Here's my first stupid question - daily driver

[euser]

Thanks. The headlights are a big issue for me - especially since there is no legal way to upgrade lighting units.

How easy is the head unit upgrade? Does the unit control anything else or is just a straight radio/BT that doesn't include stuff like climate controls? Straight up double DIN?

Honestly, people are pretty dramatic about the headlights. Are they a light bar? No, but they don’t need to be. They are fine. I’ve never thought I needed more light, and the hi-beams light up the whole road well. Not as good as the Titan XD lights, but I get flashed in that all the time so it clearly is blinding to others.

The head unit has never rebooted or not connected for me. I have a 19 and it does everything well. I like that it does a destination search with my phones data to google addresses rather than needing me to manually enter it. I don’t watch imax 4K movies on the headunit so I find a 12 inch HD screen and unnecessary expense, however they are pretty.

The biggest thing I wish I had was adaptive cruise controls for all the idiots that can’t maintain speed in their 2020 BMWs that I know have a cruise control. Power isn’t much of an issue if you’re not lifted with giant tires. I can easily drive up the mountains around flagstaff with cruise control in 4th gear. Also, the stock speakers are kind of trash, but I’m used to the harman kardon system. I’ll probably get the oem plus audio because it looks easy.

 

[Bugser]

Thanks. The headlights are a big issue for me - especially since there is no legal way to upgrade lighting units.

How easy is the head unit upgrade? Does the unit control anything else or is just a straight radio/BT that doesn't include stuff like climate controls? Straight up double DIN?

Based on a vision issue, I need the parking sensors and the backup camera.

Know what you mean by the DOT legal issue. I plan on installing the LED's, light bars and ditch lights......you'll "probably" be ok as long as you use common sense, meaning readjust the headlights so that it doesn't shine in the other driver's eyes and key the LED bars to the high beams.

I have not changed the HU but all the reading on here says its not too bad and with Crutchfield they have all the cables to retain your factory steering wheel controls. Plus, if you plan it right with the iDAtalink you can get some additional features. I have not gotten that far on my mods to deal with the HU.. However, one of my bigger adventures will be to do [MENTION=150567]Old Red[/MENTION] 's mod to change the clock out for the 2010-2014 style data system. When I do that, the radio will be done at the same time. I'll let the other experts tell you about the HU, plus there are tons of write-ups on changing this.

 

[cb1111]

Honestly, people are pretty dramatic about the headlights. Are they a light bar? No, but they don’t need to be. They are fine. I’ve never thought I needed more light, and the hi-beams light up the whole road well. Not as good as the Titan XD lights, but I get flashed in that all the time so it clearly is blinding to others.

The head unit has never rebooted or not connected for me. I have a 19 and it does everything well. I like that it does a destination search with my phones data to google addresses rather than needing me to manually enter it. I don’t watch imax 4K movies on the headunit so I find a 12 inch HD screen and unnecessary expense, however they are pretty.

The biggest thing I wish I had was adaptive cruise controls for all the idiots that can’t maintain speed in their 2020 BMWs that I know have a cruise control. Power isn’t much of an issue if you’re not lifted with giant tires. I can easily drive up the mountains around flagstaff with cruise control in 4th gear. Also, the stock speakers are kind of trash, but I’m used to the harman kardon system. I’ll probably get the oem plus audio because it looks easy.

Know what you mean by the DOT legal issue. I plan on installing the LED's, light bars and ditch lights......you'll "probably" be ok as long as you use common sense, meaning readjust the headlights so that it doesn't shine in the other driver's eyes and key the LED bars to the high beams.

I have not changed the HU but all the reading on here says its not too bad and with Crutchfield they have all the cables to retain your factory steering wheel controls. Plus, if you plan it right with the iDAtalink you can get some additional features. I have not gotten that far on my mods to deal with the HU.. However, one of my bigger adventures will be to do [MENTION=150567]Old Red[/MENTION] 's mod to change the clock out for the 2010-2014 style data system. When I do that, the radio will be done at the same time. I'll let the other experts tell you about the HU, plus there are tons of write-ups on changing this.

Thanks guys. I know people are all wrapped around the axle about LED headlights, but if the stock lights are adequate (and you can add driving lights) then that is one less concern. It would be extremely embarrassing if I ran afoul of the DOT regs.

As long as the radio is mostly OK then I'm fine with it - as long as the phone works mostly OK. I hate Sirius/XM with a passion because they are an awful company and you can get most everything on your phone anyway. I assume you can do Aux via BT with the stock unit.

I just spent a few minutes browsing Crutchfield and it looks like a swap is fairly straight forward - not like most modern cars.

Another question, my GSD will be going with us most of the time. Does the AC do OK back there? She'll be in the hatch.

 

[cb1111]

I dropped by a dealer today on an early lunch break. This is a dealer that I'd not have considered but they had a fairly decent selection and were convenient to work.

No limiteds but I drove a pro and a SR5 premium. On a short'ish drive, they both drove pretty much the same.

Next up, a limited. Does the limited's auto AC get the hatch are cooler than the regular AC?

Once I figure out what I think I want, then I'll see about renting one for a weekend.