When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi all, Just completed replacing my gauge pod, center stack and console with new panels. Fun project Actually a bit of a pain but really didn't go too badly, and the results were worth it! My 27 year old stuff had gotten sticky over the last couple of years and deteriorated pretty rapidly. A few pictures of the new, improved look!
Gorgeous! What headunit is that? Really goes well with the interior of the car.
Thanks guys. The head unit is branded Continental (as in the tires) but I believe produced by VDO. I learned of it on the Porsche forums. A lot of 993 guys are using this as a replacement for stock units. It has a more period-correct look, which is what I was going for. It does match the new, lower-gloss plastics perfectly and has some modern features like bluetooth, USB input, etc. Here's a link - Continental/VDO head unit
New plastics make a world of difference! Nice work and the head unit looks awesome. Did you have any issues with the install? Did you get the the harness as well? How are the non-radio functions?
Looks great! I have been looking at one of the VDO/Continental head units to replace my 2DIN Kenwood, how does the illumination color match with the dash? I love the clean period look but I seem to recall that they have amber color illumination, that has held me back so far
Thanks for all the comments and kind words, all. As for the head unit, easy install. I did purchase the continental harness and you'll also want a Mazda harness available at Crutchfield and other places like Amazon. Once you have the 2 harnesses it's just a matter matching up and wiring together the various leads and plugging one into the head unit and the other into the FD factory harness. You will also need an antenna adapter since the continental has the round connector, I think it's called an ISO connector. The other end needs to be a male RCA connector to plug into the FD antenna lead. Since the Continental doesn't have a CD player the depth is short so makes it easy to fit the unit and wires in the dash.
As for functionality, I haven't really done much with it yet. I just installed it a few days ago and then started on the plastics replacement, so haven't tried a call yet, bluetooth streaming, etc. Gotta say the instructions that came with it are pretty cryptic so it'll take some time to figured stuff out. The sound quality seems pretty good on both FM and via USB, but we're talking an FD with speakers I replaced about 15 years ago so it's only going to get so good
In terms of the illumination, yes it is more amber/orange than the red/orange of the gauges, so not perfect. That's the kind of thing I really used to worry about in the past but since I don't drive the FD at night anymore it's not a big deal to me at this point. At least it's not green or blue!
Since we're on the topic of head units, here's another option that allows you to customize the illumination color. Blaupunkt Bremen SQR 46 This one also has the 90's look. I actually ordered one of these about a month ago but it's on backorder. I then discovered the Continental for less than 1/2 the price and decided it was good enough for my needs. I would imagine the Blaupunkt would be even better.
Actually a bit of a pain but really didn't go too badly, and the results were worth it! My 27 year old stuff had gotten sticky over the last couple of years and deteriorated pretty rapidly. A few pictures of the new, improved look!
