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New owner from South Manchester

C

Col_W

Active Newbie
E51 Owner
North West
Messages
17
Reaction score
27
Points
13
Location
Manchester UK
First Name
Colin
Elgrand
E51
Region
North West
Hi All,
We are picking up our 2008 Elgrand with camper conversion today.
Looking at what we want to do to the vehicle and what others recommend.
We will mainly be using it for day trips with a few overnights/weekends as we both work full time.
Already enquired about the Japanese to English conversion disc.
Another option would be to replace the standard stereo with a double din with Android Auto.
I know we could add Android Auto to the original unit but the cost is a bit too much when you compare it to adding an MMI box to a BMW.
I will look into the technicals when I gain access.
 
Welcome, replacing the standard stereo with an android unit isn't really a viable option on the later S3. English conversion is good shout, fm expander if not already fitted will give you extra radio stations.
 
Blippi said:
Welcome, replacing the standard stereo with an android unit isn't really a viable option on the later S3. English conversion is good shout, fm expander if not already fitted will give you extra radio stations.
Click to expand...
Interested why replacing isn't a viable option? Lots of double din units with a replacement fascia available. I realise there are some built in functions we would lose but as its all in Japanese already its not accessible anyway. The only thing is whether the cameras would still work. I read that the latest English conversion disk resolves the time as well.
I did find a Russian group that are offering a complete English conversion with Maps of your choice but the price is a bit high for what we want.
 
The replacement fascias I've seen are for the S1 and S2 (I've not looked too hard though) they have awkward holes for the AC controls which are situated in the panel above on the S3. As you said you would lose extra functionality like mpg, service stuff, AC blower display info, also possible issues with rear tv screen if fitted etc. I have seen a few with it done but generally they've been asking why certain things aren't working as they should.

I narrowed it down to 3 options stereo wise.

Theres Xanavi with there replacement android unit looks good but expensive.

Standalone android boxes that are wired in behind and can be had for couple of hundred on aliexpress etc. Would need to fit myself otherwise would end up costing lot more.

Or what I did was English conversion, fm expander (listen to radio mostly on short trips etc), then just added chromecast to the rca inputs so can listen to YouTube music on longer trips. Just use my phone for maps as very rare I use satnav.
 
Blippi said:
The replacement fascias I've seen are for the S1 and S2 (I've not looked too hard though) they have awkward holes for the AC controls which are situated in the panel above on the S3. As you said you would lose extra functionality like mpg, service stuff, AC blower display info, also possible issues with rear tv screen if fitted etc. I have seen a few with it done but generally they've been asking why certain things aren't working as they should.

I narrowed it down to 3 options stereo wise.

Theres Xanavi with there replacement android unit looks good but expensive.

Standalone android boxes that are wired in behind and can be had for couple of hundred on aliexpress etc. Would need to fit myself otherwise would end up costing lot more.

Or what I did was English conversion, fm expander (listen to radio mostly on short trips etc), then just added chromecast to the rca inputs so can listen to YouTube music on longer trips. Just use my phone for maps as very rare I use satnav.
Click to expand...
OK thanks. I just read about the fascias and one supplier is recommending putting a plastic strip across the front. I have seen one when we were looking for our Elgrand but it doesn't look great. I think we will go with the conversion disk and Bluetooth just for answering calls when we work out how to remove previous phones and add another phone. I managed to add one phone using Google translate to decipher the menu but every time I go back in it lists service providers instead of phones.
We are trying to work out what happened to the rear screen still and also what was added in the glove box. There are 2 wires poked through a hole with a connector on each.
 
Welcome.

It is harder to upgrade/convert your 2008 S3 audio system as it is more tied into the vehicle than what was in the S2.
There's a technical section that could possibly help you, get to 10 posts and you will have access. Alternatively upgrade to Premium Membership and get access almost straight away plus the ability to post photos, it's only £12.00 for a years membership.
 
Col_W said:
Hi All,
We are picking up our 2008 Elgrand with camper conversion today.
Looking at what we want to do to the vehicle and what others recommend.
We will mainly be using it for day trips with a few overnights/weekends as we both work full time.
Already enquired about the Japanese to English conversion disc.
Another option would be to replace the standard stereo with a double din with Android Auto.
I know we could add Android Auto to the original unit but the cost is a bit too much when you compare it to adding an MMI box to a BMW.
I will look into the technicals when I gain access.
Click to expand...
Hi ..im south manchester new Elgrand owner too ! Thats at least 2 of us then 😃!
Hope you love yours as much as we love ours and weve not even been out in her yet (for a sleep that is)
Just discovered however our horn isnt working🤕 so we need a bit of investigation !
 
debbie said:
Hi ..im south manchester new Elgrand owner too ! Thats at least 2 of us then 😃!
Hope you love yours as much as we love ours and weve not even been out in her yet (for a sleep that is)
Just discovered however our horn isnt working🤕 so we need a bit of investigation !
Click to expand...
Hi, whereabouts are you? We are near Sharston. We looked at a few local Elgrands in our search but ended up getting one from near Nottingham. Had a drive out to Glossop yesterday and a few other stores for things we will need, awning, gas bottle etc. Got the info to order the Japanese to English disc so hopefully get that sorted this week. Indicators caught me out a few times being on the right, windscreen wipers at roundabouts. Will need to investigate our rear screen more. The remote for the screen adjusts the audio volume so it must be the screen itself.
 
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