The circuit board for my HU/HVAC stopped working over a month ago and I just found out from Infiniti that because this work has already been done once on my car before they won't cover the costs of replacing the unit again.

I was planning on getting a finisher/circuitboard off of the forums to replace mine but I'm also thinking about getting the DD finisher and a new HU. I want to keep costs down but there may be a chance that a replacement Bose unit could fail later on too and I'd be back to where I am now. Is there a difference in failures between the 2003 and 2004 Bose HU's?

Also, going DD I know I can go with the JDM finisher or a Metra kit but I want to keep the dual-zone climate control and I'll have to do more work (solder the button) and spend more money with the JDM piece. Of course going DD will allow me more freedom to upgrade the rest of the stereo later on but now the costs for the DD HU is could be quite large.

What should I do:

1. Replace with used Bose from forum - cheapest but could fail again but I already have steering wheel controls and iPod input
2. Send existing HU to Clarion for repair - need to buy HU to fill space in meantime - probably not going to do this but second least expensive
3. Buy JDM kit, solder button, buy aftermarket HU with iPod cable and steering wheel control cable - most options available but most work and highest cost
4. Buy Metra kit and new HU with iPod cable and steering wheel cable - lower cost than JDM, less work but ugly buttons.
5. Pay Infiniti the $400 for a new HU and $200 for labour - ya right.

 

I am in the exact same boat as you..

 

My motto is, never just replace, always upgrade when possible.

#3 FTW!

 

^+1

 

Well then what DD HU do people suggest? Obviously I'm trying to keep the costs down (which will be high considering I need a black finisher and they are hard to come by).

To keep costs down I don't need navigation but I'll want iPod integration and keep my steering wheel controls. Is it possible to do it for around $500?

 

If I can find a black DD finisher (or be able to paint a titanium one to match) then I think this is what I would get for a HU:
Pioneer FH-P8000BT
$250 or so.

 

#3 FTW!!!

use this as an opportunity to actually improve the car...don't disrespect it by putting another POS HU again. You can get some great inexpensive aftermarket HU's these days.

I personally don't like the Metra....

doc

 

all I need is a black JDM finisher then if they exist...

 

^ they do exist, it just almost impossible to find one right now. I would go DD unit stock system is crap.

 

I'm searching for this answer but does anyone know if it's possible to paint the titanium finisher black and match it fairly well?

 

is there the cheap looking JDM finisher?

i have that ugly color interior.. u know, not titanium or black..
what's that ugly color called?

 

It's called "willow". The JDM finisher comes in all three colors but titanium is the one that is more available than the other two.

 

As far as painting goes, anything is possible.

 

Is it possible to transplant the buttons from the stock finisher onto the Metra? My plan is to buy the black finisher from Yoshi (he sells everything at a good price) but to save the costs on the JDM controller I was going to buy the Metra kit and swap the buttons.

I don't know how Metra can sell their entire kit for less than the cost of the JDM controller alone. Obviously the JDM controller is way overpriced as Metra has to be using a very similar circuit design, the only difference being the material the buttons are made of.

 

Sorry to hijack, but anyone know where I could order the willow JDM kit?