100 Series interior help.

That should have read:

Insert a flat edge screwdriver covered with a cloth into the gap and ease it out, take your time and it will come out easily and without any damage. Two clips top and each side if I remember... but its no problem at all, just take your time and don't force it. Start with one side.

I'm tired, time to go home

I can't see how JB HiFi could void a Sony/Pioneer/Kenwood etc warranty because they didn't install it. There are laws against that I'm sure. Perhaps what he really meant is that if you blow it up during install then that is not covered by warranty.

I used to work as a tech for a car audio company and we would do warranty work regardless who installed it (shop or owner) or sold it originally. Thing is though is it is blatantly obvious if it has failed due to poor installation techniques. Usually you could tell before you even opened it by the smell ;-)

I remember getting Pioneer units from a particular AutoBarn in a lower socio-economic area that would send multiple units to us every week. 99% of them would hve blown the transistor that controls the power antenna. Which is funny because the first time they shorted that wire to earth it would have blown the power antenna use but then they would replace the fuse. The 20amp fuse was usually still in the wiring harness when they brought it in LOL. It is meant to be a 0.5amp fuse.

So long as you read the instructions carefully and don't short any wires out (yes even speaker wires) and use the screws provided (not longer ones) then there is little that can go wrong. Remember to connect the earth wire first. As if you turn it on without it connected it can blow stuff up as it tries to earth through something else like the radio antenna.

what happens is they dont replace it on the spot . they need to sent it away for inspection to make sure you didnt blow it up . Mean time , no radio for u

Unless it was DOA then it gets sent away anyway. Unless the store you bought it from had their own techs like we did but that was rare. We got units for repair from lots of retailers.

However as you say even if it was DOA and you installed it yourself they would send it away anyway as they can't take the customers word that it was DOA. The chances of getting a dud from a major retailer would be slim. I remember only one DOA the whole time I worked there.

Check out this VDO FAQ

It reckons that all of their gear will suit either din or jin mount.

As you said all Pioneer/Sony/Alpine/Kenwood (and apparently VDO-Dayton) etc come with a surround to cover the gap when it is mounted by pushing in through the front (e.g. using the din rail). The surround is not needed when mounting in most Jap cars such as my Rodeo when you remove the dash front panel and bolt the radio in from behind and then refitting the dash.

There are some cars where you have to bolt in from behind and still use the surround cover. I think VN-VS Commodores were one of them.