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Need a new center console bezel for my C5. See Ebay at $39.00- and a lot more for Metra and Vette Nutz. What's the difference and are the expensive one worth it?
Check to see if the Metra and VetteNuts bezels you are looking at are made to install a double DIN stereo head unit.
It's a popular mod, so there are probably cast-off OEM bezels on eBay.
Last edited by Rich Silvestris; Jun 24, 2023 at 07:56 AM.
I bought a cheap one off of amazon. It looks like the metra one to me. I would have opted for the Vette Nutz one, but it was a bit expensive. The one I got from amazon is super smooth so I added some texture and painted it to get closer to a factory match. I don't have a picture of it before painting, but here's some shots after texture, after paint and installed:
I looked at the Metra but went with the VetteNuts double din center console.
The texture of the VetteNuts console is an excellent match to the factory texture on the rest of the interior pieces adjacent to the console. I suppose if you are going to texture it and then paint it like ChemGirl did then the texture match is not that big a deal (a very good job by ChemGirl, but still not an exact match).
The other difference when I checked out the Metra was that both the ashtray and cup holder doors were not included, and I do not believe the factory doors would fit the Metra. Not the end of the world but I preferred these spaces have doors.
For me, if you are going to have your car long term it is some times better to spend the extra money and get exactly the look you want. But, still great to save the money when/where you can.
As is often said…it is your car and you should do what you prefer.
It's a popular mod, so there are probably cast-off OEM bezels on eBay.
A ‘wanted’ post on the parts for sale forum may well yield a number of single din bezels if that’s what you’re in need of.
If you’re looking to go double din, then there are a couple of additional factors. The Vettenuts bezel requires removal of the original radio support shelf or tray, but leaves the HVAC controller in the same place. I seem to recall the Metro requiring a shift. While I can’t speak for the Metro brackets, my experience with the Vettenuts 3d printed brackets was poor. Both the first and second generation brackets broke very easily during attempts at snugging fasteners. Fabricating aluminum brackets worked for me. If you look at all the photos of installed Vettenuts bezels, pretty much every one will have the very thin bar that runs between the radio and HVAC will bowing out. This may read as though I’m displeased with the Vettenuts bezel, but actually I’m very happy with the design and results. The color and texture are close enough for me, and I wanted the ashtray door.
I wouldn't buy from RPI if they were the last company on earth. I would rather drive my car with no bezel than give them another dime of my money.
With that said, that bezel looks like a clone of the Metra bezel though. Better off getting the cheap one. It'll be the same thing.
@ChemGirl what did you use to add the texture to it? My Metra bezel broke under the active handling panel, so I'm looking to replace it eventually.... might as well texture the cheap one if I can!
I just installed my Sony CarPlay radio and used this bezel, it is OK, nothing special; it is a smooth gray-ish finish. I actually ordered a Vettenuts bezel that I will be swapping it out with...
That's the Metra, or an imitation of the Metra. And first look shows the ad is lying right off the bat with the "No custom work and/or cutting required". Yeah. Metra will let you have their instructions: http://www.metraonline.com/files/pro...-3021B_web.pdf
texture paint. Needed a few coats with light sanding between coats to knock down the high peaks.
Originally Posted by Stingroo
I wouldn't buy from RPI if they were the last company on earth. I would rather drive my car with no bezel than give them another dime of my money.
With that said, that bezel looks like a clone of the Metra bezel though. Better off getting the cheap one. It'll be the same thing.
@ChemGirl what did you use to add the texture to it? My Metra bezel broke under the active handling panel, so I'm looking to replace it eventually.... might as well texture the cheap one if I can!
I just put in the cheap one from Ebay. Like others said, it's smooth. I like to call it unpainted black. You are free to texture paint or whatever you like. It's cheap enough. Or install it just like it is like I did. You do need to be a little bit of a problem solver when installing it. I followed instructions to a Tee, but some of the bolts still didn't line up, stuff was still a little bit crooked. If I wanted to spend a few more hours on it, it could be perfect, but I'm happy with saving over $160 on the Metra kit, or $360 on vettenuts.
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