Hi guys, I've searched a couple of forums and this one seems most active.
I I'm coming from a BMW world where i learned a hell of a lot about my previous car, and am hoping to find a comfy source of info for the new car.
Bought an 09 5 sport nav, with recent clutch, belt and water pump replacement. in pretty good condition except a few fine scratches...
the main selling point is so i can get my mountain bike(s) inside the car and still have a sensible amount of passenger space...therefore i've ordered a full length interior cover, so i can have one full side of the car seats down. And i'm currently engineering a bike fork mount to fit to the rear most tie down points.

got a few questions to get started:

Diagnostics/programming:
for my BMW i had a software suite installed on my laptop, allowing diagnostics, repair guides, and reprogramming. Is there anything like this for the Mazda? or is a good quality OBD reader enough?

Stereo:
the stock nav head unit seems quite nice, and i have just found the aux in hiding my the cigarette lighter, but haven't tested it yet.
is there any way to get bluetooth music with head unit control?
is there anyway to get preout out of the stock head unit? i have a nice 4 channel amp and seperate sub/amp looking for a possible home, alongside a quality set of component speakers (5.25") and if the system in the Mazda would benefit from it,

Seats:
Schoolboy error, i didnt look under the seat cover on the driver seat, and the base has a huge rip in it.. the leather seems a quite thin....
i went on ebay and tried to find another seat.. and they seem rare/unavailable
were they the same in any other models?
can i fit any other models easily? the 6 seats look quite nice and i wouldnt be complaining for having heat

thanks for your time

 

There is not a lot of room for extra speakers in a 5 and keep seating and storage.

I recommend Forscan for your laptop.

Keep an eye out at you local pick n pull for seats. There is a speed 3 local to me that had nice looking seats but I had to pass. I think any front seat from a 5 or 3 that is a close year should fit, do you research first. 3 seats lack the inner arm rests.

 

thanks, i was toying with the idea of removing one of the middle or the rear seats and using the shallow space left behind
I will think on it once i've built the bike mount in
i managed to find a nice little bluetooth music adaptor from amazon (besign bk01)
Still looking for definitive seat info, seems mine the the sport nav luxury, and seats (advertised) in the UK are rare
I will look out for forscan