Silver/brushed radio options... Upgrading from Bose... is it worth it?

[Demon I Am]

I think towards the spring, I'll be looking to replace my factory head unit with something better.
If I do a replacement, I'd like it to look as close to stock as possible, but have some modern features (Custom color matching LED; Bluetooth is a must; Sirius, meh; iPod connection, maybe). No need for CD/tape players. I'd probably be looking to replace the factory speakers, as mine sound wretched over a volume level of 11.

To keep it stockish looking, I'd love to find a unit with a silver/brushed fascia. I know like 99% of them are black, but I think that would just look odd in the car. Double Din would probably look nicest, otherwise I'd have a stupid cubby pocket, blanking plate to deal with. As a non-turboed daily driver, I don't see a need for gauges in a blanking plate, even though they look nice.

The only 2 that I have found which might fit the bill (on Crutchfield's site) are Marine unit Kenwoods
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113D562....html?tp=61742
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113D365....html?tp=61742

Are there any good options that I could be missing out on?

I haven't seen a black radio installed with the factory brushed surround, so maybe it's not as bad as I'm envisioning it.

[Demon I Am]

As a reference, here's the interior:

IMG_20151013_072611397_HDR by Tony Driver, on Flickr

[— kung fu jesus —]

Tony, the Bose system is junk.

Pick the HU with the best features and price and bypass the Bose amps completely with a compact 2 channel amp. If face color is important, paint it or wrap it.

I would also suggest component speakers because the Bose system uses some funky impedance in theirs. I used 8" 3-way Alpines and a 200w amp in the 10ae and they rocked. The sound was way clearer than the Bose system, louder, and the bass response was great. I ran new speaker wires, which is optional. You could go that route to power the door speakers and run the tweeters off the HU, if you don't use a matched set and crossovers.

I might have documented the stereo installation I did for that car here.

One of the benefits of the aftermarket HU was freeing up room on the center stack. I put an OE cubby where the tape desk used to be. I used a mech-less HU with display color options, Bluetooth streaming, hands free calling, and iPod control. It worked fantastic.

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Boom!

Mech-less Kenwood

http://www.amazon.com/kenwood-KMRM31.../dp/B019FEW7EI

Same one with a better description:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...MR-M315BT.html


__________________

I run this Kenwood amp in my NA. I bridged it and it rocks. It is very small. I mounted mine on the rear bulkhead behind the passenger seat. I ran the RCA cords up the trans tunnel carpet. I did something similar with the 10ae. I left the Bose amps in the car because they are deep in the centerstack near the heater core. I just ran new wire from the amp to the front, and doors in the factory channels. Took a little time but I was really pleased with the outcome and it wad all hidden...looked stock.

This amp is so small, it MIGHT ft under the seat.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o06_s00

[—tsingson—]

50w RMS is more than enough to power some good mid ranges. I am going to be replacing my doors also. Looking at 6.5" mids.

[— kung fu jesus —]

50 RMS is a myth. You start to overdrive the system. 100w/per is a good place to start.

[Hyper]

Coincidently I was looking to upgrade the radio features without modding the radio cause I like the factory look. All I need is bluetooth connectivity to listen to my trance playlists on Mixcloud.com

I found out I.L. Motorsports sells a Bluetooth kit on their website that plugs into the factory connector in 1998-2008 OEM radio. It cost 99 euros, see below

http://www.ilmotorsport.com/shop/art...88421a285a0392

[HarryB]

I have a Pioneer unit installed by the previous owner. It is a great HU, however not a fan of the looks. I personally find the silver surround a bit out of place with tan, I will be replacing mine with a black one soon-ish. I also plan to do a Nexus tablet install with a barebones amp, just for the DIY. Another option I was looking (for more retro-feel) is using a retro-looking radio unit and fabricating a blanking plate. Something like the one Adam uses on Sharka. Another beautiful retro/clean looking unit comes from continental:

[Demon I Am]

Blanking plates look great in black cars. they look out of place in a tan/bright silver interior. That pic is exactly how I want my install, clean, and flush, but still fitting the the modern interior

[HarryB]

Well..I always found the silver accents more matching in a black interior, IMO it helps breaking the dullness of black. I loved that mine were silver at first (on a '04 tan interior like yours), but when I took a look at a buddy's '02 interior (tan with black radio bezel/trim), I found it more matching than silver; thus I will be swapping mine for a black one soon. Would love to do a black anodized or proper woodgrain one at some point tho. Just a pair of random thoughts that might be of some help (or not).

Anyway, back to topic!

[— kung fu jesus —]

Tony, keep in mind there are a lot of different silver colors. An aftermarket silver may not match your silver in the car.