How i replaced my broken HU850 Stereo

[S60D5-185]

Hi,
about a week ago my HU 850 stereo unit developed a major fault http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=152688 and after being quoted £280 by Marcel to fix it or £600 from RUFE to replace it i came to the conclusion that an aftermarket headunit was the only way to go as i wanted to avoid Volvo compatibility issues by using a 2nd hand unit.

I had previously installed a Parrot CK3100 Blutooth hands free which funnily enough continued to work perfectly.
Bluetooth was essential but i realised that things had moved on so looked for a good quality Radio/MP3 player with integreated Bluetooth.
I finally settled on a new Alpine CDE W235BT with integrated Parrot and separate mike for £195.
I ordered the proper Volvo double din blanking Plate and was told that it would take a few days to arrive as there were none of the facelft plates in the country.I also bought an autoleads aerial adaptor £4.95 delivered .

Having time on my hands today i decided to make a start and was then hit by a brain wave.
If my headunit is essentially scrap why not utilise the front off it and house my new Radio unit in that. This way i would have no problem with trim not matching and a real plus point for me was that this option also meant that the Volvo phone installed could be left in place thus helping to retain a more " Factory Look "
Nothing to loose so i made a start this afternoon DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY FIRST and 3 hours later i was done and am very happy.
I cancelled the Volvo fascia plate (£46 ) that i ordered and will sell my Parrot CK3100 so should recoup some of the costs.
Once i had ascertained that the Alpine outer trim was big enough to cover all of the removed centre section from the old HU850 i cut the centre out roughly with a hacksaw and then used a Mouse sander to get everything square and nicely finished.
Yes i have lost steering wheel controls but that's no big deal and my bank balance is certainly healthier.
Hope this helps someone else in the future.

Darryl

[mikealder]

Very neat indeed - Mike

[PeteB1]

At present, my HU 850 is OK (touching side of head) but it does seem to be a bit of an unreliable unit going by what's on these forums.

Your new installation looks good.

I also like the look of the one in this thread, installed in a XC90.

[GMad]

My HU850 was taken out when I got the car, so I'd have room to fit other bits in there..

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by PeteB1

At present, my HU 850 is OK (touching side of head) but it does seem to be a bit of an unreliable unit going by what's on these forums.

Your new installation looks good.

I also like the look of the one in this thread, installed in a XC90.

Thanks, i was very happy with the performance and sound of the HU 850 and would never have contemplated changing it if it had not gone faulty.
Real pity

[outnumbered]

well if you have that amount of time why have you not done your timing belt is that not more important than music.
by the way cracking job Vic
i like

[outnumbered]

is the 6 cd seperate in the housing would it fit into the 803???? mines broke

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by outnumbered

is the 6 cd seperate in the housing would it fit into the 803???? mines broke

If it will Mike, it's yours free gratis!

Mine works ( mechanically perfectly ) so would certainly be suitable for installing in another unit.

Give me a ring tomorrow to discuss.

Cheers Tarquin

[LJD]

Not a great fan of double dins..
But hats of to you on this !!

Firstly, can the Alpine "green" lights match the volvos?

can you still use the steering wheel controls

whats the bluetooth like ?

keep us updated please

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by LJD

Not a great fan of double dins..
But hats of to you on this !!

Firstly, can the Alpine "green" lights match the volvos?

Choice of 4 colours one of which is Green

can you still use the steering wheel controls

Harness apparently available but i am not bothering

whats the bluetooth like ?

Need time to play with it tomorrow but it should be fine as it's Parrot and has the remote mike just like my old CK3100


keep us updated please

Thanks Darryl