anyone gone around the MOST system?

I was browsing and came accross this Clarion MAX983HD It's a very nice piece, does absolutey everything I would need, BT Phone, Ipod, Nav, custom POI for camera's etc and looks great to boot. The Pioneer AVIC stuff is awesome too. I have an '03 car with MOST bus....... :what: So, after some research it seems I could retain my speaker set up but I would need a replacement 5 channel amp, there are some that go down to 2 ohms for the stock speakers. anyone done this, or had it done?

Take a trawl through www.renntech.org as there is loads of info there from guys who have bypassed the MOST. Here's a starter: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=20442&view=findpost&p=105137 Basically, you have to rip out everything with the fibre optic connection. I've just bought the AVIC F900BT for mine. Another Christmas project, but it should be fairly straightforward in mine - No MOST thank goodness. Another good thing about the AVIC is that it comes with a year's free subscription to a speed camera database.

I had my CDR-23 taken out and an Alpine unit fitted. As you describe above, I have had to have a new amp fitted (well 2 actually) 1 for the main speakers and 1 for the subwoofer (I have the Bose system). If you use a car phone and an Ipod a lot, its defo worth it...cost me £1000 though :sad: I got mine fitted at a specialist in West London near Heathrow.

Richard, how's the AVIC install going? does all fit the dash ok? ie trim pieces etc?

It was a bl**dy nightmare getting all the cr*p out that so-called "professionals" had installed. It took me longer to get it all out, and the wiring back to standard than it did to put the new system in. Absolutely delighted with it so far. Looks and sounds great. If you are visiting Cookham in the near future, drop in and I'll give you a demo.

that does fit in a treat. I'm still contemplating. I want to do a reversable install just in case some anorak in the future finds the dire need to revert it back. I can see a way of hooking into the speakers just by scotchlocking in behind the output multi plug on the Bose amp so that part is simple enough. Although it seems I will have to add a 5 channel amp..... Did the avic fit in the double DIN slot easily? I see you have found a trim piece too although mine has the cup holder, did you make that? Reading the feature set on the Avic is impressive, if Porsche fitted that spec themselves they copuld charge a fortune for it, i wonder why they insist on all this bespoke stuff?

Hi, I have been contemplating this for 2 years now, mainly because of my dissertation taking over my life, any way Pioneer have solved the problem for me during that time!!! I am going for the hybrid AVIC 500BT. At least being mobile it resolves all the MOST bus stuff and I can transfer easily in the future. Nice bit of kit. Alan.

I had to cut the cross bar from the mounting frame (between radio and aircon panel) and trim the sides of the frame. If you want to make it reversible, you would be best to buy a PCM mounting frame (about £60) so you could swap the original back. The AVIC is true 2-DIN, but the PCM2 is about 10mm taller. The trim piece came from a guy in the US but was bl**dy expensive for what it is. It fills the gap perfectly, and is just a snug press fit. I changed all the speakers for 4ohm, took out the amp and fitted crossovers to the dash/door speakers. My thinking was that anyone with any sense wouldn't see it as a downgrade to have the Pioneer instead of a boggo stereo. The AVIC is everything that PCM should be, and more. It looks perfectly at home too.

Alan, I'm not sure how the hybrid system removes the MOST hassle? you still need to have a new amp? or is it just the in - dash hassle that's removed?

Hi, Basically it removes all the grief, it is in essence a mobile unit. This is what I have been told. I am sure Richard can clarify !!! When I have my life back come February when I finish my dissertation I will either buy it or go for the one Richard has installed as I will be keeping my car a bit longer due to a house move!!! Allthough the 'boss' has given me permission to upgrade to a 997 turbo if we don't move, hmmmmmm, house or car, a right dilemma!!!! Alan.