Genuine Citroen Upgrade

[JakeWazza]

Basically my DS3 only came with the standard head unit, and I was interested in upgrading but keeping it all genuine citroen, I just want bluetooth and my phone to sync really.

Anybody know if it is possible to go to a dealer and get the upgrade? If so how much?

Thanks.

[ZACK]

A bit of searching never hurt anyone.

It's possible but very expensive, you'd be better off buying aftermarket with BlueTooth built in.

[JakeWazza]

I searched and all I seem to find is people posting about bluetooth problems, nothing on getting an upgrade from a dealer.

[David Feast]

Hi Jake,

I looked at doing this for one of my customers a short while ago.

The closest thing I found that 'looked' factory was the Dension GW-Pro.
Once installed it gave full Bluetooth & iPod integration with the factory radio, with all control being done through the stereo buttons or steering wheel (as per factory kit).

Couple of points though:
Its only compatible with the larger style LCD display (with icons for radio, Aux etc) not the standard one.
It wasn't 'seemless' in its integration. Loads of glitches that Dension showed no interest in fixing, poor phone sync, repeated system crashes etc.
Navigation of the phone side of things was very poor, not at all intuitive or the same as the genuine kit.

Its now been replaced by the GW-Pro BT.
Any better?
Doubt it, but I have no 1st hand experience with one!

Best bet (as Zack says) is to go for a replacement stereo with iPod & BT built in (Alpine CDE-173BT is very good), but factor in the cost of the steering wheel interface & aerial adaptor too.


HTH

Dave

[JakeWazza]

Hi Jake,

I looked at doing this for one of my customers a short while ago.

The closest thing I found that 'looked' factory was the Dension GW-Pro.
Once installed it gave full Bluetooth & iPod integration with the factory radio, with all control being done through the stereo buttons or steering wheel (as per factory kit).

Couple of points though:
Its only compatible with the larger style LCD display (with icons for radio, Aux etc) not the standard one.
It wasn't 'seemless' in its integration. Loads of glitches that Dension showed no interest in fixing, poor phone sync, repeated system crashes etc.
Navigation of the phone side of things was very poor, not at all intuitive or the same as the genuine kit.

Its now been replaced by the GW-Pro BT.
Any better?
Doubt it, but I have no 1st hand experience with one!

Best bet (as Zack says) is to go for a replacement stereo with iPod & BT built in (Alpine CDE-173BT is very good), but factor in the cost of the steering wheel interface & aerial adaptor too.


HTH

Dave

Ah I just thought standard would be better for everything, but I only have the standard LCD display too, I had taken it in to my local citroen but it is only a tiny garage in a village and they didn't have a clue. Was going to take it to Wigan Citroen but might not bother now. The only reason I was put off aftermarket was due to in my last car the signal quality was a lot poorer with my Sony.

Thanks for the help though.

[David Feast]

The irony with this is that the Dension kit needs the higher spec display to work, but you only get that particular display if you have the BT & USB option!

Think that the C4 Picasso and some Pugs had the larger display as standard, but that was it.


Dave

[David Feast]

What was your last car BTW?

By signal quality I presume you mean radio reception?


Dave

[JakeWazza]

It was only a Corsa but yeah the reception was awful. It's stupid, I asked the salesman when I bought my car but I've not been back to the garage since as it's quite far away. Sure he mentioned it being an option but yeah we shall see.

Thanks for the help.

[David Feast]

You might find that the reason the radio reception was bad was because whoever fitted it may not have used the correct aerial adaptor.
Certain cars, including Vauxhalls and Citroens, need an adaptor that combines the signal with a power feed.
Without this, FM will work but at a reduced quality and AM or MW will be non-existent.
If they did use the right part, it may just have been a duff radio. But most likely the wrong adaptor!

So basically, don't let it put you off swapping the radio in your DS!

HTH

Dave

[JakeWazza]

You might find that the reason the radio reception was bad was because whoever fitted it may not have used the correct aerial adaptor.
Certain cars, including Vauxhalls and Citroens, need an adaptor that combines the signal with a power feed.
Without this, FM will work but at a reduced quality and AM or MW will be non-existent.
If they did use the right part, it may just have been a duff radio. But most likely the wrong adaptor!

So basically, don't let it put you off swapping the radio in your DS!

HTH

Dave

Haha I fitted it myself, probably messed it up, could do with some advice then as I thought you could just straight swap, I was also looking at maybe upgrading speakers at the same time, all discreet as possible though, so hopefully you couldn't tell.