AUX DIY
- Thread starter BlackSapphireZ
- Start date
I've done it, I've done it, I've done it!
Sorry, it's just that after weeks of trying, to a complete DIY amateur I'm feeling a large sense of achievement today!
Anyway for any amateurs that haven't attempted it so far my observations are as follows:
1) The vents are a pig to get out, best advice I found was to hold the two clips down with credit cards, then pull vents out (even then I needed to prise the vents out with a knife, carefully I might add)
2) If you have the piano trim, be careful not to scratch it when removing the stereo as I did
(luckily it was minor, looks like a 1/2 inch white hair on the bottom edge.)
3) I bought the kit from BMW (a good excuse for a drive to Hindhead!) £40, and it fitted into the back of the stereo v easily.
4) I haven't drilled a hole in the plate underneath yet, the aux to ipod wire can escape from the side with the plate secured back in for those who don't want to/can't drill the hole needed.
Thanks for all the help given on the many threads on the subject, I can say that the sound quality is excellent and well worth the effort
Sorry, it's just that after weeks of trying, to a complete DIY amateur I'm feeling a large sense of achievement today!
Anyway for any amateurs that haven't attempted it so far my observations are as follows:
1) The vents are a pig to get out, best advice I found was to hold the two clips down with credit cards, then pull vents out (even then I needed to prise the vents out with a knife, carefully I might add)
2) If you have the piano trim, be careful not to scratch it when removing the stereo as I did
(luckily it was minor, looks like a 1/2 inch white hair on the bottom edge.)3) I bought the kit from BMW (a good excuse for a drive to Hindhead!) £40, and it fitted into the back of the stereo v easily.
4) I haven't drilled a hole in the plate underneath yet, the aux to ipod wire can escape from the side with the plate secured back in for those who don't want to/can't drill the hole needed.
Thanks for all the help given on the many threads on the subject, I can say that the sound quality is excellent and well worth the effort
AJZ4London
Member
FINALLY DID IT!! As has been said you do really feel a sense of acheivement! Let me add my two cents.
1. Vents. These are EASY. Use an electrical screwdriver (flathead) to prise down the metal catch, one side at a time. Hold the catch down then prise out from the side. Keep that side open while you do the other.
2. I have satnav/cd changer and bluetooth. Take the pins out of the aux cable (slide plastic casing off to the side and using an electrical screwdriver press down on the silver crimp as you pull out). Make a note of where they go as you will need to replicate the position in the other socket.
3. Remove the black plastic socket (bottom left from your angle). Add AUX pins to the free slots that correspond to those on the aux cable. Make sure the top of the crim is sticking up so it snaps in place securely.
4. So now the socket has your aux and bluetooth etc plugged in, plug the socket back in. Press mode a couple of times and AUX should magically come up! If not, the pins are in the wrong place. I screwed this up at first and it is simply a process of elimination...
5. I have a 54 plate which seems to have been designed to have the aux in the ashtray. NO DRILLING REQUIRED. Feed the cable round the back, remove the ashtray and roof button panel. On mine there was a clear plastic bit that slides off the ashtray, feed the cable through this.
Bosh, your done!! PM me if any problems. If I can do it, anyone can.
1. Vents. These are EASY. Use an electrical screwdriver (flathead) to prise down the metal catch, one side at a time. Hold the catch down then prise out from the side. Keep that side open while you do the other.
2. I have satnav/cd changer and bluetooth. Take the pins out of the aux cable (slide plastic casing off to the side and using an electrical screwdriver press down on the silver crimp as you pull out). Make a note of where they go as you will need to replicate the position in the other socket.
3. Remove the black plastic socket (bottom left from your angle). Add AUX pins to the free slots that correspond to those on the aux cable. Make sure the top of the crim is sticking up so it snaps in place securely.
4. So now the socket has your aux and bluetooth etc plugged in, plug the socket back in. Press mode a couple of times and AUX should magically come up! If not, the pins are in the wrong place. I screwed this up at first and it is simply a process of elimination...
5. I have a 54 plate which seems to have been designed to have the aux in the ashtray. NO DRILLING REQUIRED. Feed the cable round the back, remove the ashtray and roof button panel. On mine there was a clear plastic bit that slides off the ashtray, feed the cable through this.
Bosh, your done!! PM me if any problems. If I can do it, anyone can.
I'm looking to do this - seems pretty straightforward. One question - how long is the aux cable? I like things to be neat and tidy and don't fancy cables or ipod holders all over the place. I'm thinking of running the wiring along under/past the handbrake and storing the ipod in the rear central compartment where is it out of sight. I can just set up a long playlist and fill my boots whenever I'm on a longer roadtrip. Might even extend a ciggie socket into there for power.
Anyone thought of this?
Anyone thought of this?
After thinking some more I've ordered a Parrott hands free car kit (and ISO adapter). Supports USB, headphone jack and iPhone (incl charging). Went for the 9100 as this would make a more subtle install.
I'll use a spare iPod in the glovebox for sounds, while the iphone on my belt will bluetooth in for phone as well.
I'll use a spare iPod in the glovebox for sounds, while the iphone on my belt will bluetooth in for phone as well.
After a lot of messing, and trial and error, I realised that you (me, anyway) don't need to put the wires from the AUX into the CD changer block. There is a free slot next to the CD changer one that the AUX fits straight into, easy.
Bit of a pig to do, but gad it's in now, so much easier than CD's.
