Trading in my BMW 330Ci for a 2005 G35 6MT very soon! Was actually test driving one this morning. They have a few on the lot - some with NAV, some without.

Is the factory NAV worth it? It's like $2000 extra. Does it do anything else besides helping you find your way on the roads? Like does it show radio/CD info on it?

Will I be cursing myself if I dont get it?

 

It does alot more than get you to where you need to go...

1) It gives you your average MPG, and how many miles you have till empty.
2) It tells you when you are approaching your next tune up via time line like description.
3) You can search by phone number, point of interest and ofcourse address.
4) It also allows you to search for a "quick stop" arranged by "ATM, FOOD...etc... So for example if you choose ATM, it will show you all the closest ATMs to where ever you are at that point in time.

There ARE ALOT of people on this forum who have posted regreting getting it, I hope you won't be one of em if you don't.

The bad side is you can't watch DVDs on there since the ROM only reads data...but if you want to watch DVDs, I'd say go for an aftermarket one or else do the NAV to DVD conversion as described in the sticky above, but that would cost more or as much as doing an aftermarket unit that can do all, including watch DVDs...here is a link...read it carefully! You may go with this instead...I have the OEM navi, and I regret getting it after seeing this.

https://g35driver.com/forums/showthr...ght=navigation

 

I have it and have only used it once really. I got it because I wanted a loaded car (plus it complimented the interior). It looks cool and will eventually be helpful.
I dont think with or without is a bad choice. Its just what matters to you.

Now aftermarket is 100x better than the stock system. But you will have to contend with the possibility of theft(a big neg for me). Since there are now better looking aftermarket nav setups. I would probably not have gotten the nav. Damn skaline with his kenwood setup .

 

Thanks for the posts guys. I'm leaning towards NOT getting the factory NAV, but getting an aftermarket unit.

Can someone list the really good/hot DVD/NAV units that are out now? I saw some posts mentioning Eclipse and Kenwood. Do these replace the factory radio in the car? Anone have links to some posts with pics?

Thanks

 

this is a double din aftermarket head unit, $2500 installed, touch screen, navi, dvd player, mp3, cd, radio, works wirh PS2, XBOX, GameCube, etc... steering wheel controls still work with a pac swi-x

Eclipse AVN 2454, but theres 2 newer models

the double din dash kit is ordered from japan, costs $400 cause you need a new A/C controller also...

 

i think the nav is great. i've used it a dozen times because i'm house shopping and it definitely comes in handy. yes, the joystick sucks, it should be able to play dvd movies, and it's not the best out there. but, putting in an aftermarket nav may get quite expensive, you're at risk for theft, it may not have a motorized pop-up screen (only in the 05's), and it may "disturb" the natural designs of the interior. like with any other option you can get with new cars, you can go oem or aftermarket....there are always pros and cons for both. if you have a friend with a g35 and nav, play around with his/her or go to the dealer and spend more time playing with nav.

 

$400 for the double-din dash kit?! wow, seems high.

So Grider35, your total price came out to $2500 - that includes the radio/nav unit, double-din dash kit plus installation?

Any links for purchasing the new dash kit?

 

The nav is great if you are going to keep the stock unit. If you know you are going to change the stock unit then don't get the stock nav.

 

yes everything was $2500 installed, including the dd kit, its way worth it imo, only $500 more than stock and you get touch screen, dvd player, an auxiliary input for PS2, etc...

http://www.g-owners.com/article_read.asp?id=33

scroll down a bit and youll see an email address... yosh!taka at J's Garage

email the guy, he will confirm, then you fax him your drivers license, then he will email you a website to pay at, then he sends you the goods, youll get it in 2-4 weeks!

 

how much was the install? because, wouldn't the total price be dependant on the install cost which can vary quite a bit. in your case, i know that orange county, in general, is on the cheaper side for stereo installs, tints, etc. for example, i can get my windows tinted for $125 in o.c. but the cheapest place here in norcal is $200 or so.

 

Hey Grider35c, so i guess you didnt do the install yourself? How much was all the parts by themselves, without installation?

I'd like to do the install myself. I'm not a radio install expert but it doesnt seem to hard.

Anyone in the NJ area who has done this type of aftermarket DVD/NAV install?

Thanks everyone for thier input and links.

I'm in talks with my dealer for an 05 G35 6MT fully loaded except NAV for $35000. Good deal?

 

Every penny!. I had it on my Sedan, on my Coupe, and now on my M. I love it.
C.

 

well i got it installed in my 04 G35 but totalled the car, so removed it myself and put it back in myself into my new 05 G35... so technically i did install it myself

as for the install, i paid $200... but the $2500 fluctuates cause the head unit price changes so much and now theres 2 new models, one cheaper, one more expensive

 

ordered my G with the Nav kit

though i dont travel that much, I fell in love with the nav and wouldnt buy another car without one.

its nicely integrated into the car via electronics and fit.

one time i needed to find a location and it wasnt comming up on the street list... typed in the # and bingo directions right to my destination.

im sure you can get more features from an aftermarket however fit/finish/reliablity/etc 'd still take the factory one.

gl on your choice

ppp

 

Now that I have the NAV for 3 months, I don't think I'll ever get another car without it.

As for aftermarket vs. OEM, I didn't mind the $2K price, compared to the price of an aftermarket unit, double din dash kit, new A/C controls, wiring, PAC converter, GPS antenna, etc. plus the OEM is under the standard warranty.

Add up those costs and negatives, and the stock NAV was worth it for me, and will be for future cars.