CD Changer - BMW 3-series Compact

[Gizmoish]

Using the hive mind a bit... I've just bought a 3-series compact without the CD changer in the boot.

I'll need to get one fitted, that's fine and within my (limited) ability. But am I right in thinking pretty much any changer will plug in and talk to the head unit (standard BMW Business unit)?

[E30M3SE]

No, it won't.

What year manufacturer is your BMW compact, should be a month and year under the bonnet on n/s wings?

[Gizmoish]

E30M3SE said:

No, it won't.

What year manufacturer is your BMW compact, should be a month and year under the bonnet on n/s wings?

Oh. Made Feb 03, iirc.

[E30M3SE]

You'll need something like this, if your car is Cd changer prep'd from factory, you can check this here using the last 7 digits of your cars VIN.

Or, if the car is pre-wired then there are plenty of BMW changers on ebay| from around £60, search for 'BMW e46 cd changer'

Edited by E30M3SE on Sunday 5th August 17:35

[Gizmoish]

It does have the wires - three and six pin connectors. (Power and data?)

I'll try the Bay... Thanks.

[matthias73]

quick note-make sure the changer comes with a CD holder/cassete thingy to put the actual CD's into.

[GoodDoc]

As you're going to spend actual money would MP3 player connectivity be more useful?

Within 24 hours of buying my current car I had disconnected the CD changer and installed an iPhone/iPod adapter. Some quick googleing suggests it's an easy change for your car, but probably not for £60 from eBay money, but then it won't be second hand, or from eBay.

[matthias73]

GoodDoc said:

As you're going to spend actual money would MP3 player connectivity be more useful?

Within 24 hours of buying my current car I had disconnected the CD changer and installed an iPhone/iPod adapter. Some quick googleing suggests it's an easy change for your car, but probably not for £60 from eBay money, but then it won't be second hand, or from eBay.

His car will have a tape deck in the front, which means a fiver for a tape deck to mp3 converter. Got mine from asda whilst I wait for the changer cassete for my cds and it works really well.

So no real need to splash out on another wire.

[Gizmoish]

matthias73 said:

His car will have a tape deck in the front, which means a fiver for a tape deck to mp3 converter. Got mine from asda whilst I wait for the changer cassete for my cds and it works really well.

So no real need to splash out on another wire.

True, but those converter things are really crappy, I've had them before.

I'd rather have a changer that I can stick CDs and MP3 CDs into.