Upgrading the Stereo in a 1998 550 !!!! | FerrariChat

Upgrading the Stereo in a 1998 550 !!!!

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by Rafael599, Sep 13, 2014.

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  1. Rafael599

    Rafael599 Rookie

    Jul 24, 2014
    15
    Central Florida
    What options would one look at to upgrade [will keep original cassete player with car] the Stereo in a '98 550? Can one get a Stereo with Nav, IPOD, etc, that will fit in the space and also allow full use of the gear shift knob !!!!! Thanking you in advance for all replies.
     
  2. dsd

    dsd F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 19, 2006
    4,271
    Northern Virginia
    The best option is the Pioneer AVH-X7500BT. You need a 1DIN unit that flips-up at a decent angle. Kenwood will not work as the project very far forward and then retract-- ask me how I know :)

    Look for my 575 Mod thread (http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575-sponsored-bradan/456643-mods-my-575-a.html) and you can see the install of my earlier Alpine IVA-D105 and now the new Pioneer (1 year old). It is not CarPlay capable, but does have AppRadio, which sucks unless you really want to go a bit crazy (like I did). However, it is still the most capable 1DIN Flip-up.

    Best,
    dsd
     
  3. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,174
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    Yesterday you were wondering about the differences between a 98 and 99 550 and today you are upgrading the stereo?
     
  4. Rafael599

    Rafael599 Rookie

    Jul 24, 2014
    15
    Central Florida
    Well, the photos of the seats came today. The seats are in perfect condition, I love the color combination,carfax is OK, so I am travelling this week to see the car in person. Once in a blue moon, you start to get the feeling that something is meant to be. I am getting the feeling about this car.
     
  5. dsd

    dsd F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 19, 2006
    4,271
    Northern Virginia
    Cool. Best of luck, they are very nice when you get a good one.

    The stereo will cost more to install than purchase, its a bit of a pain. Lots of speaker options available too. Find a good shop and they do right by the car.

    -dsd
     
  6. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,174
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    Rafael- Good luck. Will have to change your user name if you get her. The mods can do that for you.
     
  7. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
    BANNED

    Feb 25, 2014
    1,301
    #7 BJJ, Sep 15, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    This one (Becker Mexico 7948) looks very classic and sophisticated in my 550 (I believe) and has everything, including navigation, blue tooth phone etc. Unfortunately not longer available in the trade and even used ones have become extremely expensive (just saw a used one on ebay for 3.000,-- Euro, oha!!!). I had actually bought one years ago for fitting in a classic car, but it looks best in the Maranello.
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  8. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    I love these radios. I checked in to them a few years ago, but if I'm not mistaken they will not work in the US for technical reasons (frequencies, etc?)

    Can you post a picture of it in your 550?

    Thanks.

    Jack
     
  9. PRS Guitarist

    PRS Guitarist Formula Junior

    Oct 13, 2013
    312
    Maryland
    Full Name:
    Bob
    #9 PRS Guitarist, Sep 16, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I had a pioneer 5600 HD installed in my 2000 550, It fits perfectly with no need for any special hardware. It has a USB port for Ipod/phone and the quality it much better than the Becker. The CD'd do not skip like Becker system as well. I have GPS on my phone and do not need any additional bells and whistles.
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  10. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
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    Feb 25, 2014
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    Jack, I will be happy to do so after next weekend.

    I do not know whether there are compatibility issues in the US. At least radio frequencies and GPS should be compatible. Mobile should depend on the model, since it is connected to the radio via bluetooth (or are there differences in bluetooth in the US?). The navigation is on SD card, not CD, and compatible versions for the US should be available, I would believe.

    This radio really is an extremely fine piece of engineering and workmanship in every detail, not comparable to other car radio equipement. The original Ferrari radio (Becker as well) looks cheap side at side. The Mexico was, accordingly, quiete expensive in the time sold and not many people acknowledged the value. After production ended, this funnily turned quickly. I just looked in Amazon also, presently 2 new ones are offered for over 6,000.-- Euro! The regular sales price in former times (around 2005) was about 1,200.-- as I recall. I should have bought ten of them ... ;o)))
     
  11. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    I think the aftermarket prices are a testimony to how great these radios are. If I knew for sure that it would work in the US I would buy one.....but not for 6,000 Euro!

    I'm looking forward to seeing your installation.

    Jack
     
  12. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
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    Feb 25, 2014
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    #12 BJJ, Sep 22, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  13. Camlet1

    Camlet1 Formula 3

    May 3, 2014
    2,085
    UK

    Cool.
     
  14. MASR04

    MASR04 Formula 3

    Feb 20, 2013
    1,515
    Eastern NC
    Full Name:
    Sean
    I never listen to radio when driving an F-Car..
     
  15. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
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    Feb 25, 2014
    1,301
    Becker is remanufacturing a limited edition of the Mexico Mexico Retro (see post #12) and the price is a little bit under 2,000.-- Euro (in Germany). Of course the navigation software is updated.

    I will buy one, perhaps it fits into the 599, if not, I will sell it in 8 years for triple price ;)

    Bad news for the folks offering "old" ones (made in 2005) for 4,000,-- Euro + ....
     
  16. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Bernhard,

    Sorry for the late reply. Somehow I lost track of this thread.

    That radio is gorgeous as well as technically brilliant. Looks perfect in your 550. It makes most of the other aftermarket stuff look like something from WalMart.

    Well done!

    Jack.
     
  17. wbklink

    wbklink F1 Rookie

    Sep 2, 2009
    3,420
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Bill Karp
    I was at PENSKE-WYNN and it was in a display cabinet.

    It was pretty cool and was meant to replace the oem radios in several models.

    It has a screen that pops up and uses Garmin for the nav.

    I ask if it would work in my 550 and they said it probably would,
    it also has a backup camera that fits in the license plate light.

    Don't remember the cost but it was not that much.

    Anyway good luck in your search.

    If you would like more information call Rich (702) 770-2020) he is the service manager.

    Cheers,

    Bill
     
  18. ar4me

    ar4me F1 Rookie
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    Apr 4, 2010
    3,114
    Southern California
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    Jes

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