AUX DIY

[BlackSapphireZ]

don't buy one for the z4..it's like $70! one for the E46 is only $32 with club discount at Tischer BMW

1)take the vent out (use another DIY)

2)unscrew two screws on the headunit and pull out.

3)insert the cable into back of the head unit. If there is a black plug already occupying the space, remove it and insert the AUX cable. I believe it is for a CD changer

4)POP open the ashtray, unscrew 1 screw and slowly pry apart the console w/buttons

5)take the aux cable and drop it behind the headunit and should drop down to where you can grab and pull from bottom

6)drill a hole on the ashtray on the slanted part(just my preference) big enough for the aux cable to go through, then POP out the empty flat part with a hole thingy and get rid of the plastic cone that is behind it.

7)put the aux cable through, put the face on, screw the face on and you are done

 

[parchis06]

i have an 03 z4 3.0 roadster.
it dosen't have a cd changer only cd player

can this be done on mine?

does the computer in the car need to be reinitialized?

is it just plug and play?

dose the auxiliar signal just apear in the MODE selection after you plug it in?

 

[ianreeves]

Yes it can, I did it to my 03 Z4 3 weeks ago.

The plug fits into the rear of the head unit, there is no reinitialization.

So yes it's plug and play

 

[bsmith_tsu]

I did this with my 03 Z4 2.5 using the part from http://www.bavauto.com (part number 82 11 0 142 174). The hardest part (for me) was getting it plugged in to the back of the head unit. This is because I could never get my air vent removed to then pull the head unit out. I popped the plastic cover from underneath the center of the dash, and went in through that way. I then had to figure out how to remove the wires from the back of the head unit without a visual. After that it took me forever to get it plugged back in. It is a plug and play- after you get it hooked up, press the MODE button until AUX appears. Here is my XM setup: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2327

 

[ovrkll]

Installed the Aux input in FnI's car yesterday, it is only a 30 minute job at the most, depending on how you want to go about it. I prefer to recommend the Aux input cable made for the MINI Cooper, half the price of the "BMW" version, and it can be mounted anywhere you like. Here is a pic of the final assembly:

The cord hanging down is the interconnect cable from my MP3 player, all that is actually visible of the Aux input cable, is the small round jack mounted on the panel.
I redid mine also, in the same spot, so that I do not have to have the ashtray open all the time and it is less conspicuous. The back of the radio can be accessed from that panel underneath the A/C controls or by removing the vents and unscrewing 2 screws that hold the radio in. I will provide pics of that if anyone wants.

Cheers!

 

[fire-n-ice]

Like Ship, I have some really great freinds. Completely disobeying instructions, Mr. and Mrs. Ovrkll bought me an aux input...probably because they're sick of hearing me bitch about radio stations!

For some reason, we were unable to get the metal tabs to release via the vents, so we just took the panel off and went in from that way. Ovrkll's hands were too big..hm, wonder if what they say about large hands is true??...anyway, because my hands are small, I was able to connect it from the underside which I can see would be a pain if you had larger hands. Ovrkll drilled the hole for me in the panel and finished it off, thank you sweetie

Mrs. O was awesome, she put up with our crap, hung with us all day in the garage and dealt with my obsession about cleaning interiors better then most women would - she's an awesome lady .

Can't wait to see if it works, gotta get the proper cables and stuff...

 

[ovrkll]

:friends: That's what friends are for :cheers:

 

[Wondermike]

ovrkll, that was an awesome thing to do, looks good in that panel too 8)

 

[grdz4roadster]

How easy is it to pull out the panel under the A/C controls and what is the best way to pry it off without scratching the panel and surrounding dash?

 

[ianreeves]

Just get your finger nails under it, comes off easily.

 

[HANDGRAPHICS]

Heres my 2 cents...thx to ovrkll for the MINI idea..... just for shits and giggles was at dealer and asked for a quote to install aux input in uderpanel instead of ashtray.... came back at $310 :rofl: searched through here and the went to local MINI dealer and for $42 with tax plus about 1/2 hr labor (15 min for the damn vents alone) and presto $268 to put towards my new shoes....

kit from MINI (cable, faceplate, screws, wire ties) part #82 11 0 153 367

back of underpanel

faceplate installed with 2 enclosed self tapping screws

plug it in to the back of radio

test prior to replacing head unit and vents

finished product

:happyclap:

 

[ovrkll]

Looks good! Glad to be of help

 

[Shipkiller]

I installed my Aux installation. Right now it is using the ashtray replacement, until it get a little warmer for the jack to be relocated.

One thing I have noticed is that the music from my IPod is better sounding than what was coming out of the radio or CD.

 

[gannet]

put mine in a similar location but without the faceplate. My install was slightly more complicated as I had to take the pins out of the plug and put them together with the existing plug for the bluetooth.

sounds great and much better than the fm transmitter i was using

 

[grdz4roadster]

I just received the Aux audio Input (Part no. 82 11 0 149 389 for the E46 3 Series) from dealerfit.com for $32.59 plus shipping. I'll be installing it this weekend...can't wait. What size drill bit did everyone use to drill the hole in the cover for the aux input? Also, did you drill from the outside of the cover in or from the inside of the cover out? I just want to make sure I do this install with minimal scratches, blemishes and/or mistakes...thanks.

