Aldi/Lidl stereos

dahamsta

Do both stores do these with Bluetooth, and is one better than the other? Also, do they have a clock that can be displayed semi-permanently?

Anyone fitted one to an e39? I know I'll need a single-DIN kit, but will I need an additional adaptor?

Redisle

I'd actually recommend this JVC unit instead of the Lidl/Aldi unit. It's not much more expensive & it's very highly regarded on testfreaks.

It has bluetooth support with audio streaming & phone calls and the call answer button is on the radio rather than the mic piece (like the lidl one) which makes mic placement much easier (I put mine in front of steering wheel). You can change the radio colour to suit your dashboard too which is a great plus & can even set different day and night colours if you wish. The bluetooth can also pair to more than one phone at a time. I also read here that it's possible to connect a USB hub to the back so you could have the bluetooth adaptor & a phone/flash drive both connected to the rear. (The bluetooth adaptor does unfortunately need one USB port).

Regarding the clock it does have a clock but I'm not 100% sure if it can be permanently displayed during music playback etc.

I have found the radio tuner in the Lidl units to be a weak point too.

I'm not familair with BMW radio wiring but a quick search suggests you will need something like this at least to get standard ISO connectors. You probably need an antenna adaptor too. Have a look on http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk.

dgt

OP those radios are absolute crap. Go to halfords and get a decent reputable make

advertsfox

Good if you have poor vents in your car as they double as a radiator with the heat off em! :P

Honestly though, a few extra bob will be worth it for the likes of that JVC or like dgt said, Halfords for the models - then look on eBay / Amazon for cheaper variants.

biko

I've had their radios in my cars for years, never a bother.
You get CD, mp3, bluetooth, USB and handsfree microphone for a small price (check the listing first, not all have all the gadgets).
Bluetooth works fine with my iphone and android.

Usually you get a 3 year warranty too - what more do you want for 70 quid?

Mr Benevolent

biko wrote: »

I've had their radios in my cars for years, never a bother.
You get CD, mps, bluetooth, USB for a small price.
Bluetooth works fine with my iphone and android.

Same here, no problem at all. Amazing how much functionality they have, brings a 10 year old car right up to date in some respects.

JohnBoy26

biko wrote: »

I've had their radios in my cars for years, never a bother.
You get CD, mp3, bluetooth, USB for a small price (check the listing first, not all have all the gadgets).
Bluetooth works fine with my iphone and android.

Usually you get a 3 year warranty too - what more do you want for 70 quid?

For a mere extra 20quid you can have that JVC which is far more asthetically pleasing and is pretty much better in every way to a lidl/aldi unit.

Mycroft H

I've a lidl unit, I dont remember paying more than fifty euro for it, its grand to be honest.

It has a USB port too :-)

dahamsta

The choice of head unit more of a moral objection, the wife has zero interest in having one in her car, it's for the passenger's benefit. Hence the clock requirement; and it is a must have.

I'm surprised by the dismissal of the Lidl and Aldi units, I know they're not the prettiest things in the world but I've never seen anyone that has one complain about them. Have the users dismissing them actually used them?

If I do go with an alternative, it'll likely be a Sony MEX-BT3900U, EOL'd now so they can be picked up at bargain prices. I'll look into that JVC though, I have a double-DIN equivalent already picked out for my own car.

biko

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

For a mere extra 20quid you can have that JVC which is far more asthetically pleasing and is pretty much better in every way to a lidl/aldi unit.

Guess I can't argue about the aesthetics, eye of the beholder and all that.

But as an example:
This is from Oct last year, CD/MP3/Bluetooth/USB/SD card.
60 euro and 3 year warranty
http://www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/special_buys3_23803.htm

Here's a similar JVC, JVC KD-X50BTE Car Radio with MP3, USB port, iPod dock and Bluetooth
95 euro and 2 year warranty
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/11957724/art/jvc/kd-x50bte-car-radio-with.html

Keith186

I have the lidl one with no Bluetooth.

Decent connectivity and that but its fairly crap. I definitely wouldn't buy one again or recommend one.

Crap reception and the presets change, 2fm is saves as number two but sometimes saves itself to 3 and 4 like a ghost did it.

dahamsta

I'm specifically talking about the Bluetooth ones from the last year or two. I've never seen any complaints about them.

monkeybutter

Have an Aldi one, it's a little chav, but most are, it jumps between stations the odd time, makes it sound like you are playing grand theft auto, but who listens to the Radio anyway.

