To replace head unit or not...

R

rubble

New member
Right Guys appreciate advice on this...

I have an 06 Coupe (non-nav) and want bluetooth and ipod integration. I've been quoted £230 for BMW Ipod integration but this will not charge the Ipod, so guess its just a line out. The dealer said a USB and Bluetooth prep was not possible on my car. So I've been looking at non OEM options and as far as I can tell I have three options:

Option 1) Fit a DICE system for Ipod integration and separate bluetooth system this would allow ipod control through the radio (although on the non nav radio the interface seems to me to be pretty poor) and cabin would be cluttered with extra bluetooth unit

Option 2) Fit Parrot Mki9200 or IO Play or similar. This allows both bluetooth and ipod functionality through a separate amp to the speakers but clutter the cabin with another unit. I was on the verge of going forward with this but then had a bit of a think about replacing the head unit...

Option 3) Replace head unit with Parrot Rki8400 or similar. This seems to be the simplest fix which leads to everything integrated in one easy to use unit and so my current thinking is to do this.

What are your thoughts and opinions on these solutions? Does anyone have photos of how a non-BMW replacement head unit looks in the console? Anyone have any particularly positive or negative experiences with any of the units I've mentioned? Or any other options I've missed?

Cheers
 
Welcome to the forum :thumbsup:

I use the AUX input and a belkin adaptor for iPod charging and small amp... simple but effective.

I have bluetooth built in - which can be retrofitted...
 
slight hi-jack.. but any threads on bluetooth retrofit? can't find a howto or something similar?

edit.. nevermind: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4819&p=68326&hilit=+bluetooth+retrofit#p68326 :roll:
 
Do you know what OEM system you have currently installed, if it is the carver \ HiFi unit it uses a digital amp located by the battery and from what I can gather from other threads no aftermarket headunit will work with the system, if you just have the standard installation a few members have installed aftermarket units, I have fitted an Alpine iDA-X305

Some pics in this thread http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9498&p=143664#p143664
 
Just in case anyone gives a damn...

I went with an Alpine CDE 113bt which gives full speed ipod control and bluetooth handsfree installed for £270ish by the legends at Checkpoint Aberdeen. That's only £30 more than what BMW quoted just to fit a lineout. Couldn't be happier with the unit...imho it doesn't look out of place on the dash. I don't have annoying cables throughout the interior and I don't have to have the ashtray open to charge anything. Alpine user interface is pretty good as well and quickly got the hang of the menus.

An added bonus is that the unit has made the rather pathetic standard 6 speaker setup sound really rather good. A definite improvement in the sound quality from all sources over the oem unit that was installed in my car.

So all in all ... I'm chuffed to bits!
 
i looked into an after market head unit, but i could not find 1 that was fully compatible with mulitfunction steering wheel, i gave up
 
rubble said:
Just in case anyone gives a damn...

I went with an Alpine CDE 113bt which gives full speed ipod control and bluetooth handsfree installed for £270ish by the legends at Checkpoint Aberdeen. That's only £30 more than what BMW quoted just to fit a lineout. Couldn't be happier with the unit...imho it doesn't look out of place on the dash. I don't have annoying cables throughout the interior and I don't have to have the ashtray open to charge anything. Alpine user interface is pretty good as well and quickly got the hang of the menus.

An added bonus is that the unit has made the rather pathetic standard 6 speaker setup sound really rather good. A definite improvement in the sound quality from all sources over the oem unit that was installed in my car.

So all in all ... I'm chuffed to bits!
Click to expand...

Sounds good and would be interested in this upgrade - has the unit an interface to work with the steering wheel controls?

AND any chance of some pics?
 
AlanJ said:
rubble said:
Just in case anyone gives a damn...

I went with an Alpine CDE 113bt which gives full speed ipod control and bluetooth handsfree installed for £270ish by the legends at Checkpoint Aberdeen. That's only £30 more than what BMW quoted just to fit a lineout. Couldn't be happier with the unit...imho it doesn't look out of place on the dash. I don't have annoying cables throughout the interior and I don't have to have the ashtray open to charge anything. Alpine user interface is pretty good as well and quickly got the hang of the menus.

An added bonus is that the unit has made the rather pathetic standard 6 speaker setup sound really rather good. A definite improvement in the sound quality from all sources over the oem unit that was installed in my car.

So all in all ... I'm chuffed to bits!
Click to expand...

Sounds good and would be interested in this upgrade - has the unit an interface to work with the steering wheel controls?

AND any chance of some pics?
Click to expand...

if it works with steering wheel i'l have 1 too
 
Some pics I think so we can see how it looks, sounds a great improvement. Just those steering wheel controls :)
 
Pics will follow in a couple of days.

As for steering wheel buttons: The alpine spec suggests that it is compatible with steering wheel controls (http://www.alpine-electronics.co.uk/products/details/cd-head-units/cde-113bti.html) but I'd have a chat with an installer as it may be that you need an extra cable or something.

My Z4 doesn't have any steering wheel buttons, so didn't have to ask the question...

:thumbsup:
 
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