4200 Sound / Info System

C

chris_h_3000

New Member
Messages
4
Hi,

I have just bought myself a beautiful 4200 Coupe (MY2004). I think I'm addicted to driving it already!

It might be a bit early to consider modifications, but I do miss the bluetooth and iPod connectivity from my old car.
I've seen a few discussions on this but I was wondering what the most elegant option is for getting these things to work in the 4200?

I've read about the Livelink system etc. but these solutions seem a bit 'bolt-on'. I'm happy to spend a bit of cash if there's a way of getting a proper built-in system that integrates with the existing screen, speakers etc.

My Mas doesn't have a CD changer but it does have a VDO Dayton PC5200 navigation system (just a box that sits under the passenger seat). This is integrated with the in-dash screen (via a switch in the centre console). This system is also supposed to support some sort of video and reverse camera but its been discontinued and there's no tech support for it.

I was wondering if there might be a more recent system with iPod connectivity and Bluetooth that would hook into the 4200's screen and speakers? ... or a neat way to swap out the Maserati system?

Any ideas much appreciated

Chris

PS. I don't need anything fancy for the iPod, just a standard 3.5mm Aux in would be great
 
Last edited:
philw696

philw696

Member
Messages
25,614
Welcome to our forum im not a techy person and are more than happy to listen to my motor but others on here will advise done nearly 13,000 on my 4200 in just over 12 months best driveing of all my years so far enjoy.
Phil.
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,652
Welcome Chris, again, not my area, but one of the other guys will be along in a mo and should be able to sort you out.
 
Emtee

Emtee

New Member
Messages
8,446
Hi Chris and welcome to the forum. Great to hear you're enjoying your 4200.

I've installed the loudlink, which as you mention is a pretty basic SD card / iPod 'bolt-on' module, and this is as far as I took my research. I suspect things will get tricky if you want to keep all the button / dial functionality beneath and to the sides of the screen .. numeric key-pad, audio, satnav, trip computer, but also heating and aircon display. I can't say with any certainty, but my understanding is that all these functions are driven through the NIT unit beneath the armrest, so your solution would either need to replace this but retain all it's functionality and integration, or work along side it switching automatically to the new unit at the press of the appropriate button. It has to be do-able, and I suspect a specialist automotive audio specialist is the best port of call, but doesn't sound cheap!...

Best of luck in getting what you want and I for one would be interested to hear how you get on....... keep us posted?......
 
C

chris_h_3000

New Member
Messages
4
Thanks - yep, the 'alongside' solution is what I'm after.
The car already has a VDO Dayton sat nav system installed that works in exactly that way. There's an added sitch in the centre console that flicks the screen between the Maserati's in-built system and the VDO.
I was wondering whether I could just get a more modern Alpine or Kenwood system to replace the VDO so that I can have Bluetooth, iPod connectivity etc.

Has anyone done anything like that?
 
mjheathcote

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,046
I haven't taken delivery of my 4200 CC yet, but interesting that the standard built in dash screen can be used with a third party unit, your VDO unit under your seat, I wonder how it does that?!
Cheers,
Mike
 
C

chris_h_3000

New Member
Messages
4
The VDO Dayton unit is indeed under the seat. It's just for navigation (no discs for the Maserati's system heree in Australia!) but it does display onto the Maserati's screen (once you flick the switch). Sound comes through just one of the speakers so not sure how easy it would be to integrate a proper sound set-up?

Both Alpine and Kenwood seem to produce boxes that are designed to work with existing integrated screens and sound systems but these also offer iPod connectivity, Bluetooth etc. as well as sat-nav.
I took a look at how the old VDO unit is hooked in and it looks like a tangled mess of wires to me! So don't know how easy it would be to do a straight swap-out for one of these newer systems.

Before I invest in one of these new boxes ($k!) I was hoping to see if anyone else had managed to install one?
(e.g. does the Maserati's screen work off a standard video input? Can you hook a parallel sound system into the speakers alongside the Maserati system?)
 
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,325
Hi Chris, must have missed your thread...Never to late to say welcome thought..SO welcome to the forum...nice Maserati by the way..
 
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