123d - Urgent Advice on Retro-fitting USB & Cruise

[scz4]

am looking at a Sept 07 123D 3 Door (from a dealership down south)/ It has quite a few goodies and more importantly is £10k under the retail price with just a couple of thousand miles on the clock.

The only things it doesn’t have that I’d like are:
1-USB
2-Cruise
3-Hi-Fi

Dealer has quoted £525 fitted for the USB retro-fit (apparently it needs more wiring as it only has the basic head unit). Does that sound right?

What’s the price for cruise control retro fit?

Also, I know when I was looking at an E91 3 series found out BMW actually now supply a kit to upgrade the standard sound system (which is bound to be terrible) to include and amp and few extra tweeters. Is there an equivilant kit available for the 1 series?

Said I’d call the chap back in the morning so would appreciate your advice.

G

[pgilc1]

scz4 said:

am looking at a Sept 07 123D 3 Door (from a dealership down south)/ It has quite a few goodies and more importantly is £10k under the retail price with just a couple of thousand miles on the clock.

The only things it doesn’t have that I’d like are:
1-USB
2-Cruise
3-Hi-Fi

Dealer has quoted £525 fitted for the USB retro-fit (apparently it needs more wiring as it only has the basic head unit). Does that sound right?

What’s the price for cruise control retro fit?

Also, I know when I was looking at an E91 3 series found out BMW actually now supply a kit to upgrade the standard sound system (which is bound to be terrible) to include and amp and few extra tweeters. Is there an equivilant kit available for the 1 series?

Said I’d call the chap back in the morning so would appreciate your advice.

G

You could easily spend £1500+ on adding these bits, which will be dead money come resale time.

Are there no cars on BMW AUC with the spec you want?

[chrisk]

There is an Alpine upgrade BMW approved kit available for the 1-series, costs ~£220 and can be self fit supposed to be very good, includes amp/speakers etc.

Check out babybmw.com (or net) for more answers....

[scz4]

Thanks,

I decided I don't need cruise. Will try and get the ipod kit and alpine upgrade into the deal.

G

[pgilc1]

scz4 said:

Thanks,

I decided I don't need cruise. Will try and get the ipod kit and alpine upgrade into the deal.

G

Sounds like a plan. The USB interface is handy and the standard sound is naff (if its anything like that on my e60)

[LocoBlade]

I believe you need the Professional head unit for USB, as the stock Business unit doesn't have the USB conections or functionality to support it.

There's a hifi upgrade for the 1 series which is made by Alpine for BMW, which includes new mid range speakers for the doors, tweeters (none as standard) and an amp, all for just over £200 and evidently easy to fit yourself (see here http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&am...

Pete (aka Verysideways on PH and that link) has just fitted it to his 130i, so he may be worth tapping up for info.

For cruise, see http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&am...

Edited by LocoBlade on Wednesday 5th November 18:14

[LocoBlade]

Out of interest have you driven the facelift 120d as well a 123d? If so, I'd be interested to hear what you thought of the comparative performance of them both?

[Donut]

AUX input is standard on all 1 series, or if you need it to charge the ipod, bring track details up on the head unit and be able to change tracks from the s/wheel, you could have an ipod lead fitted in the glove box for £299..........

Before you spend money on the Hi-Fi upgrade use the standard setup for a while and see if it is sufficient for you.

[KenD]

Donut said:

AUX input is standard on all 1 series, or if you need it to charge the ipod, bring track details up on the head unit and be able to change tracks from the s/wheel, you could have an ipod lead fitted in the glove box for £299..........

Before you spend money on the Hi-Fi upgrade use the standard setup for a while and see if it is sufficient for you.

Is the £299 inclusive of vat and recoding?

[Donut]

KenD said:

Donut said:

AUX input is standard on all 1 series, or if you need it to charge the ipod, bring track details up on the head unit and be able to change tracks from the s/wheel, you could have an ipod lead fitted in the glove box for £299..........

Before you spend money on the Hi-Fi upgrade use the standard setup for a while and see if it is sufficient for you.

Is the £299 inclusive of vat and recoding?

Think so, The last one I had done cost this as there was an offer on, wasn't that long ago......

It was on an X5 (E70) and the only draw back was the loss of use of the 6 CD but you'd hardly need one anyhow.

[scz4]

Hi guys,

As above, ended up going for the ipod kit. I am picking up the 123d on Sat morning (can't wait). Dealer just called to confirm it's working through the steering wheels controls and displays the artist, songs etc.

What suprised me though was the connection is in the glovebox. Should that concern me or is that normal for retro-fits? Personally I prefer it as I don't need to remove the ipod when parking the car somewhere.

I am not sure if they did it this way to avoid fitting the professional stereo? If so any sound quality differences between the Business and Professional head units. I'll do the Alpine speaker and amp upgrade next year.

G

Edited by scz4 on Thursday 20th November 16:02

[Donut]

scz4 said:

Hi guys,

As above, ended up going for the ipod kit. I picking up the 123d on Sat morning (can't wait). Dealer just called to confirm it's working through the steering wheels controls and displays the artist, songs etc.

What suprised me though was the connection is in the glovebox. Should that concern me or is that normal for retro-fits? Personally I prefer it as I don't need to remove the ipod when parking the car somewhere.

I am not sure if they did it this way to avoid fitting the professional stereo? If so any sound quality differences between the Business and Professional head units. I'll do the Alpine speaker and amp upgrade next year.

Yep. Glove box is where it should be.....

As you say it's safer in there!

Enjoy

[scz4]

Donut said:

Yep. Glove box is where it should be.....

As you say it's safer in there!

Enjoy

Thanks

I guess they have fitted the professional head unit from what I've just read elsewhere.