C30 Aftermarket Head Unit - What Options Are There?

[Jerry1975]

Hi there,

The OE stereo on my 07 C30 2.0d S is terrible and I'm looking at getting a replacement head unit for it.

I've seen on here that a common unit is the Bluepower BLP-990 which people have had varied results with, but I'm intrigued by the numerous other head units on eBay for a much lower cost.

I'm sure some of them aren't great (though I'm sure they will be an improvement over the standard crappy thing) but my main query is if any of them will actually fit in the standard dash seeing as it isn't completely rectangular in shape (i.e. slightly narrower at the bottom).

The usual eBay fitment thing says that none of the models on there fit the Volvo S40 or C30 when you select specific model but it says they do fit either the S40 or C30 in general.

Has anyone bought one of these and can they be made to fit without having to chop lumps out of the standard fascia?

Here's a couple of examples..

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F173403635237

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F123345241772

Any ideas??

J

[Slackey]

Other than the Bluepower Unit I think you will find your options to replace are nil. The Volvo uses a very complicated system that uses, to the best of my knowledge, fibre optics. Basically you are stuck with what you have or go for the Bluepower....not a lot else I’m afraid

[Jerry1975]

Thanks for the reply.

In what way does it use fibre optics though?

The unit in my car is the poverty spec version and doesn't appear to be sophisticated (it certainly doesn't sound it )

Would a completely new aftermarket unit with it's own amp and wiring loom not do the job?

J

[Paddy94]

Originally Posted by Jerry1975

Thanks for the reply.

In what way does it use fibre optics though?

The unit in my car is the poverty spec version and doesn't appear to be sophisticated (it certainly doesn't sound it )

Would a completely new aftermarket unit with it's own amp and wiring loom not do the job?

J

You'll find it's almost impossible to wire up another stereo system due to how the climate controls and stock radio are one integrated system.

[Sysyphus]

Originally Posted by Paddy94

You'll find it's almost impossible to wire up another stereo system due to how the climate controls and stock radio are one integrated system.

This...

and as if that wasn't enough, there really is physically no room for an industry standard unit in the waterfall without significant surgery... the waterfall is secured to the dash via two screws just behind the display... a regular unit would go too deep in... you'd have to cut the waterfall and find a different way to secure it at the top to prevent vibration... and then you have the problem of what to do about the climate and menu displays.

the Bluepower gets around this by mounting the display in the waterfall and the actual unit in the glovebox, and uses a ribbon cable to overlay the climate/menu display from the oem display on to their screen...

At the end of the day what you get with the BLP-990A is one of those cheap and cheerful Android units split into two along with a ribbon cable and an expensive wiring loom

[Jerry1975]

Hmm... plenty to think about then

Think I'll just upgrade the speakers for the time being and see how much that improves things, and then maybe try and find a Bluepower unit somewhere.

As ever, thanks for the feedback guys - very helpful!

J

[Spookym]

Hi
I have given up on a head unit as there’s not much out there
Tried Bluepower but found it not good enough
But I have found thishttps://www.volvoforums.org.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=129253&stc=1&d=1594741 451

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by Spookym

Hi
I have given up on a head unit as there’s not much out there
Tried Bluepower but found it not good enough
But I have found thishttps://www.volvoforums.org.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=129253&stc=1&d=1594741 451

more info plz, what is that? mounted in place of oem satnav?

[lockstock]

Originally Posted by LizardOfBodom

more info plz, what is that? mounted in place of oem satnav?

looks like an ali express android special... do a search on google and they show up... I'd guess it's a cheaper, even less reliable version of blue power that fits cars that had the full speaker set up or factory satnav.

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by lockstock

looks like an ali express android special... do a search on google and they show up... I'd guess it's a cheaper, even less reliable version of blue power that fits cars that had the full speaker set up or factory satnav.

possible, but how it connects to the whole system, I wonder... similar way as BP or some other method. Looks interesting for sure