Upgrading to E46 - Audio question...

[Ray325i]

Hi All,

Just got back from test driving (and signing for...) my "Brand new pre-owned" '99 328i. The car is in a mint condition, and feels very tight - no shakes or rattles. Had it up to +- 210km/h (130mph) and it feels planted to the road.

This car is purrrrfect, apart from not having a CD Changer , bringing me to my questions:

What kind of connection does the "Business" radio/tape head unit use? I'm pretty sure the wiring for the OEM changer is already in the trunk, as it has a little twin tray storage compartment where the cd changer should be...

Which brands / models of changer will "plug and play" with the head unit (if any) ?

What is "DSP", and is the radio/tape in my car a DSP unit?

Thanks,

Ray

'87 325i 2dr
'99 328i 4dr (Counting Down.......)

 

[Xyrium]

Ahh, the crappy "Business CD" issue. These might help:

http://www.bmw325i.net/inst_mp3cd.shtml

http://www.projectbimmer.com/Installation.htm#top

http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/DSPStereoarchive/DSPstereo.htm

Congrats on your new ride, and good luck!

-Paul

 

[Ray325i]

Thanks for the links Paul, from that it seems that there is no straight plug & play solution. The Alpine MP3 changer seems to be a good solution, just don't know if I'll be able to get the soundgate adapter in South Africa.

The Alpine is also about R 1000,00 ( +- $150,00) cheaper than the BMW unit (R 3583 / $ 550) from the dealer (complete with mounting kit), so even if the soundgate adapter is available over here, the Alpine would probably work out more expensive than OEM.

I'm not really fussed about having MP3 capability, although it would be nice to have......... Any opinions on the stock CD Changer ?

Still looking for a aftermarket unit that would just plug into the existing system. Can't believe the previous owner bought the car with only the basic radio / cassette player!!! I've gotten rid of most of my tapes last time I moved house !!

Cheers,

Ray

 

[Xyrium]

Hello Ray:

I'm sure the stock changer will work fine (it's made by Alpine) if you're just looking to add multi-CD capability to the car. Otherwise, maybe replacing the head unit with a CD capable BMW model would be acceptable.

Enjoy your new ride!

-Paul

 

[xmas63]

OEM is the only true plug-n-play changer. If you don't care too much about MP3 compatibility, OEM would probably be a good choice---no concerns about incompatibility or performance, and one less thing to fail (e.g. Soundgate adapter). I went OEM and have had no problems at all. Good luck!

 

[bmwrocks]

Unless you can get the Blitzsafe or Soundgate adapter in S. Africa, then you will have to go OEM. The OEM changer is plug-n-play for you if you have the pre-wiring. Check for a 6-pin connector(audio) and a 3-pin (power) in your trunk in the left side behind the liner. If you have those then you are pre-wired. If you do not have the rack back in there you will also have to install the mounting rack kit.

If you have the 6-pin and the 3-pin then I would recommend the Alpine CHA-S634 as long as you can get the interface adapter. I mean how can you beat 150 songs per CD in MP3 format? You can pretty much burn your whole CD collection onto 6 discs and hardly ever or never change the CDs!!!