop and take something off the shelf and just walk off j/k

[MadBlackCoupe]

Good comments man. It was my mistake to pay for it all before final install was completed. Lesson learned.

When he calls me back, I will see if he's going to pay for the repair fees.

I agree though, I am worried about letting dude do any more work.

I will also pose the option of letting me get the work done somewhere else and just bill him.

I'm not offended by any advice offered. You live and you learn. I just talked to his assistant. Asked him to pass along a message.

Here is the deal. Either he works something out, or he won't.

If he does, great.If not, shame on him, cuz I will be on YouTube, BrightCove, Complaint.com, BetterBusiness B, and any other spot on the Internet that I can post pictures, videos, and log complaints on websites and forums.

And yep, I have before pictures of all my shet.

So, dudes, I'm good now. One way or another, this situation will get resolved.

-MadBC

[MadBlackCoupe]

LOL. Man, are a nut...lol.

I think, in cases like this, you state your concerns, remain calm, and see what developes. But, underneith it all, you may want to bust something up...lol. He still has some work to do, so we don't want him being any more careless with his sh*T.

I'd go to this guys shop and take something off the shelf and just walk off j/k

[rjdmmfl1]

Dude, I feel sooo baddd, I'm never recommending them to anyone ever again!

[MadBlackCoupe]

Don't feel bad man, I'm sure things will work out. I talked to him today and he is cool with doing whatever is necessary.

You had a number of things done there, so you have confidence. He seems like an honest dude. I'm just perplexed that he didn't cover the screen AND the center console during the install, so that some of these scratches could have been avoided.

Being a graphics guy, I am very detailed-oriented. I'm going to catch every little thing and I'm not going to let little or big things go quitely in the night.

Let me add that there is a 1-inch scratch in the chrome that houses the gear shift. He has agreed to replace it.

I'm taking off Tuesday so we can get the camera connected and Metra kit fixed.

More then.

This reminds me of a TV Soup...As The Altima Turns...lol.

Dude, I feel sooo baddd, I'm never recommending them to anyone ever again!

[rjdmmfl1]

not trying to rub it in or anything, but FYI, I ordered my rear view camera from honest dee (same place we both got our metra kits from) and I had the camera two days later! Don't know what GW is doing!

[blancs3030]

yea honest dee was the man! i got the metra kit and the antenna adapter from him; it was at my house before my d3 was and i ordered them a day after the d3. also on an update the steering wheel controls are in and everything is working great. totally DYI. sorry about the rough times your having with yours man.

[MadBlackCoupe]

Please hook me up bro. How did you get the steering wheel controls to work?

Mad

[QUOTE=blancs3030]yea honest dee was the man! i got the metra kit and the antenna adapter from him; it was at my house before my d3 was and i ordered them a day after the d3. also on an update the steering wheel controls are in and everything is working great. totally DYI. sorry about the rough times your having with yours man.[/QUO