Retrofit Head Unit Confusion

[t4lly]

I'm in the process of buying a 14 plate Leon (MK3)
I last had one about 10 years ago, it was my favourite car and have since had a number of company cars. Through a change in career, I'm coming back to a Leon but I'm very confused about the head unit options.

I have been spoilt by Android Auto and need to get this into the head unit somehow.

My preference would be to get a big ol' touchscreen unit from AliExpress, etc where I can also retrofit a reverse/360 camera. However I'm seeing a lot of conflicting info about what works, and what doesn't.
I was hoping to just pop out the stock unit and replace.

Can someone help me with my options?

The head unit currently in the car is an '8 button' style unit, including nav - it has the box and cd player in the glove box. I'm not interested in the stock sat nav, but it is there.

I also couldn't see a USB for any wired Android Auto version to interact with.

 

[DaveS]

I'm in the process of buying a 14 plate Leon (MK3)
I last had one about 10 years ago, it was my favourite car and have since had a number of company cars. Through a change in career, I'm coming back to a Leon but I'm very confused about the head unit options.

I have been spoilt by Android Auto and need to get this into the head unit somehow.

My preference would be to get a big ol' touchscreen unit from AliExpress, etc where I can also retrofit a reverse/360 camera. However I'm seeing a lot of conflicting info about what works, and what doesn't.
I was hoping to just pop out the stock unit and replace.

Can someone help me with my options?

The head unit currently in the car is an '8 button' style unit, including nav - it has the box and cd player in the glove box. I'm not interested in the stock sat nav, but it is there.

I also couldn't see a USB for any wired Android Auto version to interact with.

The USB us likely in the glovebox and will need an adaptor cable. Easy to find on ebay if there is not one with the car.

 

[Walone]

I'm in the process of buying a 14 plate Leon (MK3)
I last had one about 10 years ago, it was my favourite car and have since had a number of company cars. Through a change in career, I'm coming back to a Leon but I'm very confused about the head unit options.

I have been spoilt by Android Auto and need to get this into the head unit somehow.

My preference would be to get a big ol' touchscreen unit from AliExpress, etc where I can also retrofit a reverse/360 camera. However I'm seeing a lot of conflicting info about what works, and what doesn't.
I was hoping to just pop out the stock unit and replace.

Android Auto/Apple Carplay was not available until around mid 2015 on MIB2 Infotainment units. A '14' plate will have MIB1 unless it's had a retrofit.

 

[t4lly]

Android Auto/Apple Carplay was not available until around mid 2015 on MIB2 Infotainment units. A '14' plate will have MIB1 unless it's had a retrofit.

Yeah, I want to retrofit a compatible unit in, but it seems a minefield of options out there. I was hoping someone would be able to advise of a third party one

 

[Walone]

Yeah, I want to retrofit a compatible unit in, but it seems a minefield of options out there. I was hoping someone would be able to advise of a third party one

I think with most 3rd party ones you would lose functionality with regards to TPMS and some other things, I think there is a Pioneer? unit that is fully functional but it's expensive, so would probably be better to fit a genuine MIB2 retrofit.

 

[Craig.]

Pretty much all 3rd party options are trash.

Either fit OEM or if you must go 3rd party, go main brand like Alpine.