E46 M3 Stereo upgrades
Discussion
Guys - has anyone had any exp. in upgrading from a single din to either a double din or single din stereo upgrade. What worked what didnt so well? the cars a 2005 M3. Just hopefully about to get my M boots back on again. But the stereo needs upgrading to at least have bluetooth and ipod stuff...
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Hi,
In short, it'll depend on which audio setup is in the car you purchase.
Single DIN upgrade is fairly straight forward. You'll need a fascia and perhaps connection kit for power ground etc and antenna. You might need to run these wires etc if the car you buy has GPS early versions and/or the later ones.
Double DIN upgrade means you'll need to modify the cabin airbox, get AC panel relocation trim pieces, fascia and do the wiring as per above.
Some will say to consider one of the cheap Chinese replacement all in one units - this is a possibility but do read all the feedback from people who have the various versions of them as it's a very mixed bag between ones that work and ones that well, just don't or have 'issues'.
If you really enjoy your music and wish for it to be very well reproduced, then chances are you'll prefer the premium brand products route with either a single or double DIN unit from the likes of Kenwood, Pioneer, Alpine, Sony and Clarion etc. You'll most likely want to upgrade the speakers and add a small simple subwoofer as well.
If you just want convenience overall, then consider the chinese options above albeit with the caveats I mention.
If the car you buy has the widescreen monitor/GPS setup, you can add to it with iPod interfaces, oem bluetooth or other iPod interfaces with bluetooth built in, have the amplifier module modified for more reliability and a bit more power, add the oem digital tv tuner etc. This route will cost the most as each of those add on bits are relatively expensive for the single functions they provide.
Cheers, Dennis!
In short, it'll depend on which audio setup is in the car you purchase.
Single DIN upgrade is fairly straight forward. You'll need a fascia and perhaps connection kit for power ground etc and antenna. You might need to run these wires etc if the car you buy has GPS early versions and/or the later ones.
Double DIN upgrade means you'll need to modify the cabin airbox, get AC panel relocation trim pieces, fascia and do the wiring as per above.
Some will say to consider one of the cheap Chinese replacement all in one units - this is a possibility but do read all the feedback from people who have the various versions of them as it's a very mixed bag between ones that work and ones that well, just don't or have 'issues'.
If you really enjoy your music and wish for it to be very well reproduced, then chances are you'll prefer the premium brand products route with either a single or double DIN unit from the likes of Kenwood, Pioneer, Alpine, Sony and Clarion etc. You'll most likely want to upgrade the speakers and add a small simple subwoofer as well.
If you just want convenience overall, then consider the chinese options above albeit with the caveats I mention.
If the car you buy has the widescreen monitor/GPS setup, you can add to it with iPod interfaces, oem bluetooth or other iPod interfaces with bluetooth built in, have the amplifier module modified for more reliability and a bit more power, add the oem digital tv tuner etc. This route will cost the most as each of those add on bits are relatively expensive for the single functions they provide.
Cheers, Dennis!
I've got the full factory sat nav unit. The car came without a CD changer, so I got hold of the MP3 CD changer unit via a bloke on eBay. I've also added the official BMW 'Aux in', so I can connect my ipod to it if I want. Phone bluetooth is already in there. The car didn't come with Harman Kardon speakers/sub, so I got a FANTASTIC set of Alpine speakers from a certain supplier in Hayes (in my view, the best place around), replacing the originals in the front and back. I also got a small sub, but I doubt you're the man-child I am so probably not fussed about getting a sub!
In summary.....if your car has the wiring already in there (CD changer loom; nav and phone, which is indicated by the 'shark fin' in the roof) then I'd get hold of the factory unit from a breaker, if I was you. Maybe I'm just OEM-obsessed but I think you should avoid installing *anything* which is visibly aftermarket like the plague. Speakers are the exception (the BMW ones are awful). The factory head unit supplies more than enough wattage to drive some good speakers.
In summary.....if your car has the wiring already in there (CD changer loom; nav and phone, which is indicated by the 'shark fin' in the roof) then I'd get hold of the factory unit from a breaker, if I was you. Maybe I'm just OEM-obsessed but I think you should avoid installing *anything* which is visibly aftermarket like the plague. Speakers are the exception (the BMW ones are awful). The factory head unit supplies more than enough wattage to drive some good speakers.
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