Xj6 stereo series 3

[mintlev911]

Can anyone recommend somewhere in London that can install a classic looking DAB/ Bluetooth stereo in my series 3? I was thinking about the Blaupunkt Bremen?

[V12Smig]

I was thinking the same, but thought it looked too Germanic!! If the lights can be changed to green (rather then orange) I would go for one... love to see some photos of this when its done..

[xjray]

According to the specification on the website this model has 'Variocolour illumination for the buttons and the display' so should be simple to change the display colour.

I put a modern standard size set in my series 3 so that I could have CD and Bluetooth and I was able to change the display colour to a more Jaguar green. It was a very tight fit so the Bremen looks like a good option for the limited space.

Ray

[V12Smig]

Would be nice if we could get the old clarions modernised, but it doesn't seem feasible.... Ray post some photos of your install...

[xjray]

I didn't take any photos of the installation but I'll take one of the set in situ and do a description of what I did to make it fit in the next day or two.

Ray

[V12Smig]

good man...

[xjray]

I put a Kenwood radio/CD player in. It’s not the best but it met my needs and I got it at a good price.

The original set has the old fashioned two spindles that fit through the aircon facia panel with a larger cut-out for the tuning section. The newer DIN style sets obviously won’t fit the existing facia so I sourced a new old stock facia plate on ebay and cut out the centre section with a small Dremel circular saw to fit the new radio support cage (being careful not to cut the fibre optics!). I’m keeping the original panel and radio in case someone wants to refit them at some point.

The NOS panels are still available;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/401542355631 ... SwUwlbBrmp
I see that the same people now list an XJ12/XJS panel that has the oblong cut-out (which may or may not be the right DIN size?). It has slightly different wording/graphics to the XJ6 version.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164110485637 ... SwkxleX9IJ

As I said, it’s a very tight fit as the depth of the slot isn’t designed for modern sets. There are a number of wires running in the cavity behind the radio, including a particularly large, long flat earth strap, along with other bits and pieces that get in the way. I removed the centre console side trim panels to try to get access and move cables but that doesn’t give much, if any, access from what I remember but it did allow me to run the microphone cable through. With a lot of fiddling and pushing bits and pieces back and into the aperture corners as far as possible, I just about managed to squeeze it in. I clipped the phone microphone to the top of the cant rail and ran the cable behind the A pillar trim, under the dash and into the back of the centre console by the heating/cooling air box. Rather than alter the original wiring, I disconnected the standard multi pin connectors on the radio and fitted spade and bullet terminals to suit the existing power, speaker and electric aerial wiring.

It would certainly be an easier job with a shorter set! The Kenwood set is 155.5mm deep which is probably pretty standard these days.

The new set came with a DAB aerial that needs to be stuck to the windscreen with an ‘earth sheet’ that needs to be stuck to the metal bodywork. I didn’t want to do any of that so just use the existing aerial for FM and DAB. It mostly works fine but I do lose the DAB signal in weak areas (but then so does my VW T-Roc!).

I didn’t take any photos of the fitting but here’s one of the unit in situ and the microphone placement. You can see the facia panels via the links above.

Ray

[V12Smig]

Great posting Ray, thanks for all the info.. I didn't know that the DAB would still pick up signals on the standard Arial, that good to know. Your post has given me quite a few things to reconsider...

[xjray]

Happy to help.

The proper DAB aerial may well improve reception but I think the foil antenna stuck to the windscreen looks pretty ugly, especially on a classic car.

As I say, my 2019 VW loses the DAB signal sometimes so, while a bit annoying, I’m used to a bit of dropout now and then.

Ray

[mintlev911]

Thanks for your help. I have also been checking out these guys.
https://www.radiorescue.co.uk/contact-m ... car-radio/
Seems a possibility to avoid problems with fitting a modern stereo into the existing space. Anyone used them before to upgrade their existing radio?

[cafcpete]

It looks from there web site that they work on units with dial tunners not a digital display, but it’s worth asking them.

I had these people (Steve Smith) add Bluetooth to my X300 radio and I am very happy with it. Sadly at the time couldn’t add dab but that might have changed.
https://retrocaraudio.uk/


Peter

[V12Smig]

No it hasn't changed, you cant really upgrade the internals of the digital stereos, such a shame as I have a pull out Alpine that I would've like to use.