Hey Soumen, thank you for sharing the link for Harmonixx, I briefly interacted with him over mails. The next couple of lines here is to benefit those who want to pick up an XUV 500 and upgrade the head unit and speakers at a cost that does not tear any innerwear
Variant decision:
Having gone through many many threads I was a little concerned on the purchase of an XUV 500 mainly because of the lack of information on ICE upgrade. I listen to music only while driving and I do a lot of long trips, music becomes essential. Options were to either pick up a second hand fortuner or a brand new XUV 500, W6 onwards, the infotainment comes into play and along with it other electronic gadgetry that might require to retain the OEM unit. I made up my mind about W4 variant - in this variant, there is a music system, though the display is a small LCD screen - where information is shown like a calculator. The best part of it, it has space for a 2DIN allocated to it as well, I have shown the picture in my previous posts here in this topic.
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ICE Install:
Anyway, I picked up a 2DIN - Pioneer AVH 275BT, took it to the showroom. The initial response from the accessories manager was that it cannot be done cause there is space only for a single DIN (He wans't aware that the latest XUV's W4 variant had space for a 2DIN), having proved him wrong and showing him the 2DIN space, he took on the job of fitting it into the car. And guess what!! It fits perfectly ;-) ok thats a little too much, it fits right, though there is a little silver shown on the side (you can only see this if you concentrate for it), anyway I was really happy with the job done, no warranty issues cause I got it done at the showroom. This was the most technical part of it, cause the speakers can be fitted anywhere.
I decided to reuse my existing speakers and amplifiers from my previous car, its pretty decent system. Went to Satya from EVO, his biggest concern was the replacement of the head unit, which I had sorted out for him. Apart from that based on my previous experience with him, I took the big plunge. Attaching the pictures from the install. I am not sure how I can add a video to this, would like to share the quality of music also. I'm in Bangalore, anyone interested, let me know. I'm in Mahadevpure. I am happy with the install, there are a few things which I am not happy about, but I guess thats because I got the install done in a brand new car. The job was done very well, Satya has dedicated boys with him, though they appear unapproachable, I was gladly surprised how they went about the install. I would recommend him anytime. A couple of things, damping mats - this is a big question for everyone here, I didnt have the budgets for damping mats and therefore decided to go with a foam sheet to cut noise and rattles. I must say its done a pretty good job. Costs much cheaper than mats, gets the job done. Mats also add weight to the doors, I'm not sure how sturdy the XUV 500 doors are :-), I'm no audiophile, though my choices of genres are varied from country, to regional to eletcro during those show off times ;-) and the system does its job. I'm a lay man speaking, don't have degrees to support my choices and decisions made - ultimately its my decision and I'm happy.
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Driving:
I haven't fully opened her up as yet, letting it run in. Just completed about 1500 kms. Trying to get a couple of long trips in before 5000kms. Nothing much to add her apart from what has already been discussed in detail, the steering column rubbing against the foot, difficultly to get it into 1st and 2nd, no power in 1st and 2nd, surprised power in 3rd, etc. Over all I'm happy, still getting used to the wide body of the car.
Customisation:
I decided to go with a black and white look, did a computer generated image of the same before I went all out to spend that kind of money. Here are a pics from concept to actual.
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Will share an update soon. Hope my experience with ICE upgrade helps someone.
Thank you.