Unless you are a Ryan Tubridy Fan that is....

MP3 playback works just fine as does bluetooth from the Phone

JohnBoy26

biko wrote: »

Guess I can't argue about the aesthetics, eye of the beholder and all that.

But as an example:
This is from Oct last year, CD/MP3/Bluetooth/USB/SD card.
60 euro and 3 year warranty
http://www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/special_buys3_23803.htm

Here's a similar JVC, JVC KD-X50BTE Car Radio with MP3, USB port, iPod dock and Bluetooth
95 euro and 2 year warranty
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/11957724/art/jvc/kd-x50bte-car-radio-with.html

Even taking into account the 1 year less warrenty on the jvc and it's 35euro extra price tag, id still rather have it over the lidl/aldi unit because at the end of the day it's still a much better quality unit and much better value for money imo.

La Haine

Would the JVC KD-X50BTE Car Radio with MP3, USB port, iPod dock and Bluetooth support be easy enough to install by myself?
I have an 04 BMW Compact with standard stereo in it.


Thanks!

tossy

La Haine wrote: »

Would the JVC KD-X50BTE Car Radio with MP3, USB port, iPod dock and Bluetooth support be easy enough to install by myself?
I have an 04 BMW Compact with standard stereo in it.


Thanks!

Great username!

dgt

dahamsta wrote: »

I'm surprised by the dismissal of the Lidl and Aldi units, I know they're not the prettiest things in the world but I've never seen anyone that has one complain about them. Have the users dismissing them actually used them?

I've had units from both Aldil and Lidla. The Lildil one (Silvercrest) failled its main function as a radio by having the crappiest reception I've ever seen in a radio. It replaced a Blaupunkt for the simple reason we wanted a cd player instead. The Blaupunkt worked perfect, it was in a large panel van. With the Silvercrest every station beyond Clonee was static, it only worked in the city. It was well equipped otherwise however the remote gave up after a year and the cd player eventually gave up :mad:

The Adla one (Medion) fell apart. The plastic screen fell off then the src button stuck, essentially jamming every other button on the face from executing their function. It had an SD card reader and remote too. I had another one that came in a car, I gave it to someone who could live with the sticky buttons

Both were bought brand new and treated with care. Needless to say, both were confined to the bin, the place for them.

I currently use a Pioneer DEH 1150 UB (I think that's the model number) I bought in 2008 brand new for €70. It gets heavy use and still works like the day I bought it. It has a very useful clock and remote too

Why make do with such sh*te when you can get a reputable brand for similar money??? The mind boggles! :rolleyes:

biko

dgt wrote: »

Both were bought brand new and treated with care. Needless to say, both were confined to the bin, the place for them.:

Did you not return them under warranty?

Now, I don't doubt that more expensive name brand have better build quality but I've never had any issues driving all over Ireland, city/rural.
Except 2 things:
The current one won't keep pre-sets but that's down (I think) to my bad wiring cutting power to it fully. I always "seek" on radios anyway so not an issue for me.
My first wouldn't work on really scorching days a few summers ago, this was down to bad air circulation behind the dash and I assume the radio protected itself. Once it cooled down in the evenings it worked again. Never figured it out fully as I sold car with stereo in it.

dgt

biko wrote: »

Did you not return them under warranty?

Now, I don't doubt that more expensive name brand have better build quality but I've never had any issues driving all over Ireland, city/rural.
Except 2 things:
The current one won't keep pre-sets but that's down (I think) to my bad wiring cutting power to it fully. I always "seek" on radios anyway so not an issue for me.
My first wouldn't work on really scorching days a few summers ago, this was down to bad air circulation behind the dash and I assume the radio protected itself. Once it cooled down in the evenings it worked again. Never figured it out fully as I sold car with stereo in it.

Never bothered with returning them, way we saw it we got the use out of them and didn't want another one. The Lidl one we hated the most as it wouldn't pick up strong signal stations outside the city, no matter where we went

I think the heat issue is protection for the unit and the preset loss is wiring as pointed out

dahamsta

dgt wrote: »

I currently use a Pioneer DEH 1150 UB (I think that's the model number) I bought in 2008 brand new for €70.

Again:

dahamsta wrote: »

I'm specifically talking about the Bluetooth ones from the last year or two. I've never seen any complaints about them.

Also similar != same, and I've already explained my reasoning. Perhaps try reading all the posts in a thread before replying. I realise it won't fit in with the general ethos of Motors, but sure give it a shot.

