Aftermarket Radio Question?

T

TZ4

Member
Hi all....

I'm looking to change my standard radio to a Pioneer headunit which works of iphone / ipod players. Also can use USB connection or a AUX conection.

My question is.... Is there any issues changing the standard BMW radio to an aftermarket one?
I know a new Fascia plate is needed and a extra cable but is there anything else i should be worried about?
Does anyone know what colour code the 'Black' is on all black plastics as in heater vents etc etc as i reckon i need to spray the Fascia plate?

Cheers all for any help!
 
Changing the head unit is awkward if you have either of the 10 speaker upgrades, but easy if you don't. No idea about the black.
 
I know you've probably got reasons & it's probably a fab head unit, but you do kno you can add ipod & aux to the standard HU pretty easily..

If you have more than 6 speakers as standard you'll need all new speaker wiring, with the 6spk you can use existing head unit loom.
 
I have one of the ten speaker upgrades. I am not sure which one, but I had a shop do the install for me. I got a real nice headunit and with the programable EQs, it sounds better than with the stock HU. When I got the car back I wasnt happy with the subwoofer it sounded like my 10in i had in my trunk, it didnt sound like a 600watt sub should, well the sub wasnt turned on, and it was just the stock system bumping. I was really impressed with what it could do.

If you decide to go aftermarket, spend the extra 100-200 bucks and get a real nice unit. Kenwood's higher end stuff is very nice.
 
no after market unit will work properly with the blue telephone - you loose the steering wheel buttons

please, someone tell me this wrong
 
Well im after the New Pioneer MVH-8200BT Headunit which has lots of goodies with it.
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pioneer-mvh-8200bt.html

I just want something abit better than a boring look BMW Headunit thats all, i get bored easily :lol:

I makes good reading and will work well with the rest of the black panels inside the car.
Just not sure about the Fascia Panel and how i will get a same match as the rest of the pieces!
 
Must admit the quality of the sound on the BMW business head unit is very poor imo. Ive got an Alpine IDA X100 which ive had for a while, and it sounds ten times better. PLus bluetooth/iphone/USB etc, so a no brainer for me.

Have you got the dark grey vents? Or the later black versions? If you have the dark grey ones, there is a rubberised on ebay that is very good on fit and colour matching. I originally got one off the shelf, but fitment was rubbish and it was black so did not match at all.

Let me know and i will give you the link to the site on ebay :)
 
Hi Chris

Nah i got the black vents matey!!!
I got a 2005 Z4

Alpine are a wicked make but i thought the Pioneer Headunit looks pretty good to plus its black that will fit in with rest of interior :)
 
If you have the black vents its easier i hope, well least black will match in :)

Alpine units are good, trouble is everything is an add on. Like the bluetooth kit was another £100, then the sound processor was more. Very good quality sound though.
 
Have you got a pic of your stereo in your car mate just to see what it looks like?

Yeah i mite have to get a few extras with this one but not sure yet!

Where did you get your unit from matey?
 
Will take a fresh pic tomorrow and stick it up, as the one i have is the other facia, but looks sh** :D

Mine is an old unit now, i think they have the IDA X305 or similar to that. Got mine from an Alpine dealer local to me, and the bluetooth kit which they had on offer. The pioneers normally have bluetooth built in, plus a built in mic too! Very helpful when you have around 100 wires to hide :lol:
 
Here are some pics of my Alpine iDA X-305 as fitted to my Zed.

04032009015.jpg


12032009029.jpg


12032009024.jpg


Have also connected the MFSW using interconnects from http://www.incartec.co.uk/ I've not bluetooth so can't comment on that but it allows me to control the volume and change tracks on the iPod which is all I wanted.
 
That looks smart Richard but not to sure on that Facia Panel.... seems to stick out at the top, why would it be needing to stick out?
Altho the Facia looks same black as the vents black, did you spray it or is that how it came?

What company do people use to get there audio as ive been told Car Audio Centre is good. Whats everyone elses views?

What MFSW kit did you get richard for the car to work?
 
All of the fascias I have seen stick out like that. I can only think it's something to do with angle of the dash and getting the head unit at the correct angle to go into the space available.

I did not spray it, that the colour is as it came.

I got the MFSW kit form Incartec, a link to their website is in my previous post, I can't remember exactly what model it was but give them a ring they were very helpful.

As for fitting everything, I did it myself, so can't comment one way or another about the car audio centre.

What system do you currently have? If it's the basic, then it's a s simple as pull the old one out fit the necessary multi plug convertor and push everything back in.
 
RichardG said:
All of the fascias I have seen stick out like that. I can only think it's something to do with angle of the dash and getting the head unit at the correct angle to go into the space available.

I did not spray it, that the colour is as it came.

I got the MFSW kit form Incartec, a link to their website is in my previous post, I can't remember exactly what model it was but give them a ring they were very helpful.

As for fitting everything, I did it myself, so can't comment one way or another about the car audio centre.

What system do you currently have? If it's the basic, then it's a s simple as pull the old one out fit the necessary multi plug convertor and push everything back in.
Click to expand...

Do you have the standard (basic) speaker package ? if so how much of an improvement in sound quality did you get (not sure if the weak point is the speakers or the head unit in mine )...

What was holding me back on upgrading was losing the buttons on my M sport wheel.

Thanks
 
deagle said:
What was holding me back on upgrading was losing the buttons on my M sport wheel.
Click to expand...

i would love to upgrade but don't want to loose telephone buttons urghhhhhhhhhhhhh
 
deagle said:
RichardG said:
All of the fascias I have seen stick out like that. I can only think it's something to do with angle of the dash and getting the head unit at the correct angle to go into the space available.

I did not spray it, that the colour is as it came.

I got the MFSW kit form Incartec, a link to their website is in my previous post, I can't remember exactly what model it was but give them a ring they were very helpful.

As for fitting everything, I did it myself, so can't comment one way or another about the car audio centre.

What system do you currently have? If it's the basic, then it's a s simple as pull the old one out fit the necessary multi plug convertor and push everything back in.
Click to expand...

Do you have the standard (basic) speaker package ? if so how much of an improvement in sound quality did you get (not sure if the weak point is the speakers or the head unit in mine )...

What was holding me back on upgrading was losing the buttons on my M sport wheel.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I know this was not aimed at me, but i would say the sound is far better. Not sure how you tell what speaker setup it is, but there are two tweeters on the doors, two mid range in the doors, two speakers in the footwell and two behind me, well maybe more. So 8 so far, but i take it this is the basic setup. More bass would be nice, but it actually sounds good with an aftermarket unit. :)

And my first stereo facia was flush, but left the bottom part of the facia expossed, and i think thats why they sit proud.
 
Thanks for the reply... i think the basic has 6 speakers.. so you have better. :D


If you have cubby boxes behind the seats you have basic
 
What should be in there boxes then? I thought they were sub boxes, well sort of :lol:

Are there no speakers in the back then? As im sure there is. Got me wondering now :D
 
I have a fully upgraded audio system, all based on the BMW Head Unit with Nav / Bluetooth.

Sounds fab and it's all fully integrated 8)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom