Hi all
I have a 2012 xf Portfolio with a B&W radio unit, and I would like to add the DAB radio function? can this be done as a upgrade or is it a add on part?

 

Welcome to the forum!

The factory DAB radio can be retrofitted however it is not plug & play, it will need some programming changes to enable it.



The wiring for the module may or may not be present, you would have to remove the left c-pillar trim to check if the antenna wiring is there...

I found on 2011MY the wiring was there, on 2014MY was missing, not sure about 2012MY.

Pre-wired in 2011MY



Not pre-wired in 2014MY



If you can pop off the trim panel and take a picture, I can tell if it's pre-wired or not...

 

Hi Many thanks for the speedy reply, I have inserted my left hand C pillar images






is this the correct wiring loom?

 

Thanks for the pic!

OK so that is the same as the 2014MY I worked on before, the antenna wiring is missing. Not a big deal since I can make up the antenna wiring, have done this for a few cars now.

The usual location of the DAB module in these later cars is under the left front seat, which is a bit of a pain as you need to remove the seat to get access, and running the cables to there under the carpets also sucks. It is easier to mount the module in the boot instead, left hand side where the audio amplifier is located.

The components you need would be;

DAB module
DAB module power cable (tapped into the power source of the audio amplifier)
3-way MOST fibre optic splitter
Custom antenna cable
Combined FM & DAB antenna amplfier (replaces the black FM amplifier in your pic)

But the real challenge is that it won't work without some software changes, the CCF must be updated to enable the DAB functions. I don't have any contacts in Ireland who can do this, only in England or Scotland...

 

Many thanks for this information, much apppericated, do you supply all of these components? and of so how much? and could you share your contact info for the UK and Scotland guys who could fit and set this up for me?

 

I've sent you a PM mate.

 

I've been considering this myself and have stumbled across the Dension DAB+U. The XF is not listed on the compatibility list but I've recieved a cfg file from a Norwegian firm which apparently works on the 2007 - 2011 models, so will have to wait and see. If that fails I'd be interested in the costs of the original parts needed for the retrofit

 

I installed the DAB+U in a few Discovery Sport's and a Mercedes Vito van, where factory retrofits aren't feasible, or even possible (in the Vito).
As it emulates a USB stick of mp3 tracks, the user interface is not the best, you can't store preset/favourite stations, and there's quite a long buffer time, sometimes up to 10 seconds between selecting a station, and hearing the music.

Also the installation is not exactly straight forward, if you want to use an active antenna (and believe me, you do) then it has to be a version with a separate power source, there is no phantom power on the antenna input to the DAB+U.

In the Discovery Sport's I used factory antenna amplifiers connected to the tailgate glass, which require phantom power, so I had to use an additional phantom power adaptor, and change the connectors on it, as well as make an antenna cable to suit. In the Vito I used an Alpine antenna (which has excellent reception), and again needed the phantom power adaptor, and to crimp new connectors onto the cables.

I believe you can buy the DAB+U with a suitable universal stick-on antenna as a kit, but one of our customers tried that in his F-Type, and the reception was terrible...

 

Thanks Cambo for the info. Need to find out first if ir works in the XF. The one I'm looking at has a passive antenna and I also have an external glass antenna which I could try 😎

 

What exactly does this do?

 

This
https://youtu.be/KN4SqKYR3AY

 

DAB or DAB+, Digital Audio Broadcasting. It's a similar thing to the Sirius Satellite Radio that you have in North America. You don't have DAB in North America though...

 

Hi,
as above I am very interested in getting my 3.0D Lux 2009 fitted up with this as not really keen on the aftermarket jobs with stuck on antennas
please could you give me some info as to who may be able to do this I am located in the south west uk
cheers.

 

DAB retro fit for 2009 XF. Is
this possible please?

 

Hi all. I'm sorry if I'm taking up an well covered subject but I have a 2009 XF that I believe has the wiring in place that Cambo mentions in a dialogue a couple of years ago & I'm wondering if I can get some advice as to where I can get the CCF reprogrammed in the South West / Bristol area?

 

Hi All,

I just come across this DAB retrofit thread - I just purchased a 2009 XFR here in UK, and it doesn't have DAB. I would like to have DAB+ retro fitted and enabled - just wondering if there was a company in UK (pref South East / London) that could do this for me?
I haven't been brave enough to remove the C-Pillar yet - but I'm hoping that as its the Premium Jag Sound 320w with 6 CD in dash (Not B&W unfortunately) - that I have the wiring needed.

Thanks in advanced

Yatin

 

Hei!
Can you give me the name and address from this Norwegian firm?
I have a XF Sportbrake 2015 and like to have DAB as well.
Thanks a lot.
Kind regard,s Sjaak

 

Hi Sjaak
Sadly I don't have it anymore as I've changed the original unit to android 😬

 

Thanks anyway

 

Dension units are available in most countries

​​​​​​https://www.dension.com/product/car-...ltimedia/dabu/