Aftermarket radio options for E46 M3?

[gazchap]

I bought a 2004 M3 cab on Friday night, loving it so far

It has sat-nav so has the big larger-than-double-DIN sized unit in it, but it doesn't have Bluetooth audio capability (and to be honest I can't even work out how to pair my phone to the Bluetooth that it DOES have fitted.)

What are the best choices for aftermarket jobbies at the moment? I see facia adapters and various things are available, which I've done before for other cars, but I also see there are E46-specific units available on eBay that run Android and the like, that are more or less just plug and play.

Any recommendations?

[MiloD]

Head over to m3cutters.co.uk if I were you, loads of info on there. Mixed reviews of the andrive units. Also look up Baris at Carphonics who I'm sure will be able to help. Enjoy the new motor, mine still puts a big smile on my face 9 months down the line.

[DennisCooper]

Hi

Have a full read through of this thread on the aforementioned M3cutters forum

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=914...

Also, Alpine have announced their iLX-700 shallow depth double DIN which is Apple Carplay specific. It's 7cm deep so perhaps between 2-4cm shallower than the Asteroid Smart. http://www.alpine.co.uk/media-center/newsreleases/...

The Parrot Asteroid Smart 2 is within the distribution channel and should be announced soon.

The chinese all in one unit's all have mixed reviews, but 'tend' to be more on the 'have issues/problems/lack of support' side.

Baris only refurbishes/repairs the oem modules.

Cheers, Dennis!

Edited by DennisCooper on Tuesday 2nd December 23:43

[rusticm3]

+1 for m3cutters and baris

[gazchap]

Thanks guys. Think I'm leaning towards the Parrot Asteroid Smart.

All sorts of confusion though about how I maintain steering wheel controls with that, and I guess it'd be nice to get a rear-view camera going at the same time. I see the Asteroid works with one, but will the "number plate light replacement" cameras I see kicking around work wtih the Parrot?

[pidsy]

Just put a pioneer touchscreen unit in mine.

DAB radio, wheel controls, parrot - for less than the parrot unit.

I'll have a look at which model it is.

[pidsy]

It's a pioneer AVH-x3600dab



It's a good bit of kit!

[HerrSchnell]

I swapped the CD changer for one of these, literally plug and play, and have been happy with it since:

http://www.gromaudio.com/store/usb_adapters/bmw_mi...

[gazchap]

HerrSchnell said:

I swapped the CD changer for one of these, literally plug and play, and have been happy with it since:

http://www.gromaudio.com/store/usb_adapters/bmw_mi...

If you use Bluetooth streaming on that, do the steering wheel controls work to skip tracks etc.?

[DennisCooper]

Hi Gazchap,

You need the UNIKA interface to use the Asteroid Smart with your steering wheel controls. Double check the latest compatibility aspects with a Parrot dealer as they'll be able to advise you correctly.

Value for money is excellent with the premium brands units, simplicity too with ipod control, USB slots, Wifi, GPS and much more all built in. You 'could' opt for the USB stick add on for DAB reception if you wish as well.

I've been extremely happy with my unit and there's a latest firmware update available for it as well !

Cheers, Dennis!

[RC1]

You've got a m3 cab. That's the only soundtrack you need. Forget the aftermarket audio!

[HerrSchnell]

gazchap said:

If you use Bluetooth streaming on that, do the steering wheel controls work to skip tracks etc.?

Haven't tried that but the steering wheel controls work with USB and ipod so I'm guessing it does.

I'll give it a go over the weekend and see.

[gazchap]

HerrSchnell said:

I swapped the CD changer for one of these, literally plug and play, and have been happy with it since:

http://www.gromaudio.com/store/usb_adapters/bmw_mi...

Just bought and fitted one of these (well, in my case, the "in the boot" version as I have the factory nav.) and can confirm that it works flawlessly, so thanks for the heads up

As an added bonus, it doesn't interfere with the hands-free operation of the factory Bluetooth which I was worried it might, so I can still take calls using the car's built-in microphone and use the phonebook etc. from the nav screen.

Fairly painless install, too - take off the boot lining in the left side of the boot, unbolt the CD changer bracket and remove, swap the plugs over and that's basically it. I've removed my actual CD changer though - not needed now and it weighs a couple of kilos.