Stock or Aftermarket Stereo?

[srl1104]

My 325i came with a peice of junk Walmart Sony CD player in place of the stock Bussiness CD (I have no idea why anyone would do that, but anyway). For some reason I have to turn it way up to even hear the music very well and the sound quality is pretty poor. I am looking to upgrading the stereo either to a better aftermarket or to the original BMW cd player. Does anyone know which would be a better option to change to? I dont know how the original sounds but I know that the Sony is awful so what do you guys think would be a better choice?

 

[Detrich]

hi srl,

first off, did ur car come with the premium harmon kardon system (ie speaker system)?

i know i'm going to get flamed for saying this- because there are a lot of audio enthusiasts (cough: snobs)- on this site that hate the bmw premium harmon kardon system like it was their leprosy-inflicted mother-in-law.

my car came with the premium bmw head-unit + 6-cd changer + harmon kardon system. and, as both a musician and music enthusiast, -and- after almost 9 years of usage, i still say that i honestly like the audio quality it produces. it may not be the best bang for your buck and there are plenty of better things out there. but, it's not anywhere close to being as bad as the haters here are going to tell you it is.

the bmw hk system has many merits. first and foremost, it sounds really good (good quality). second, no one's going to break into your car to steal it (security). thirdly, it matches the aesthetics of the bmw dash perfectly (good looks).

now, for your situation- since you already lost the oem dash mount, u may want to consider an aftermarket head unit, since the aesthetics of your dash is pretty much altered already anyways. www.crutchfield.com is a decent reference site for car audio. www.bavauto.com also has some decent oem bmw audio components- such as 6-disc changer. (not sure if they sell head units.) if u have the hk system and want to put back an oem head-unit + the oem 6-disc, you won't be disappointed. if u don't have the hk speakers, then u will want to upgrade your speakers in addition to the head unit and 6-disc.

hope this helps.

 

[William330]

Maybe the original was stolen?

Your best bet may be to hit a junkyard to see if you can find
a factory unit in a wrecked vehicle.

The dealer will probably try and rob you for $600, but a junkyard
may have one for $50.

I prefer the factory because:

1) It looks better.

2) Thieves are unlikely to smash the window to steal it.

3) You car will hold it's value better.


Good luck.

 

[srl1104]

It may have been stolen, I am not sure. I found a used unit that is in very good shape on ebay, but they want $250 for it. I dont believe that mine has the HK system in it, I dont see it on any of the speakers or marked anywhere. I dont have any junk yards around here that have any BMWs so I think I may spring for the used one. I am just hoping that the guy that put the sony in did it with a kit and didnt cut a bunch of factory wiring. Also I was wondering if the stereo install was very hard? I have installed a couple stereos in some American vehicles with an install kit.

 

[Jaxguy87]

i have my stock stereo.... if you want i could sell it to you i will take a pic and put it on the forum for you to see... it came out of a 2003 325i... As for installation all you have to do is pop off the silver trim (in my case it was silver) and thats it... be careful tyhough use a flat head screw driver and pry off but very gently and slowly for the pins could snap... it took me 15 minutes to do the change...

 

[srl1104]

Does the stock stereo have very good sound or is that why you made the upgrade to aftermarket?

 

[Jaxguy87]

i made the upgrade to aftermarket head unit simply because i do not like stock... im regretting my decision now because the stock sounded better and i miss my steering wheel controls ...... note on that i will also upgrade one more time with all new speakers as well...

 

[Detrich]

<sigh> no one ever listens to me...

 

[Jaxguy87]

i did it before i was on the forum lol

 

[Big Daddy]

<sigh> no one ever listens to me...

Haha, interesting I did not read this thread when I first saw it because I too am a believer in leaving the stereo system stock. I agree with your post and besides I have a hard time hearing my stereo at highway speeds unless I have the hardtop on. But I will add that the Harmon Kardon in my roadster at city speeds is very nice.

 

[srl1104]

Will one out of the 2003 work on an 01 (actually 9/2000)? If it will how much are you asking for the head unit Jax?

 

[///M SPEED]

I learned years ago that placing an aftermarket - high end- audio system in a car is just asking for some one to break in and still your s#!t.....

I had a very nice "78" 280z with a high-end Pioneer head unit with upgraded speakers (speakers looked stock and fit in the stock grills). I had a friend help install the head. He had to go all out and make very very sturdy Aluminum mounting bracket. I told him all I wanted was for the unit to fit in the radio compartment snug but loosely. This way I could remove it easily and if the car was to get broken into they wouldn't rip out my center console and dash to retrieve the damn thing….

Well, he wouldn't listen and he did a great job of installing the unit, but about 6 months later my worst nightmare happened. Someone busted out my passenger window, completely ripped out the center console (I mean completely demolished it) and placed cut marks into the dash area where you can tell they were using a crow bar or something of the same ilk to pry the console and head-unit out….

I have never upgraded another stereo in a vehicle since and have never had any other vehicle broken into (knock on wood)….

With that said, I know most newer cars are harder to break into and offer much more in the way of deterrents for keeping people from breaking into cars, but a good rock/crowbar to the window and a quick prying of the dash, often times destroying your interior, will get your aftermarket unit out in record time. A $300-400 head-unit isn’t worth it….

I’m with Detrich, keep it stock. IMO, it isn’t worth it. Stock is good enough. That is why I have a high-end home sound system….

 

[Jaxguy87]

i dont know i think the wiring harness is different in the 9/2000 then in the 9/2002

 

[srl1104]

i dont know i think the wiring harness is different in the 9/2000 then in the 9/2002

It may be. Does anyone know if there is a difference between the 2001 and 2003 Business CD's wiring harness or mounting in the 325i?