 

[gannet]

Dont remember but I think I followed the instructions the dealer printed of (for a Z4 part...) which say an 8mm drill bit for the main hole and 3mm for the two face plate holes (if you use that bit - i didnt)

Good Luck

 

[grdz4roadster]

I just received the Aux audio Input (Part no. 82 11 0 149 389 for the E46 3 Series) from dealerfit.com for $32.59 plus shipping. I'll be installing it this weekend...can't wait. What size drill bit did everyone use to drill the hole in the cover for the aux input? Also, did you drill from the outside of the cover in or from the inside of the cover out? I just want to make sure I do this install with minimal scratches, blemishes and/or mistakes...thanks.

Installation Frustration...
It was very easy to remove the vent (5 minutes) and it also took less than 5 minutes to get the head unit out and the lower cover plate off. I unplugged the CD changer wire from the back and plugged in the Aux Input. I hooked up my iPod and pressed the Mode button on the head unit and discovered that it was not showing an AUX mode. I unplugged the Aux input from the head unit and compared it to the CD changer wire and noticed the AUX input had only 10 pin sockets as opposed to the 12 pin sockets on the CD changer. This must be the problem. Therefore, in my case, the E46 Aux input wire from dealerfit.com did not work for me and I will be returning that next week.

I've since ordered the Aux input for the MINI (Part no. 82 11 0 153 367) from bavauto.com. Hopefully this one will be the right part! Wish me luck.

By the way, how quickly does bavauto.com deliver? I chose the UPS ground option. Oh well, no hurry here anyways...I won't be driving the Z in this cold and snowy Chicago weather.

 

[ovrkll]

in my case, the E46 Aux input wire from dealerfit.com did not work for me and I will be returning that next week.

I thought I had heard of that problem before in a few instances. The MINI cable is a proven substitute for the Z4 Aux input cable, and I am sure that you will be enjoying your system again soon

 

[Shipkiller]

I just received the Aux audio Input (Part no. 82 11 0 149 389 for the E46 3 Series) from dealerfit.com for $32.59 plus shipping. I'll be installing it this weekend...can't wait. What size drill bit did everyone use to drill the hole in the cover for the aux input? Also, did you drill from the outside of the cover in or from the inside of the cover out? I just want to make sure I do this install with minimal scratches, blemishes and/or mistakes...thanks.

Installation Frustration...
It was very easy to remove the vent (5 minutes) and it also took less than 5 minutes to get the head unit out and the lower cover plate off. I unplugged the CD changer wire from the back and plugged in the Aux Input. I hooked up my iPod and pressed the Mode button on the head unit and discovered that it was not showing an AUX mode. I unplugged the Aux input from the head unit and compared it to the CD changer wire and noticed the AUX input had only 10 pin sockets as opposed to the 12 pin sockets on the CD changer. This must be the problem. Therefore, in my case, the E46 Aux input wire from dealerfit.com did not work for me and I will be returning that next week.

I've since ordered the Aux input for the MINI (Part no. 82 11 0 153 367) from bavauto.com. Hopefully this one will be the right part! Wish me luck.

By the way, how quickly does bavauto.com deliver? I chose the UPS ground option. Oh well, no hurry here anyways...I won't be driving the Z in this cold and snowy Chicago weather.

I had the same problem with the E46 unit. I just went ahead and bought the one for the Z4. It DID have a 12pin socket and works Great.....

 

[2 Zero]

I just received the Aux audio Input (Part no. 82 11 0 149 389 for the E46 3 Series) from dealerfit.com for $32.59 plus shipping. I'll be installing it this weekend...can't wait. What size drill bit did everyone use to drill the hole in the cover for the aux input? Also, did you drill from the outside of the cover in or from the inside of the cover out? I just want to make sure I do this install with minimal scratches, blemishes and/or mistakes...thanks.

Installation Frustration...
It was very easy to remove the vent (5 minutes) and it also took less than 5 minutes to get the head unit out and the lower cover plate off. I unplugged the CD changer wire from the back and plugged in the Aux Input. I hooked up my iPod and pressed the Mode button on the head unit and discovered that it was not showing an AUX mode. I unplugged the Aux input from the head unit and compared it to the CD changer wire and noticed the AUX input had only 10 pin sockets as opposed to the 12 pin sockets on the CD changer. This must be the problem. Therefore, in my case, the E46 Aux input wire from dealerfit.com did not work for me and I will be returning that next week.

I've since ordered the Aux input for the MINI (Part no. 82 11 0 153 367) from bavauto.com. Hopefully this one will be the right part! Wish me luck.

By the way, how quickly does bavauto.com deliver? I chose the UPS ground option. Oh well, no hurry here anyways...I won't be driving the Z in this cold and snowy Chicago weather.

If you take the plug apart and plug it in as close as posable to the center of the radio 3 series part works just fine.
Here is the link from the orginal install before BMW had an adapter for the Z4.

http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e85/3902352-1.html

My Pictures:

http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e85/3903056-1.html

I never did understand why more folks don't install the plug either where I did by the shifter or in the well under the E-Brake handle. That is where you are going to leave the iPod most of the time anyway why have the cord lay over the shifter??