I still say if you must have nav, get another car. You may not be content with an aftermarket unit due to all the things it cannot do that the OEM system can do. Features like voice commands, blue tooth hands-fee telephoning, backup camera, and integrated climate/audio controls are not available on aftermarket units. In fact, these are the features that make an OEM install on your current car impossible. And I don’t know about you, but I hate that “suction cup stick on” look as it spoils the appearance of the dash. You would spend more money on an aftermarket unit, but at the end of the day you may still not be happy.

 

Somehow I don't think Lexus subscribes to the a la carte car buidling theory here in the US either.

This is just my personal option but if you really wanted the nav, a sun shield, a sunroof, and some other stuff shouldn't have been standing in your way. It's not like they forced racing stripe, hood louvers, and curb feelers on you to get the nav.

OTOH, if price is a factor, meaning you would like the nav but don't really want to pay for all those other things included (i.e. trying to keep the cost down), that's another story....for another thread.

 

That was the problem, I didn't want the other stuff that the nav package offered. I think my mistake was that I should have baught the car in the US, and then brought it back over. This way I could have gotten the car with the exact features I wanted.

 

After living with my car for four months I've found the NAV to be one of the most enjoyable (and functional) features on the car. I took a road trip last weekend to Dallas (of which I am not familiar with) and it directed me to specific restaurants, the hotel, and got me out of town on Monday without me having to look at maps. The directions were spot on. I'm very impressed so far with the NAV accuracy. I haven't had any problems with it throwing me off course or showing the wrong location.

And the fact that you can easily view the audio presets (bass, mid, treble, balance) on the screen makes it much easier to use. And with the XM option you can preset 15 satellite stations. One of the cool features is you can press 'Text' and the current track's name and artist is displayed on the screen. Listening to the 70's station on Channel 7 always had songs I hadn't heard in years and my wife and I would try to guess either the song's name or artist. Many times we couldn't remember one or the other, but a touch of the button revealed all. XM and the NAV system is a great combination and I'd strongly recommend anyone who gets the NAV system also get the XM option. Very worthwhile.

And the backup camera is a nice option to have, especially in parking lots and garages.

Frankly, anyone who is considering an IS should really think about the NAV option. There is a lot more to it than just the Navigation feature, and unless you just can't afford it I'd recommend the NAV system without any qualms.

 

that is exaclty why i wanted the navi.. mostly for the other options that you get with navi... and most of all, all those options like backup camera, bluetooth, etc is going to be stock and not aftermarket...

 

thanks in advance....I did a quick search but didn't see anything obvius...but I could've missed it.

 

You did, it has been discussed a number of times. Bottom line is that it isn't a simple swap. The cost in both parts and labor to replace not just the unit, but all of the wiring harnesses and other parts that are different would be prohibitive. Cheaper to trade the car for one already equipped.

 

great thanks....sorry for the dupe request

funny....it was a VERY SIMPLE swap on a 2001 Mercedes C320....

 

My cousin and I bought a Nav/ML unit with Wire harness for a 350 for his IS 250.

I have a friend who is a lexus tech. He tore down the interior in 1.5 hours. That was lightning fast. Unfortunately it appears, that if you have a 250, you need the dash harness for a 250 with nav.... etc.

So we have a 350 with Nav harness and a Navi unit. One day we will find a wireset from a 250 with Nav and install it.

I have found though, that that is cost prohibative. The wiresets from junk yards are $500+! Yikes, plus we still need an antenna and BT Steering wheel, and probably the camera.

I have tried to sell my ML unit to fund buying the needed parts as we could find them.... but most of the buyers were too afraid to buy the ML unit.

 

Price the ML DVD Changer alone and the j52 wire that's needed competitvely and someone will buy it (maybe me) lol

 

If you dont think its worth it... thats cool. but

1)price aftermarket DVD solutions. It will cost you just as much, and wont be as clean of an install. Though you do get more functionality. The NAvTV route that istundra went cost $800+.

2) ask the dealer how much the DVD Changer is. Then ask about the J52. the J52 isnt sold seperately. Its a part of the Interior wire harness. I had to cut it out.

back on target, I dont think anyone other than my cousin and I will try to install the Nav unit. I hope that someone eelse does... but its hard for people to invest so much on just a hope that it will work.

 

true...

I think certainty is the question.

Yes with Nav TV, it is more versatile. You can have multiple inputs into the OEM Nav screen.

Nobody really knows if the ML Changer will function properly with the Nav Screen.

I doubt ONLY the J52 will be sufficient for a ML to non-ML Changer swap.

Think about the touch screen capabilities.. Will the Touch Screen function properly with the DVD Changer? That, I do not know, but i am certain that the 3 lower ports of the Changer are not found on the non-ML Units.

What are those wires used for? I do not know as well.

I am sure that if I can get the complete unit, ie: screen, nav drive, changer, and harness, I can get it to work. 100% functionality? Not sure.

Think of this... the 2nd Gen GS. People have swapped OEM Nav Units into non-OEM Nav equipped GS. Search for BananaGS on this site. He has a DIY for the 2nd Gen GS.

Regarding my setup, about $800.00 is right for the Nav TV and DVD Changer.

But back to the topic, adding OEM Nav to a non-Nav Car on a 2IS? This has not been done yet but I am sure through time, someone will be able to cross ref the wiring diagrams between the two cars and have it wired properly.

 

well, i have a nav but non-ML, what's the easiest way to get dvd's running?

 

doing what istundra did...looking at the pics... it's a little too extensive for me... i would be scared to do it unless i had istundra next to me helping.

 

If you didnt care about having the nav work, but just wanted the "finished" look the factory screen provides, and since I cant seem to find any aftermarket kits to do a install, could you just get the unit, and would everything else besides the nav work? ex stereo climate etc???