Hi All,

Just purchased my S2K a week ago after wanting one for nearly 20 years. I absolutely love it.

With that being said, I'd like to get a few of the most highly recommended upgrades done on it, one of which is upgrading the OEM radio head unit.

I have looked on the forum and most people seem to recommend the Alpine UTE-73BT (it's just a newer and cheaper version of the UTE-62BT which is discontinued).

Been looking online and I have come across a Alpine UTE-200BT for a good price and i think it's like a newer model compared to the 73BT? it has a AUX cable up front with will come in handy which the 73BT doesn't have.

Does anyone know if this will work with the S and what cables and bits will i need to make it work with the dashboard controls? I'm not the greatest with tools and splicing so the easiest setup is what I would probably go for.

Thank you!

 

Hey, I just recently upgraded my OEM radio to a new Kenwood unit. If you're not running any subs or external amps, then most of the major brand headunits will do fine. Almost all newer headunits share similar features such as aux, USB, bluetooth, and 24-bit DAC, so choosing between brands will likely come down to compatibility, price, and amenities (eg illumination color). If you're looking for straight plug-and-play with no splicing at all, then you'll need to get a dash control interface module ($90) + a plug-and-play harness ($25) from Modifry: https://modifry.com/index.php?route=...ory&path=18_46. This is by far the easiest DIY method for installing aftermarket radios and what I used personally in my install.

While I have no personal experience with the Alpine unit, I can say I'm very pleased with my Kenwood KMM-BT728HD. It does everything I want, has matching orange/red illumination, works with Modifry's DCI, and fits behind the radio lid cover.

 

I have the UTE-73BT and am very satisfied with it. It was cheap and does exactly what I need it to do. The best thing about the Alpines for this car is you can utilize the KTP-445A powerpack in bridged mode @ 2x 90W for the door speakers, and run a really nice set of components. All of which being made possible with Modifry PnP harnesses that also integrate his DCI for the dash controls; mute button also works with this particular head unit.

 

Thanks mate, I think I was reading some of your feedback on another thread and its very helpful. I'm open to any HU brand but saw a post from the person at Modifry saying the reccomended the Alpine ones first as they were the easist and had the most compatible features. And I just happeend to find the 200bt for about £82 which is a decent price.

Thanks Kyle, I'm sure I read your comments on the same thread! haha. Yeah i was going to buy the 73BT like you mentioned but the price difference was simmilar to the 200BT. it comes with an AUX cable which is just a nice feature to have for me but doesnt make that big of a difference. it charges via the USB apparently so this is a big plus for me.

I think i'm just going to buy this and then get the bits I need from Modifry. theyre mentioned so much on this forum, they must be good! I dont have any steering wheel controls so do I still need the DCI thing? the $90 seems a little steep for the wires when my HU is costing me about £80 but maybe its required and its one of those things that justifies the price.

Thanks again for your guys feedback.

 

Did you delete your radio controls? If so you don't need the DCI, but the $25 Modifry PnP harness is nice! And yeah, I bought the 73BT before the 200 came out, I believe it's an upgrade of the 73, I'd opt for that one.

I'm in the middle of a mild sound system upgrade, and the stock door speakers are only 20W.....a decent set of components will really up the volume and clarity for top-down driving, which is all I'm after; I'm no audiophile.

 

I've not done anything to the sound system yet. By radio controls, do you mean the controls on the dashboard? They are still there, my car just doesn't have the extra buttons on the steering wheel that I have seen on other cars if that's what you meant?

I believe it is completely stock. I would love some more loudness and better sound overall. I'm not an audiophile but I do enjoy listening to music whilst driving. Let me know how you get on with your speaker upgrades as I would probably want to get them done too if it's simple enough.

 

Ah yes, I meant the dash. I believe since you're UK or EU you don't have cruise control, which was on the steering wheel. You'll want the DCI then. Yes it's spendy, but it's very straightforward and hassle-free. Plug it in and it works!

Check out my build thread: https://www.s2ki.com/forums/automotive-builds-284/kyles-gpw-red-long-term-s2k-shenanigans-1187476/page16/

Latest posts concern the upgrades, very simple and not fiddly at all. I should be finishing it up shortly, just waiting on a few minor bits to button it up.

 

In the industry, the term Steering Wheel Controls also refers to our dash mounted auxiliary controls. Its just because literally every other car on the planet besides ours puts the aux controls on the wheel, not on a pod beside the dash.

So if you want the dash aux controls to work, you want a HU that supports steering wheel controls and you want whatever accessory device needed to make that work (such as the Modifry).

 

Thanks. I've purchased the UTE-200BT and will buy the modifry cables. So will I need the DCI cable from modifry too for these dash controls?

 

First abd foremost youu need the Modifry DCI itself. Then whichever DCI harness best suits your needs. Hes got different versions for different configs.

Like if you're going to use an external amp, or just the HU, etc.