Avant 4 vs Xtrons Head unit

[Dat.E46M3]

I want to know people’s opnions about these Two head units.
Right now I have an OEM Head unit. I can barely see the screen…
I don’t know which one is better, Avant 4, or the Xtrons.
Is there’s any other head unit close to OEM look besides those two?

[maw1124]

Neither. Get a Dynavin and do it once.

maw

[I M Legend]

Unfortunately, the AVIN is the only one that looks factory so there's really not much choice unless you don't care. Despite that, it's a good unit. Just overpriced.

[maw1124]

It is a shame Dynavin started putting their name on the front of the units. Mine is from just before that change apparently (early N7 Pro). So it still looks stock enough that no one knows.

maw

[Dat.E46M3]

I never heard about Dynavin until now! I actually like them better than avin, and xtron. I am doing some research about it. Might be the one to replace the OEM

[maw1124]

I never heard about Dynavin until now! I actually like them better than avin, and xtron. I am doing some research about it. Might be the one to replace the OEM

Just call them up at Dynavin North America. Jeff Bechtel (owner) is notorious for exemplary customer service, and his new people are good too.

maw

[Dat.E46M3]

Just call them up at Dynavin North America. Jeff Bechtel (owner) is notorious for exemplary customer service, and his new people are good too.

maw

awesome! Thank you

[Obioban]

I know it's superficial, but I just can't get past the fisher price sized buttons on the Dynavin.

[maw1124]

I know it's superficial, but I just can't get past the fisher price sized buttons on the Dynavin.

If you care about your music you'll be too busy listening.

maw

[Obioban]

If you care about your music you'll be too busy listening.

maw

I don't... I listen to audio books and podcasts.

... and only have 2 speakers in my car, which were chosen by weight.

[AWE46M3]

I have an Avant 4 and it’s been nothing but problems.

They’ve sent me 3 canbus decoders and my steering wheel controls still don’t work. It’s super hit or miss in terms of connectivity via USB. Wireless Apple CarPlay is nice but it kills the battery quick. The head unit doesn’t provide enough power to keep the phone charged while running Google maps (iPhone 14 Pro) so the phone slowly drains the longer you’re driving even with the phone plugged in.

It recently began skipping during playback and sending static through my speakers. I have 4 open tickets with their tech support and they ghosted me for over a week until I submitted a PayPal claim against my order.

I’m currently trying to swap the unit out with a replacement or get a refund altogether. Tbh I am considering going the traditional 6.8” head unit route with a double din face plate and waving goodbye to these OEM style Chinese head units running Android OS’s. Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, etc…something quality and low frills that will connect to CarPlay and bring the Bavsound speakers to life.

If you have one of these and it works, I’m sure it’s the best thing ever. If you are part of the minority of people that buy one and it sucks, it’s really sucks….


Not to trigger anyone, but this head unit install in this CSL M3 looks super clean. It goes without saying this is a crime against this community to do this to a OEM CSL M3 but objectively speaking the install is super clean and a great finished product if you’re looking to 2023 your head unit setup.

Skip to 14.04 to see fit and finish.

[oceansize]

I used this guys stuff in my car because I'm not looking for any additional functionality from my radio. Most importantly it works, every time. There is no crime and people are silly. I have the original radio and if I ever sell and the next owner is also silly then he can swap it to cure his OCD, ergo silliness.

https://shop.enfigcarstereo.com/bmw-...acement-parts/

[SQ13]

So while the Avant 4 looks like the OE head unit, I think most of the buttons are useless. The only one I use on mine is the volume dial and very occasionally the home button. For my blue car, I’ll be getting a head unit with fewer buttons or no buttons at all.

[stephen]

Not to trigger anyone, but this head unit install in this CSL M3 looks super clean. It goes without saying this is a crime against this community to do this to a OEM CSL M3 but objectively speaking the install is super clean and a great finished product if you’re looking to 2023 your head unit setup.

https://youtu.be/Oh9JPPxpPvY

I'm personally not a fan of the giant bezel. It makes the aftermarket radio look even more out of place and the interface on that Kenwood in the video looks horrific. Slow and unresponsive to boot.

[maw1124]

I used this guys stuff in my car because I'm not looking for any additional functionality from my radio. Most importantly it works, every time. There is no crime and people are silly. I have the original radio and if I ever sell and the next owner is also silly then he can swap it to cure his OCD, ergo silliness.

https://shop.enfigcarstereo.com/bmw-...acement-parts/

A friend used Christian (ENFIG) in his MB W220 S55 (with a Sony head unit). It came out clean. Looked a bit like the attached. He was happy-ish. I think it was a trial car that he never dialed in quite 100%. But given the Dynavin, I've been happy not to go that direction in the M3. I'll probably end up with something similar in the S55 (with an Alpine head unit).

The uptake is clear -- Sony, Kenwood and Alpine will be worlds better than Avin, Dynavin, XTrons, or any of those other sub-scale manufacturers. So far, given the compromise of factory look, I've been happy with Dynavin. If my car's top wasn't down all the time, I MIGHT go a different direction.

HINT: once you decide to stop making the head unit be a Nav device because phones are better for that purpose, you start to think completely differently about all of this. "Connect flawlessly and bring my speakers to life" is all you need.

maw