I want to order my G35c soon and I am having second thoughts about getting the Navi vs an after market Navi DVD-TV. Is the factory Navi worth the 2GRAND? I have read the posts of other members who have the factory navi and upgaded it to DVD-TV. But, on the same hand they have had problems with it,(low sound quility-poor video when car is in motion-price of up-grade. Would going after market be my best bet, being that I want NAVI-DVD-TV?

2004 G35 Coupe 6MT- Aero (late April)
1997 BMW 540ia M5 Bumper with Angle Eyes

 

It's worth the two grand for several reasons. All posts that I have read say it's excellent. I have it and I concur. It also intergrates all of the other functions of the car such as mileage, lowering the radio volume when the voice command comes on, etc,. When you trade the car the $2,000 cost of the nav does not depreciate. In other words, it adds $2,000 to the selling price despite how old it is. In regards to the problems experienced after people modded the system to accomodate dvd, etc,. This is the very same reason why manufacturers don't honor warranties for modded items. Any system can be modified without compromising the quality of that system, but now comes the problem of getting it right.
I have read posts where some guys did the install and had no problems, while others say things just aren't working correctly. This has nothing to do with the factory nav system, which I am perfectly satisfied with. Personally, I want the dvd and other additions, but am not willing to do it unless someone else has done it and are completely happy. Then I will follow to the t what they have done. I don't remember where, but there are complete scematics in some posts about 3 months ago that covered a successful conversion in detail. I am going on the side of safety and will watch the results of the guys going with the group buy on the almost plug and play tv tuner, dvd system that is about 500.00. Since it only involves cutiing into one wire, it should allow the factory system to work without compromise. Hope all of this helps.

B/S loaded everything except aero and payments,

 

I want to get this:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pe..._38333,00.html
you have to get the double din dash from japan ~$275
and this unit is available for $1950 or so online

it has a navigation function, flipout screen, plays dvd's, mp3-cd's, regular cd's and can attach to satellite radio.

plus you can then upgrade your sound system further...

 

The Navi is probably not worth $2 grand. It is, however, worth $34 per month. Will the aftermarket let you pay it out over 5 years, cover it under warranty for 3+ years, and make your auto insurer pay to replace it in case of theft or accident?

-Jack
Obsidian '03 G35 Sports Coupe
Titanium '03 MX-5 Shinsen #532

 

The nav is definitely worth $2K.

If you dont get it now, the cost will still be close later, but you'll have a hacked up dash, a stupid flip up aftermarket ghetto screen and STILL not have the level of integration that the stock sys has. If I were you, I woud get a 350z instead - as its nav cubby is MUCH more amenable to aftermarket solutions. My Z has an alpine system in there - which I like better than the stock nav - as I can get 3 additional inputs.

Regarding the mute function - my Z's alpine system plays through an amplified speaker cleverly installed under the dash. It wasnt until we got an fx35/awd/tech that I realized how much I HATE the auto-mute function.
So if you have to get the G - go stock nav. If you want a Z, get the pioneer/alpine. BTW I like the alpine better - the pioneer has voice recognition and plays DVDs, but the voice recog is still poor, you'll still need inputs. Also, do you really want to take out you nav dvd all the time? A stand-alone DVD player is $200!

 

I've never seen a post from someone saying they wished they didn't get the Nav. There have been countless posts from people saying they wish they HAD gotten the Navy though.

Russ

Black w/willow, 6MT, nav, & aero
Jax, FL

 

yea..i am one of them, wishing i can go back and get my navi !! sigh again!

03, twilight blue (not a special color anymore!! that sucks!!) prem, HID, too bad didnt get sports suspension and navi !!!

 

Got a question about the NAV, don't you need to get the premium in order to get the NAV so the total cost would be around $4000. Also if I ever wanted to upgrade the audio system, I would have to work around the NAV and it might create some problems.

2003 G35 Coupe 6mt Diamond Graphite
1992 Jeep Cherokee Blk 5.5 RE lift /w 33s
AIM= bkchang79

 

Nav is the way to go!

2003.5 G35C BL/GR, NAV, PREM, AERO, TINT, SPORT, Valentine 1