2-din head unit replacement on E46 M3
Discussion
The title almost says it all... I'm looking for a replacement head unit for my 2-din system. My standard system still works fine and looks good, but it's just a bit outdated obviously. Definitely want usb and bluetooth, preferably Apple CarPlay but that's not a must. Navigation isn't a must either. Anybody has any experience the'd like to share? Good or bad?
Thanks
Bram
Thanks
Bram
No, it's not a proper double DIN.
Installing a full double DIN is a big job, installing anything with the factory Nav system is quite a big job.
Installing a full double DIN unit means cutting the A/C vents and modifying a vent lever as there is not enough room otherwise.
An option is a slim Double DIN with no media slot (CD/DVD) just USB/Bluetooth/iPod etc. Parrot (Asteroid SMART) and Alpine (iLX-700) make one for example.
Your next problem is the factory Nav, everything is in the wrong place, the monitor up front is just that, a monitor (plus media slot plus keys). The radio and amp (built into the radio or separate if you have HiFi or HK audio) is in the boot, so the antenna and speaker connections are all there and not behind the dash.
If you have Hi-Fi or HK, you will have a multi channel amp, one channel for each speaker, so an active crossover system. You can't just plug in a 4 channel amp, you would have to either replace the speakers and either re-wire or re-use some of the wires.
You'll also need a bezel and mounting frame as the factory system it totally non standard.
Installing a full double DIN is a big job, installing anything with the factory Nav system is quite a big job.
Installing a full double DIN unit means cutting the A/C vents and modifying a vent lever as there is not enough room otherwise.
An option is a slim Double DIN with no media slot (CD/DVD) just USB/Bluetooth/iPod etc. Parrot (Asteroid SMART) and Alpine (iLX-700) make one for example.
Your next problem is the factory Nav, everything is in the wrong place, the monitor up front is just that, a monitor (plus media slot plus keys). The radio and amp (built into the radio or separate if you have HiFi or HK audio) is in the boot, so the antenna and speaker connections are all there and not behind the dash.
If you have Hi-Fi or HK, you will have a multi channel amp, one channel for each speaker, so an active crossover system. You can't just plug in a 4 channel amp, you would have to either replace the speakers and either re-wire or re-use some of the wires.
You'll also need a bezel and mounting frame as the factory system it totally non standard.
Hi,
A good summation from RichardP above!
If your oem modules are working and you are considering selling the car in the short/medium term future, then I'd say leave as is. You'll just have to cross your fingers and hope that they remain fully working when it's time to sell. If any of the multiple points of failure with the oem setup happens, the fixes are relatively expensive. Keep this site http://www.carphonics.co.uk/ bookmarked for repairs and upgrades to the oem setup.
If you do decide to go for an aftermarket solution, then the choices for less installation hassle are the Parrot Asteroid Smart and the Alpine iLX-700. These are both shallow depth units which do fit without having to modify the cabin airbox and air pipes etc. The Alpine is a full Apple CarPlay unit too.
This is what the Parrot Asteroid Smart looks like in an E46 M3
Lastly, all the cheap, chinese made head units you'll see awash on ebay are low quality, low reliability (in most cases) unit's in every aspect. 'Andrive' after a period of total silence and non support of it's customers late 2014, don't exist anymore and the company dissolved. Support in the UK for any chinese made unit is next to nil or none at all. There's a couple of places who import chinese units and sell them to UK customers, and on other forums where people have purchased, the support is at best, next to nil with a couple recent purchasers returning their £550 units..
If you are willing to take the 'gamble' on a chinese unit, I wish you good luck!
Cheers, Dennis!
A good summation from RichardP above!
If your oem modules are working and you are considering selling the car in the short/medium term future, then I'd say leave as is. You'll just have to cross your fingers and hope that they remain fully working when it's time to sell. If any of the multiple points of failure with the oem setup happens, the fixes are relatively expensive. Keep this site http://www.carphonics.co.uk/ bookmarked for repairs and upgrades to the oem setup.
If you do decide to go for an aftermarket solution, then the choices for less installation hassle are the Parrot Asteroid Smart and the Alpine iLX-700. These are both shallow depth units which do fit without having to modify the cabin airbox and air pipes etc. The Alpine is a full Apple CarPlay unit too.
This is what the Parrot Asteroid Smart looks like in an E46 M3
Lastly, all the cheap, chinese made head units you'll see awash on ebay are low quality, low reliability (in most cases) unit's in every aspect. 'Andrive' after a period of total silence and non support of it's customers late 2014, don't exist anymore and the company dissolved. Support in the UK for any chinese made unit is next to nil or none at all. There's a couple of places who import chinese units and sell them to UK customers, and on other forums where people have purchased, the support is at best, next to nil with a couple recent purchasers returning their £550 units..
If you are willing to take the 'gamble' on a chinese unit, I wish you good luck!
Cheers, Dennis!
Edited by DennisCooper on Saturday 14th February 20:04
My OEM module still works, so that's not the reason to switch. My M3 is a weekend car, only maybe 3.000 km per year, but when I drive it, I'd like to have the option to listen to the music on my iPhone, have SatNav when needed (when it gets driven, it's mostly on roadtrips/weekends where I don't know the roads.) etc...
The Alpine system sounds tempting. Anyone have experience with it? Would it install easily? And is it compatible with HK?
The Alpine system sounds tempting. Anyone have experience with it? Would it install easily? And is it compatible with HK?
Hi
Ive got a e46 m3 wih Harmon Kardon system also. A quick workaround for Bluetooth audio is to get an aux in adaptor from eBay for approx £10 which is designed to wire into the original e46 sat nav head unit (the wiring is already in the loom behind the dash, well it was on mine anyway) then a usb Bluetooth audio adaptor for approx £5 which you can run off the cars 12 v,.
Select the aux in input,, connect phone to Bluetooth for audio(you can still keep the phone connected to the original cars phone Bluetooth for calls only) and stream away from your phone.
Here is an example which I copied for mine,
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=651...
Ive got a e46 m3 wih Harmon Kardon system also. A quick workaround for Bluetooth audio is to get an aux in adaptor from eBay for approx £10 which is designed to wire into the original e46 sat nav head unit (the wiring is already in the loom behind the dash, well it was on mine anyway) then a usb Bluetooth audio adaptor for approx £5 which you can run off the cars 12 v,.
Select the aux in input,, connect phone to Bluetooth for audio(you can still keep the phone connected to the original cars phone Bluetooth for calls only) and stream away from your phone.
Here is an example which I copied for mine,
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=651...
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff