Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Radio question

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
Post Reply
Dave1963
Member
Member
Posts: 53
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2018 1:47 pm

Radio question

Post by Dave1963 » Thu Jun 10, 2021 4:26 pm

Hi all. I have an 3.0 2004, which has been fitted with an aftermarket radio, which I hate. I have the 6 CD autochanger, but dont know which radio head to find to match. Is it the business unit?
Many thanks in anticipation

User avatar
Mr Tidy
Legend
Legend
Posts: 23608
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
Location: North West Surrey

Radio question

Post by Mr Tidy » Thu Jun 10, 2021 8:39 pm

Hopefully the one redtailed78 is selling will be what you need. :thumbsup:
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

User avatar
dhobbs
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1621
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:33 pm

Radio question

Post by dhobbs » Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:24 am

What do you hate about the after market HU?
Looks, sound, functionality?

I prefer my after market radio as it sounds much better. Granted it doesn't look as integrated as the OEM.
3.0si roadster. Requisite stubby. Sound gen mod. LED numberplate lights. LED boot strip. Interior lights LED too. ZHP gearknob. Daily drive :driving:
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds :thumbsup:

User avatar
Sidewaze Samm
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1208
Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2018 1:11 pm
Location: Sth. Manchester/Cheshire border

Radio question

Post by Sidewaze Samm » Sat Jun 12, 2021 9:35 am

Dave1963 wrote: Thu Jun 10, 2021 4:26 pm Hi all. I have an 3.0 2004, which has been fitted with an aftermarket radio, which I hate. I have the 6 CD autochanger, but dont know which radio head to find to match. Is it the business unit?
Many thanks in anticipation
I'm not an expert on this, but I think that to get a definitive answer to your question then we need to know how many speakers you have. In other words, behind each seat do you have cubby holes in the bulkhead or do you have large speaker grilles?

Also, put your VIN into https://www.mdecoder.com/ or another VIN decoder and this should identify the original spec, including the stereo fitted.
2008 E85 3.0si
Space Grey, Dream Red New England heated Msports.
Xenons, MFSW, cruise, PDC, wind deflector.
ZHP, stubby, gloss black grilles, DLV box, gaptech, no CDV.

Dave1963
Member
Member
Posts: 53
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2018 1:47 pm

Radio question

Post by Dave1963 » Sun Jun 13, 2021 2:49 pm

dhobbs wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:24 am What do you hate about the after market HU?
Looks, sound, functionality?

I prefer my after market radio as it sounds much better. Granted it doesn't look as integrated as the OEM.
The look of it. Not classy. It's all chrome and flashing lights. I am not 17 anymore! :D

Dave1963
Member
Member
Posts: 53
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2018 1:47 pm

Radio question

Post by Dave1963 » Sun Jun 13, 2021 2:50 pm

Sidewaze Samm wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 9:35 am
Dave1963 wrote: Thu Jun 10, 2021 4:26 pm Hi all. I have an 3.0 2004, which has been fitted with an aftermarket radio, which I hate. I have the 6 CD autochanger, but dont know which radio head to find to match. Is it the business unit?
Many thanks in anticipation
I'm not an expert on this, but I think that to get a definitive answer to your question then we need to know how many speakers you have. In other words, behind each seat do you have cubby holes in the bulkhead or do you have large speaker grilles?

Also, put your VIN into https://www.mdecoder.com/ or another VIN decoder and this should identify the original spec, including the stereo fitted.
Thanks, that makes sense.

User avatar
dhobbs
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1621
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:33 pm

Radio question

Post by dhobbs » Sun Jun 13, 2021 8:16 pm

Dave1963 wrote: Sun Jun 13, 2021 2:49 pm
dhobbs wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:24 am What do you hate about the after market HU?
Looks, sound, functionality?

I prefer my after market radio as it sounds much better. Granted it doesn't look as integrated as the OEM.
The look of it. Not classy. It's all chrome and flashing lights. I am not 17 anymore! :D
I know what you mean, when I was looking some of the Sony HUs were all disco lights!
3.0si roadster. Requisite stubby. Sound gen mod. LED numberplate lights. LED boot strip. Interior lights LED too. ZHP gearknob. Daily drive :driving:
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds :thumbsup:

User avatar
DorsetWurzel
Member
Member
Posts: 61
Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2020 10:24 am
Location: Dorset

Radio question

Post by DorsetWurzel » Fri Jun 18, 2021 5:17 am

Switch off demo mode on the Sony headunits and they stop the disco light nonsense. The 4x100w unit has some genuine grunt!

I’ve got an Alpine CDE-178BT unit in my car connected to a 4 channel Focal amp driving the front speakers and MB Quart 16cm subs in factory locations. Sounds lovely

User avatar
Bunnyboileravoider
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 44
Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 10:21 am

Radio question

Post by Bunnyboileravoider » Sun Jun 20, 2021 8:40 am

Dave - if you discover the OEM Business stereo is what you're after, and if you haven't already solved the search, let me know. I've removed mine (so I can give you the definitive part no. before you take a decision), and subject to the new head unit and fascia (arriving Tuesday) doing the job I have for them, I'll let you have my unit for a price reflective of this forum's camaraderie :thumbsup: .
You only live twice. I'm on my 2nd.

Toys: (Audi Q7 2018, BMW Z4 2006, Ferrari 348 Spider 1994, Le Mans Noble 1971)

Post Reply