Head unit¿¿¿¿¿

[junglestylz]

I am gonna be replacing the head unit in my 1991 318 IS. Just wondering what you guys would recomend. I don't want anything that has all the obnoxious blue or green gaudy displays. Something that will play back burned CD's well, and looks as close to the stock headset as possible. I am thinking about the Nakamichi 400, but would like to find something with a little less of the price. Either that, or a stock BMW E30 CD changer. Any suggestions, help, or advice will be very much appreciated.

 

[andreyiv]

Here, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3072700544&category=3293 . It's the exact same unit as the BMW business CD player but made for a Rover car. Blaupunktmakes both of them, so why pay more for the BMW logo if it is the same otherwise. I have that and maybe even from the same guy. Gotta go now, check back with you and give more feedback about the player a little later. Hope it helps.

 

[andreyiv]

I can't tell you much about the sound quality because I have nothing to compare it to. So I'll do it this way:

Likes:
1) Rarely skips. It only skipped one time on me and I would be really suprised if it continued playing with the shock it got. Lets just say that the hole was so big I not only couldn't avoid it, but I stopped after hitting it to inspect the right front tire for any damage.
2) When using the radio, you have the option to see the artist and the name of the current song, like XM radio or something but it does not work on all stations.
3) Reception is pretty good

Dislikes:
1) One thing I don't like is that there is no counter so you can't see where in the song you are, or lets say skip to the middle because you wouldn't know where the middle is.

If there was a counter and it could play mp3s, I wouldn't want anything more at all.

 

[junglestylz]

I am just wondering if it is a direct replacement for the E30. I would like not to do any wiring even though I will probably redo all the speaker wiring. Does it have a preamp¿

 

[andreyiv]

I'm not sure if it does or does not. I guess you can call the dealer, tell them you are interested in putting the Business CD player in your E30 and ask them about the preamp and if it's a direct fit. I think they would help you out since they think you will be getting it from them and they cost a pretty penny at the dealer. Just act like you are ready to come by the dealership any time to get it in and in the end tell them you'll call back when you have time. Dealers charge so much for everything so it's time they do something for all the money they get. Afterall that's what they are there for, right.

 

[mikev]

i just bought one of these :

it plays CD-R/CD-RW MP3/WMA, has 3 6v preouts. white lightup display (and around the tuning/volume control) sound quality is outstanding even on average speakers (no sub...yet...) and you can fit in all sorts of extras. also the face is all aluminium!! OH and the model number looks like PIMP. (DEH-P77MP)

 

[bichmgnt]

Does that model have like a 13 band equalizer? That's the best part of the Sony I have. Much easier to tune the sound for a flat output than with the standard bass and treble constrols.

Steve

 

[Rukus]

equalizers are overrated. you shouldn't need to adjust bass or treble on ANY stereo for optimum sound.
Ask the big stereo buffs at your nearest home stereo business. (home stereo EXCLUSIVE business)

 

[bichmgnt]

That may be true of a high end home speaker with a good home amplifier but the interior of a car is not like your house. The resonant frequency of each car interior is different but is usually in the 100-200 Hz range. This will make that frequency stand out and seem much more amplified compared to the other parts of the audio spectrum. The same is true of any room of course but proper speaker placement can minimize this. You don't have the same choice with your car. In order to get a flat response from the stereo you have to have an equalizer to tone down the resonant freqs and to amplify the ones that your interior naturally absorbs. A separate equalizer connected between the head unit and the amplifier is not a good idea becuse the extra connections and the unit itself will introduce distortion. But, for the most part, built in electronic equalizers (not one of those with analog slider controls but one with digital display) do a good job of providing flat response without adding distortion.

Steve

 

[junglestylz]

Mikev. How much did you end up paying for that deck¿ I would definately be interested in pitchin' a couple of buck for one of those, but I am finding that it is rather difficult to find the site for it that is based for the US.

 

[mikev]

Mikev. How much did you end up paying for that deck¿ I would definately be interested in pitchin' a couple of buck for one of those, but I am finding that it is rather difficult to find the site for it that is based for the US.

Yea i had a quick look for sites in the US but came up with nothing i paid £240 including P&P. But i have seen it advertised in a large car accessories companies website for £400!

 

[junglestylz]

Ithink I am just gonna suck it up and get the Nakamichi.I like the way it looks, and I will have some extra money coming back from taxes this year.