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


Edit: Link to original thread