CD player for E31 - 1991 850i - any suggestions ?

[theforce]

Hi Guys

I need a new head unit/ CD player for my 1991 850i , any suggestions / recommendations?

Thanks

[dancerst]

Get a BMW business CD (CD43)






Or BMW traffic PRO

[MParallel]

^^
Did you mod the bezel on the CD43 to make it sit flush? On the E36 the CD43 aways sticks out a little. Since the 8 series also uses a 1-DIN slot where all other model units sit flush, you must have done something to it, otherwise it should've stuck out a little too.

[dancerst]

^^ Did you mod the bezel on the CD43 to make it sit flush? On the E36 the CD43 aways sticks out a little. Since the 8 series also uses a 1-DIN slot where all other model units sit flush, you must have done something to it, otherwise it should've stuck out a little too.

Yes I did)))

I have tons of pictures on my phone from that project)))

[MParallel]

Yes I did)))

I have tons of pictures on my phone from that project)))

Care to share? Or send me your phone

[dancerst]

Care to share? Or send me your phone

I guess I have to write a DIY.
I'm already behind my promises on that though))
But this week I can find down time I think.

[Chillax]

IF you can find one, you might consider one of these...

JVC KDAVX-77 "El Kameleon"

[dragon850]

IF you can find one, you might consider one of these...

JVC KDAVX-77 "El Kameleon"

I have one in my 8, super nice. Great option for 8 series. You can't find them anymore..

[Chillax]

Ditto!

I connected it to my iPad and forgot. Later I jumped in drove off and music started playing -didn't think nothing of it as I always have a CD or DVD in it. I didn't realize it was still connected though until the thought hit me that the CD was playing for quite some time!!

[theforce]

what so good / unique about the BMW business CD (CD43) or traffic pro?

[toomanyparts]

In general, they don't ruin the looks of the interior with tacky lighting and support ibus if you plan to make further updates to the electronics/audio side.

[dancerst]

In general, they don't ruin the looks of the interior with tacky lighting and support ibus if you plan to make further updates to the electronics/audio side.

Exactly. iBus - for steering wheel buttons at least.

To CD43 you can connect any iPod/iPhone or memory card reader and enjoy your favorite music without skips on bumps and with no need to go back in the trunk to change CDs.

Traffic Pro has build in NAVIGATION (which I actually use sometimes), large LCD, also supports steering wheel buttons and CD changer.
Plus it charges my phone and has an build in AUX.

[MParallel]

Then another favorite would be the also Becker made BMW Professional RDS, while a tapedeck, it has a CDC connecting, so also tons of options for external interfaces giving you all modern playback options.

It's hard to beat its looks, only shame is no CD text/Id3 tag support.

Dancerst: see you also fitted the later style steering wheel stalks to your E31,
nice.

[dancerst]

Then another favorite would be the also Becker made BMW Professional RDS, while a tapedeck, it has a CDC connecting, so also tons of options for external interfaces giving you all modern playback options. It's hard to beat its looks, only shame is no CD text/Id3 tag support. Dancerst: see you also fitted the later style steering wheel stalks to your E31, nice.

Yes, this is what people awaiting for me to write a DIY about... :-/

[EEDegreeToDrive]

I put a JVC Receiver in with Bluetooth A2DP and Speakerphone a few years back.. It was pretty inexpensive, and on most of them you can set the color to match the dash very close.

I'm also using it with the stock amp and stock speakers, but I did add a custom, shallow 12" subwoofer box that fits perfectly in the trunk (height and width to the phone tray). I also removed the cell phone radio, and installed an amplifier in its place; I even reused the power cable/harness/fuse from the phone for the stereo (I used a 30A fuse, which the car was already wired to handle). Cables ran up the center console pretty easily. Turned down the bass on the stock speakers, and they sound pretty good.

...Or for $22 you can just put this POS in there with Mp3, Bluetooth, Memory card, etc, since your car has a built in amplifier. :-)

Don't forget to order the $5-6 adapter cable

[rjbaren]

I went with a Becker head unit with CD the Auxiliary input with a cable I run though the console. I should have gone the extra mile and gone for the Bluetooth. I added
a JL audio 12" in a box I built with a 300 watt mono block. I also changed only the mid speakers in the doors to Faital pro Neodymium and I am in heaven.

[MParallel]

Yes, this is what people awaiting for me to write a DIY about... :-/

haha, I bet. Years ago someone with an E38 did the same thing and posted many pics of it. Was on a Dutch 7 series forum. Didn't look too bad, but I forgot the exact steps.

Tough one though. It gives so much more options for steering wheels, but the M3 I have to keep stock. I like the new stuff you don't see, like the MFL CC controls (I finally fitted your HW08 module last summer, after having it for like 3/4 years). It works so good, but now works unbelievably smooth after I coded the module to the E36 M3 SMG parameters. Better than factory system!

[Fatandre]

Which one is actually the better one to go regarding sound? CD43 or the BMW Becker indianapolis?

[dancerst]

Which one is actually the better one to go regarding sound? CD43 or the BMW Becker indianapolis?

That's a nice question.

I've never heard how Indianapolis sounds. But between CD43 and traffic pro I'd choose CD43.

P.S. even though I'm currently using traffic pro just for greater look.

[dancerst]

haha, I bet. Years ago someone with an E38 did the same thing and posted many pics of it. Was on a Dutch 7 series forum. Didn't look too bad, but I forgot the exact steps. Tough one though. It gives so much more options for steering wheels, but the M3 I have to keep stock. I like the new stuff you don't see, like the MFL CC controls (I finally fitted your HW08 module last summer, after having it for like 3/4 years). It works so good, but now works unbelievably smooth after I coded the module to the E36 M3 SMG parameters. Better than factory system!

I think my way is different. It doesn't require any extra modules to be wired.


Oh! Finally! Congrats! I'm happy it's working well (I wasn't surprised it would though lol)

I guess I need to code mine in e31 now? Can you pm me with info on how to do it?

[MParallel]

Sure no problem.

I'll send it by email. The correct coding is the icing on the cake as different models move the throttle butterfly a different amount for x amount of bowden cable movement.

When I turn on CC I don't even feel it. No small shock nothing. I posted most stuff in the E36 DIY MFL/CC topic.
But you don't post there that much lately. Don't know about looking.

[toomanyparts]

That's a nice question.

I've never heard how Indianapolis sounds. But between CD43 and traffic pro I'd choose CD43.

P.S. even though I'm currently using traffic pro just for greater look.

I know nothing of the Traffic Pro, but between the CD43 and the Indianapolis, they're honestly fairly close and you won't tell much of a difference with stock speakers, but reconing them certainly helps.

I do think the BMW 7969 (branded Becker Indianapolis) is awesome though as it supports ibus and can still control the trunk changer if you update to an E38 unit. I picked one up for roughly what a BMW branded CD43 goes for and gave the 43 to a friend. Not looking back, but would not pay $500 for one either.

[tangcla]

If you are looking for aftermarket, I'd recommend the Pioneer DEH-X8700DAB. It has digital radio (which for us here in Australia is pretty good), black deisgn with user-selectable backlight.

[MParallel]

...I do think the BMW 7969 (branded Becker Indianapolis) is awesome though as it supports ibus and can still control the trunk changer ...

So do the CD43 and BE2455.

[Corellian Corve]

Sorry I want to clarify. I have a '97 840ci. I think it has the pioneer CD changer.

The CD43 will support the factory changer? Is it easy to enable BT or AUX with the CD43?