Hello, my name is david and I finally kicked the bose habit!
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: SC
Hello, my name is david and I finally kicked the bose habit!
Just wanted some input from you nice Z owners out there. This weekend I got the Bose stock HU ripped out and a Panasonic 983U HU installed with a Metra dash kit. I know most of you would not have chosen panasonic, but I have a panasonic Sirius Tuner and I wanted to be able to use it. So far I am completely happy with it so no problems there.
The problems started at the installer. I got a lot of recommendations and the guy I talked to seemed knowledgable enough, but I can't help feeling a little ripped off. I bought the HU online, already had the Sirius Tuner, and also bought the dash kit online so I didn't have any hardware to buy at the installer except maybe the wiring harness.
What I had wanted to do was to just replace the stock HU and then listen to the new HU and decide if I wanted new speakers. They explained to me that I'd need some sort of adapter called a Vindicator if I did not replace all the speakers and add a new amp. I kinda understood him because I knew from this forum that Bose was difficult to remove from a car. So I went in after they got everything apart and listened. I didn't like it there, but the guys was now quoting me 1500-2000 on top of what they had already done to change out the speakers and add a 400W amp. That was WAY above what I was planning on spending so I just told him to put it back together with just the new HU, dashkit and the sat tuner.
Well all said and done it was 435 dollars for the whole job which I felt was on the high end. Then I go out to the car and see that the HU was actually recessed into the metra dash kit! It was at least 1/2 inch in there, so much so that the faceplate wouldn't even fold down all the way to take in a CD! The installer explained that something was wrong with the kit and that he was't able to pull it out anymore. I knew that was BS because the metra kit was made JUST for the 350z.
I was pissed and went back in to complain. Long story short I got the manager to basically give me another kit that had a spacing collar in it that was able to push the HU into place. BUT he charged me for the 30 min additional labor to do it.
Now the HU looks fine, but it gives about 1/8 of an inch on the left side. I don't like it, but I was tired of dealing with the crap.
I guess after my long story here I want to know what you guys think about the situation. Was the cost to install all that correct? Was the installer wrong for not making me happy?
-DTF
The problems started at the installer. I got a lot of recommendations and the guy I talked to seemed knowledgable enough, but I can't help feeling a little ripped off. I bought the HU online, already had the Sirius Tuner, and also bought the dash kit online so I didn't have any hardware to buy at the installer except maybe the wiring harness.
What I had wanted to do was to just replace the stock HU and then listen to the new HU and decide if I wanted new speakers. They explained to me that I'd need some sort of adapter called a Vindicator if I did not replace all the speakers and add a new amp. I kinda understood him because I knew from this forum that Bose was difficult to remove from a car. So I went in after they got everything apart and listened. I didn't like it there, but the guys was now quoting me 1500-2000 on top of what they had already done to change out the speakers and add a 400W amp. That was WAY above what I was planning on spending so I just told him to put it back together with just the new HU, dashkit and the sat tuner.
Well all said and done it was 435 dollars for the whole job which I felt was on the high end. Then I go out to the car and see that the HU was actually recessed into the metra dash kit! It was at least 1/2 inch in there, so much so that the faceplate wouldn't even fold down all the way to take in a CD! The installer explained that something was wrong with the kit and that he was't able to pull it out anymore. I knew that was BS because the metra kit was made JUST for the 350z.
I was pissed and went back in to complain. Long story short I got the manager to basically give me another kit that had a spacing collar in it that was able to push the HU into place. BUT he charged me for the 30 min additional labor to do it.
Now the HU looks fine, but it gives about 1/8 of an inch on the left side. I don't like it, but I was tired of dealing with the crap.
I guess after my long story here I want to know what you guys think about the situation. Was the cost to install all that correct? Was the installer wrong for not making me happy?
-DTF
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6
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From: Ft. Worth, TX area
Yes and no. Yes, any retail organization is going to try to do the least amount of work for the most money. But in the end, your being pissed at them is DEFINATELY justifiable. Im willing to bet that the dealership's salesman didnt have an installer make a custom quote, which is what they should have done in the first place. They inevitably should have charged you custom labor (probably a lot more than what you ended up paying all totalled) but they would have done it right the first time. They screwed up by not doing their homework, and they paid for it in time, money, and an utter lack of customer satisfaction. To my knowledge, there is no specific kit for a 350z yet. They probably had to cannibalize another nissan kit to make it work for you, which is why the kit is a bit "off".
Chances are, they did the best they could with what they had. But again, they should have told you that up front, and taken the time to offer you a custom solution like a hand built face kit. Just my opinion man.. hope it helps.
Chances are, they did the best they could with what they had. But again, they should have told you that up front, and taken the time to offer you a custom solution like a hand built face kit. Just my opinion man.. hope it helps.
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