Interesting, mine does not look washed out in direct sunlight. In fact it is a little dim except in direct sunlight. Maybe there is an adjustment for brightness and your is set too bright? Mine just look a bit dark in normal light and I would actualy like to have it brighter.
So if you want to fit a smaller radio in there you have to buy another faceplate? How do you fit it?
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View my fuel log 2015 Micra SR automatic: 7.0 L/100 km ... 40.4 mpg (Imp) ... 14.3 km/L ... 33.6 mpg (US) ...