Happy to hear from people with the current variants. If they're as bad as they used to be, I might think again. I'm just not interesting in spending any more than I have to for the basics. It ain't my car, and the owner doesn't give a crap.

JohnBoy26

dahamsta wrote: »

Again:



Also similar != same, and I've already explained my reasoning. Perhaps try reading all the posts in a thread before replying. I realise it won't fit in with the general ethos of Motors, but sure give it a shot.

Happy to hear from people with the current variants. If they're as bad as they used to be, I might think again. I'm just not interesting in spending any more than I have to for the basics. It ain't my car, and the owner doesn't give a crap.

Well they still have that god awfull cheap looking dot matrix display which isn't a good start.

dahamsta

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Well they still have that god awfull cheap looking dot matrix display which isn't a good start.

Post 9, paragraph 2.

Anyone got any actual answers to the questions in the OP? We have a maybe on the clock, anything else?

dgt

dahamsta wrote: »

Also similar != same, and I've already explained my reasoning. Perhaps try reading all the posts in a thread before replying. I realise it won't fit in with the general ethos of Motors, but sure give it a shot.

Happy to hear from people with the current variants. If they're as bad as they used to be, I might think again. I'm just not interesting in spending any more than I have to for the basics. It ain't my car, and the owner doesn't give a crap.

I've told it like it was for us with those radios. Alas I'll have one more shot

Here's a radio we got in 2008 for circa €90 brand new. Kenwood KDC-MP-6043U


Has a clock and bluetooth. You will need a kenwood adapter for the plugs.

Based on what I've posted, would you go for the supermarket tat that lasted approx 2 years or pay slightly more for something that will work for years and you'll always get something for?

It's not my decision, I've posted what I feel necessary info on those radios. The ball is in your corner

dahamsta

Ye gods dgt, do you have shares in headset companies or something?!

That headset is half the price again of a Lidl/Aldi one, excluding the adaptor. That'd be on top of the single-DIN adaptor I'd have to buy anyway. All for a car we won't have in 2 years.

And to be fair, you're not qualified to call the Aldi/Lidl headsets tat, you haven't had one in ~4 years. Like I said earlier, anytime I've seen anyone posting about them, they were happy with them. And no-one has complained about the more modern ones yet. Is it that difficult to believe that a) they might have improved in quality, and b) they might be just fine for some people?

dgt

dahamsta wrote: »

Ye gods dgt, do you have shares in headset companies or something?!

That headset is half the price again of a Lidl/Aldi one, excluding the adaptor. That'd be on top of the single-DIN adaptor I'd have to buy anyway. All for a car we won't have in 2 years.

And to be fair, you're not qualified to call the Aldi/Lidl headsets tat, you haven't had one in ~4 years. Like I said earlier, anytime I've seen anyone posting about them, they were happy with them. And no-one has complained about the more modern ones yet. Is it that difficult to believe that a) they might have improved in quality, and b) they might be just fine for some people?

The adapter comes with the appropriate adapter leads so no need to buy that

Now see that bit highlighted, needs a bit of correction... Most recent one I had was up until about 2 months ago, it came in with a car we got, another Medion. And it was still crap, sticky buttons and the plastic facia had fallen off. If I find it in the garage I'll take a picture of it beside todays newspaper if one wishes I gave it to someone who is indeed very happy with it

So I think I have a valid opinion on what those radios are like

The Silvercrest was used minimally in the van, most usage was with the cd player. No radio outside Dublin. So it was not fine atall.

If the radio is going to be used as a clock and handsfree kit for a car not going to be kept in the long term, by all means go out and buy those radios, a good selling point for many is a new radio. Just don't expect them to work as radios when needed

dr.fuzzenstein

Why would anyone need a remote for a car stereo?

dahamsta

Or that the radio would be used.

paddy147

I bought the Lidl/Silvercrest radio new for a mere 30 euro.

Brilliant bit of kit and bluetooth is fantastic indeed.

Has an SD/usb slot too.Oh and a remote controll aswell

Could still get 98fm and FM104 well outside Dublin aswell with this radio.

For 30 euro its a winner.

paddy147

3 year warranty too.:)

flazio

Had a Tevion kit in my car for about €70 about 4 years ago, never had a minutes bother with it, stereo bluetooth works great with all my phones in that period (great for using the TuneIn app) the SD slot and tht front facing AUX slot for my ipod nano. Really fail to see what I would get for the extra €20-€30 for a brand.