E60: How to remove the stereo

[richcy]

Hi

I recently purchased a 2006 E60 BMW. So far I am EXTREMELY pleased with it. One niggle I have though is not with the car itself, but with what the previous owner did to it - they had an iPod cable installed in the glove box, and in doing so had the rear AUX port disconnected.

I'd like to know how I can remove the stereo (its the Professional Sat Nav, not sure if it makes a difference?) so I can re-connect the rear AUX port, and hopefully have both the iPod cable and the AUX port both working.

Thanks in advance

Rich

[Spandex]

Not sure the connections will be at the back of the stereo... The iPod adaptor is on the optical bus and will be in the glovebox, where the CD changer used to be. It's not electrically connected to the back of the stereo in the same way as a lot of cars.

Anyway, if you still want to get the head unit out, you need to take the long decorative wood/aluminium trim piece off first. use a table knife wrapped in electrical tape (so you don't scratch anything) and gently prise the trim away from the dash. Start at the passenger door end and work along. It's a pressure fit (metal 'spikes' on the back of the trim pushed into plastic grommets on the dash), so no screws to undo.

One the trim is away from the dash an inch or so, you should be able to push the hazard switch through from the back and unplug it. Now with the trim completely removed you should be able to see the screws holding the centre instrument panel trim in place. Undo these and the head unit is now accessible (2 or 4 more screws, depending on the HU).

[richcy]

Perfect, thank you Spandex!