Radio Installation

[SmartCabrio]

Anyone have a good recommendation on a San Francisco/San Jose area audio shop? I would prefer to go to a shop that has worked on Smarts before...

[geosynch]

I was thinking of posting the exact same question yesterday. I did a Google search on "high end car audio near 94040" and was very disappointed with what I found in return. All the search results resulted in poor reviews in Yelp.

I poster named herov had a very good experience at a LA area audio store. I've actually been thinking about driving down to that store, but am leaving the country soon and won't be back until late July.

I'll keep searching and let you know. If you find something let me know!

geosynch

[SmartCabrio]

I've actually already called down to the store that you are referring to. I was hoping to avoid the long trip down there, but would rather make the trip than have my car be the "test platform." As I expected, they already knew all about the post on this site... helped to draft it with the owner of the Smart. Still, seems like they know what they are doing. I'll post back here if that is what I wind up doing, but in the meantime, hopefully we'll get someone who has had there's done locally.

Originally Posted by geosynch

I was thinking of posting the exact same question yesterday. I did a Google search on "high end car audio near 94040" and was very disappointed with what I found in return. All the search results resulted in poor reviews in Yelp.

I poster named herov had a very good experience at a LA area audio store. I've actually been thinking about driving down to that store, but am leaving the country soon and won't be back until late July.

I'll keep searching and let you know. If you find something let me know!

geosynch

[jmcummings]

Smart Cabrio - how involved do you want to get on your stereo? I am going to let Jeff at Auto Image in Belmont work on mine for a simple head and speaker swap, to provide better sound blue tooth and iPod control.

I bought all the parts and his estimate was quite reasonable, will post back with what happens.

Also saw a huge install (amp, sub, gazillion speakers, the whole shebang) Starlord had done by some folks in San Ramon and his looked very nice indeed.

[geosynch]

I'd drive to San Ramon for a good installation. Do you have a reference?

I'm also hoping to get some contacts at the Lombard photo shoot. The shop that did the best car audio system will win my business.

geosynch

[SmartCabrio]

I'm looking to replace my head unit and perhaps upgrade my speakers. I will need to have a Sirius unit installed as well so that I can listen to satellite radio through the new head unit. It's probably a pretty simple job for an experienced shop... will definitely be interested in how your install goes jmcummings. Good luck!

Originally Posted by jmcummings

Smart Cabrio - how involved do you want to get on your stereo? I am going to let Jeff at Auto Image in Belmont work on mine for a simple head and speaker swap, to provide better sound blue tooth and iPod control.

I bought all the parts and his estimate was quite reasonable, will post back with what happens.

Also saw a huge install (amp, sub, gazillion speakers, the whole shebang) Starlord had done by some folks in San Ramon and his looked very nice indeed.

[rwjrn]

I bought the wiring harness and dash kit from 4smartcars.com and a Pioneer nav unit with back up camera from Crutchfield. I'm having it installed at BestBuy. I figured they won't guarantee the parts, but if there's ever a problem with wiring or the install they do guarantee the labor and they'll probably still be around in a year. I didn't think they would install other parts but the guy looked at everything and said no problem. I'll post pics and a review when it's done.

[rwjrn]

I posted a pic in my gallery of what the unit looks like installed. They did a nice job and added soundproofing to the doors. I still think I need some speakers behind me or an amp and subwoofer. The first Alpine speakers I attempted to have installed were too big for the doors and the window wouldn't roll down, so they exchanged them with smaller ones. The navigation is great, bluetooth works well and the back up camera is awesome. Working in an ER where I see kids who have been backed over by cars all the time it's just a little extra peace of mind for a few hundred dollars.

[jmcummings]

rwjrn -

Nice job!!

Which BestBuy did the work? Jeff at Auto Image in Belmont did A GREAT job on my install.

By the way, who did the chroming on your wheels? Looks Awesome!

[rwjrn]

The install was done by Koy and Collin at Best Buy in Brentwood. They had it all day, but only charged me the basic install fee and said it would be a learning experience. The wheels were done by the SF dealer.