OK, I quickly got sick of the stock RC.

The Goodmans MP3 headunit is OK, but the tuner is really poor and it has no pre-outs+my car is not wired for rear speakers, and the sticking out silver colour is bloody cheap looking. And I want either rear speakers or/and an amp/sub or active sub.

So, what is the easiest route from the headunit to the boot and from under the bonnet to the boot for the wiring.

What did you need to remove for easier access, and was it a million screws, just clips that scare you like they will break before they give, or a combination of both, to remove the trim.

I know the principles of shortest ground for the amp, and putting a fuse close to the battery.

While I'm at it, and advice on amps, speakers and small subs (even combined active ones), and headunits?

I can't decide, do I go for a decent single din like a Nakamichi/Becker/McIntosh with CD playback and AUX in. Do I go for a decent double din with movie playback for passengers and MP3 from the DVD drive. Do I locate an MFD and include satnav (where does it store it's maps?). Does it do MP3?

or do I finish the carPC? Yes it is the most flexible, but I'm not sure about fitting the screen into the space between the buttons, and the heater/AC dials (mechanical dials, not the small Climate Control box). The screen I have it the MM400 style screen, not the generic Xenarc/Gain. It is a little squarer in shape, taller but narrower. Other choice being a motorised VGA screen with tuner

Also, anyone know what the headunit surround panel (the outer trim piece) costs from a dealer?

Whoa, you've got some decisions to make there! And you're chucking some serious names about (McIntosh)! Sounds like you've got money to burn lol. If it was me, I'd definitely go for a McIntosh H/U as they are supposed to have awesome sound quality, although I don't know if you can get them with a UK spec radio tuner. Rear speakers aren't really necessary in a serious install unless you want a bit of rear fill, or are wanting to have surround sound for movies. A set of components up front, a sub and a couple of amps to run it all on would be good.

As to fitting it all, i have no idea what the octavia is like for accessibility. Its worth checking around under the dash to see if you can locate any useful grommits to run the power cable through into the car. I'm alway wary about taking a drill to stuff! And as for running the cables through the car, if you take the seats out, its usually pretty easy to lift the carpet up and run under there. Its usually only headlinings and pillar covers that have those annoying designed to break as soon as you look at them clips lol.

I have afew decissions to make, certainly.

If I go Nakamichi it will be new (they seem to hit and miss to risk second hand)

f I go Becker it will be the discontinued Mexico Pro. Any McIntosh, I would certainly need to look second hand. because after posting I did a search (found info but prices before) for prices. Yep, you are right very pricey. Much as they look fantastic and supposedly sound even better, it would need to be second hand I reckon.

Yeah I hate drilling blind too. Almost certainly I would end up drilling from the interior and drill through the ECU or something.

I need to do some measuring, but it looks like I might be going for the PC and moulded screen afterall though. I think the casing looks to be almost a perfect fit with too much cutting.

Dont know if it helps at all

i have a gain/xenarx screen in the dash and just managed to squeeze it in

i didnt cut any of the screen bezal but i did need to cut a little from the dash were the cup holder sits on

and i got another cm or so by cutting the buttons above the radio down

there is quite a lip on the bottom of them that can go

cut carefully with a dremal then very fine wet & dry to finnish

doubt anybody would even notice if they didnt know they had been cut

Have you got any picture James? I'm a bit of a klutz when it comes to accurate cutting and power tools.

I don;t have the in dash cup holder, just the 3 heater dials and the AC switch below the double din slot.

not really got any decent pics of mine, but I didnt have to cut behind the dash at all for my install (but am about to cut as need another headunit!)

That does look really good.

I think the problem I'm going to face is, that the SP7 screen case is narrower, but taller, and the 3 dials and 2 buttons take up more space than the climatronic, so I'm going to have to move the button bar for the screen to the side (and extend the wires on the circuit board), and run it vertically. Bonus is, after cutting down the screen case, I might be able to squeeze in my slot load DVD rom drive.

I'm enquiring with a mate who works for a dealer about getting a replacemt outer bezel for me to work with moulding the case into.

the bezel should be really cheap, just ordered a whole lower dash piece from skoda for £9!!

I've got a price of £9.** +the Vodka for the radio/dial surround in black.

Might have a dabble