Bit of a pig to do, but gad it's in now, so much easier than CD's.
Here's pics from my stab at this: http://gallery.me.com/carscadden1#100129
Thanks to those who provided insight before.
Total time: About 20 minutes
Parts:
BMW Z4 Aux Input Kit (Part 82-11-0-142-174, $85.00)
Griffin RoadTrip iPhone Mount ($99 at the Apple Store)
1' Stereo Audio Cable from Radio Shack (Part 42-2497, $5.50)
Apple iPhone 3Gs, 32GB ;-)
I originally purchased the RoadTrip and was using the tuner, but interference annoyed me, and setting the radio to the station - and dealing with static when my iPhone was disconnected was more annoying ... so I went the Aux/audio cable route which is supported on the RoadTrip.
Looks great, sounds great, always on ... just dock my iPhone and hit play.
Thanks to those who provided insight before.
Total time: About 20 minutes
Parts:
BMW Z4 Aux Input Kit (Part 82-11-0-142-174, $85.00)
Griffin RoadTrip iPhone Mount ($99 at the Apple Store)
1' Stereo Audio Cable from Radio Shack (Part 42-2497, $5.50)
Apple iPhone 3Gs, 32GB ;-)
I originally purchased the RoadTrip and was using the tuner, but interference annoyed me, and setting the radio to the station - and dealing with static when my iPhone was disconnected was more annoying ... so I went the Aux/audio cable route which is supported on the RoadTrip.
Looks great, sounds great, always on ... just dock my iPhone and hit play.
I used an e46 retrofit aux in cable set as well on my August build 2003 2.5i with business radio, hifi system with cd changer and installed the kit during z4um days.
I actually did not remove the vents nor radio from the dash. I just removed the black plastic cover in between the bottom of the radio and above the ash tray/cig lighter using a precision flat screw.
From there i can easily access the rear of the Head unit, by just feeling and comparing the posted back of the head unit pictures, you can simply plug the aux in cable.
After plugging will be drilling the black plastic part. As this part is molded with circles in the middle on the underside, it was easy to just drill a hole inside the circles. If i recall it was 3 or 4 mm. either way, when you get the kit, it should have instructions on how big the hole should be.
You have the option to put the small Aux In tab but i decided not to put it as well.
Hope this helps out some people who do not want to take out the vent and radio
I actually did not remove the vents nor radio from the dash. I just removed the black plastic cover in between the bottom of the radio and above the ash tray/cig lighter using a precision flat screw.
From there i can easily access the rear of the Head unit, by just feeling and comparing the posted back of the head unit pictures, you can simply plug the aux in cable.
After plugging will be drilling the black plastic part. As this part is molded with circles in the middle on the underside, it was easy to just drill a hole inside the circles. If i recall it was 3 or 4 mm. either way, when you get the kit, it should have instructions on how big the hole should be.
You have the option to put the small Aux In tab but i decided not to put it as well.
Hope this helps out some people who do not want to take out the vent and radio
Mr Whippy said:
I have the multichanger myself... sits alongside the AUX
I had assumed when I had to merge the pins that I was merging with the changer but others with the changer havent had to do so. The only other thing I can think of that it could be is the bluetooth...
gannet said:Mr Whippy said:
I have the multichanger myself... sits alongside the AUX
I had assumed when I had to merge the pins that I was merging with the changer but others with the changer havent had to do so. The only other thing I can think of that it could be is the bluetooth...
I didn't have to get involved in merging, just slotted in next to the changer.
Hmmm, I took that lower access panel off just to have a look etc, and this wire just came out sat on top of the panel.
Looks maybe like an adaptor to some hands free kit from a past owner!? I also had a small velcro pad on the aluminium dash panel when I got the car which I peeled off, so probably was some kinda kit.
Just making sure it's nothing important I guess, or seeing if others had one etc!?
Will definately be getting just an aux in I think (e46 one). I've seen those Belkin things for the iPhone which allow you to take calls etc, charge the phone, and use a radio transmitter to send the music... just a shame there wasn't something like that but that used aux rather than radio signal... but for now aux in should do the trick, and a small charger I can leave in my ash tray compartment
Cheers
Dave
Looks maybe like an adaptor to some hands free kit from a past owner!? I also had a small velcro pad on the aluminium dash panel when I got the car which I peeled off, so probably was some kinda kit.
Just making sure it's nothing important I guess, or seeing if others had one etc!?
Will definately be getting just an aux in I think (e46 one). I've seen those Belkin things for the iPhone which allow you to take calls etc, charge the phone, and use a radio transmitter to send the music... just a shame there wasn't something like that but that used aux rather than radio signal... but for now aux in should do the trick, and a small charger I can leave in my ash tray compartment
Cheers
Dave
Shipkiller
Lifer
In a past thread I somewhat documented my Ipod install.
I use this cable that attaches to the Aux input, power and the Ipod. Direct connection to the head unit and it powers the Ipod.
I had tried the ProClip cradle at this point on the dash but moved it since:
Now it sits here:
I may move it back to the dash. It is easier to operate the Ipod while driving, vice looking down and not on the road while changing songs...
I use this cable that attaches to the Aux input, power and the Ipod. Direct connection to the head unit and it powers the Ipod.
I had tried the ProClip cradle at this point on the dash but moved it since:
Now it sits here:
I may move it back to the dash. It is easier to operate the Ipod while driving, vice looking down and not on the road while changing songs...