Steviewevie

Thread resurrection time again ! Am I reading this correctly, in that since I am replacing my OEM head unit with an aftermarket head unit, and therefore using the bypass lead (I have a Sport model), and I don't have OEM satnav, I might as well remove the OEM amp because it's not going to be used ?

It would be handy if there was a nice front-end shot where you could easily see if it had an intercooler or not !

With RWD you haven't got much weight over the back wheels. Try putting some heavy stuff in the boot to see if that helps, e.g. a sack of sand or similar. Snow mode will only help to numb the throttle response, it's not going to increase traction.

no it isnt, but its considerably cheaper, even with the add on features It's not much cheaper when you add on the price for the Bluetooth unit (£195 vs £220 for the Pioneer), and then it doesn't have specific iPod control as far as I can see, just a generic USB connection.

Yeah I'm pretty sure I couldn't manage to slide mine, and just prised it straight out.

One thing I wasn't sure about is that a mic isn't mentioned with most of these. Just downloaded the installation manual for the double-DIN Pioneer and it looks like it does come with one. I do like that Pioneer the more I look at it, seems like a good price too (around £220 or a bit less including VAT). I guess if any iPod charges via a USB connection then it should be able to connect into the USB port at the back and charge. And presumably also play too ? Though I don't know if the iPod-specific functionality (i.e. controlling it from the head unit I presume ?) needs specific support.

Oh and don't forget to remove your HIDs What HIDs officer ?

Any thoughts on the Bluetooth bit ? ok, the head unit can talk to my phone, what would I need to make it fully legal to use while driving ?

The connectors only work one way. Quite often on the IS200 it seems that you have to connect them up the "wrong" way round, but it looks like you've discovered that now :D

Thanks John. I'd looked at the DEH-P800BT (single DIN), amongst others, but i should consider your one too.

Make sure you do click them into place soon, otherwise you may get condensation inside the headlamp if it's not sealed.

Not sure really. Depends on how much I need to spend to get something decent. Say up to £300 ? If I can get something good for a lot less than that then - great !

Maybe it's too late now, but although it's a fiddle you definitely should be able to do it without removing the passenger headlamp. Remove some of the other bulbs to make yourself a bit more room.

I haven't got one at the moment, I was just wondering what position I'd be in if, say, I bought one in 6 months' time. At that stage I imagine it would be one of the latest ones I'd get, since the older ones would have all gone.

ok, that's interesting, thanks. You would think that they could "fix" that by just providing a different iPod attachment cable for existing head units though. So does that mean that pretty much no head units at the moment work with the latest iPods ?

You could be right, based on my attempts to take out my dash tray (broke the felt pad bit) and to retrieve my CDs stuck inside my head unit (now in *lots* of pieces, the head unit, that is)

ok, my old ERR3-producing OEM head unit is now in lots of bits. But at least I got my CDs back out of it ! I need to sort out a new head unit. Just starting to think about what sort of thing I might want and have been looking around to get some ideas. I think a single DIN CD unit will do me fine. I don't really need DVD capability, as long as I've got CDs and a radio I should be fine. I don't have an iPod but I guess compatibility would be useful for if I get one at some point in the future. The ones I was looking at all seem to say they're compatible with iPods back to the previous generation, but not the latest ones. Is this usual, e.g. you have to get a 2009 model head unit to work with the newest iPods ? Or is there normally some sort of update to make these head units work with the latest iPods ? Obviously if I don't have an iPod yet but I got one later on, then it's not likely to be an older model. Bluetooth would probably be useful too but I don't totally understand it. I've got Bluetooth on my phone, and I understand the concept of it linking with the head unit. But what about a microphone, most of them don't seem to include one ? Is this something you also add or am I missing something ? Also, what is needed to make it totally hands-free legal ? Do I just need a fixed cradle along with Bluetooth capability ? I've already ordered a fascia and amp bypass lead (I have a Sport model IS200) off eBay. I'm not planning on changing the speakers or adding a sub-woofer, will just stick with the OEM speaker setup. Any other obvious things that I should perhaps be thinking about ?

Breaker's ?

I think that Maplin's (where I bought the set with the one in the picture) had that same set and that bit was smaller, though I could be wrong. Blimey that Screwfix set is cheap though ! No, the bolt is metal. I supposed I could drill it out if it comes to it. Hmm, that's not a bad idea. Think I've got both of those, I'll have a look.

Why do you need to remove the headlight assembly to install HIDs ? The bulbs are inserted from the rear of the assembly, which you can get to from the engine bay. It's a bit tight on the passenger side and you might have to remove some other bulbs to get the wiring out of the way, but it shouldn't be that hard. Or are you trying to retrofit whole HID headlamp assemblies from later IS200s ? Those won't fit easily.

I have some exterior lighting on my house, and the bulb in one has gone. Problem is, the casing has a strange sort of security bolt on it, as below : Any ideas as to what sort of tool I need to take this off ? I found some drill/screwdriver bits with two prongs that might do the job, although I don't have one big enough (yet). Is this what I need, albeit in the right size ?

Yeah, that's partly why I took the picture, I was gobsmacked how small it is !

Looks like 84999-10320

Thanks guys, I figured it out myself before seeing your replies here. Here's a pic of the switch and the tiny bulb next to it. My next question was going to be the part number, so thanks Kam05, that's just what I needed ! :D

I've just looked at one of the seat heater buttons and they have two plastic screw-type things on the underside, whereas the TRC/Snow button has one. Are these the bulbs ? Because the seat heaters have two bulbs (on/off and the night-time illumination) whereas the TRC/Snow presumably just has one ? If so, this screw doesn't seem to turn very far, does it just pull out ?