1994 E34 525i factory cassette vs. CD head unit

[npmonteiro]

Hello there!

I just bought a 1994 525i (36k miles!) and it comes with the factory cassette head unit. I was going to add the factory CD-changer but found the head unit has poor radio reception. If I replace the head unit with the factory in-dash CD instead do you think I'd get better radio reception? Thanks a lot!

Cheers,

--NPM

[russiankid]

I don't think there was a factory in-dash CD player. As far as reception goes, I doubt it will.

[strad]

It would make more sense to check the antenna system out very thoroughly than it would to replace the head unit at this point.

[npmonteiro]

There is an in-dash CD player, called CD43 aka business CD. You can find them on eBay. (sorry, my forum newbie doesn't allow me to post an image or a link...) I have heard others complain about the poor sound of the cassette head unit when playing radio, "an embarrassment to BMW engineers" is what one BMW magazine wrote. But I don't know if the CD unit will sound better...

[russiankid]

There is an in-dash CD player, called CD43 aka business CD. You can find them on eBay. (sorry, my forum newbie doesn't allow me to post an image or a link...) I have heard others complain about the poor sound of the cassette head unit when playing radio, "an embarrassment to BMW engineers" is what one BMW magazine wrote. But I don't know if the CD unit will sound better...

E34's, from what I know, never came with an in-dash CD player. They do have CD changers in the trunk...but thats about it.

[npmonteiro]

You're absolutely right, russiankid! I think the in-dash CD was available in 7-series, not 5-series, but it seems to be a common upgrade and it is fully compatible with the E-34. If anyone has a sense of whether this CD is better than the factory cassette head unit on the E-34 *playing radio* please let me know!

[ILoveMPower]

You're absolutely right, russiankid! I think the in-dash CD was available in 7-series, not 5-series, but it seems to be a common upgrade and it is fully compatible with the E-34. If anyone has a sense of whether this CD is better than the factory cassette head unit on the E-34 *playing radio* please let me know!

Yes this is true, a very worthwhile upgrade I hear, although I have no experience. It's also found on Range rovers and typically they are cheaper then the BMW variants.

http://i10.ebayimg.com/04/i/001/2a/7d/68e8_1.JPG

[npmonteiro]

Thanks, ILoveMPower! That's exactly the radio. They go for about $250-$300 on eBay in mint condition.

[ltflint]

Worth it in my opinion since I like to stay with a factory headunit. The CD 43 will allow for iPod integration with the text displayed on the headunit as well.

[4500 RPM]

I like factory headunits for the looks but not for the sound. How about getting a great-sounding headunit with near-factory looks? Enter the Nakamichi CD-400: Lights up amber, has good FM reception, CD player (great one BTW), and an aux input for an iPod cable.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Georgia4Runner/Bimmer/IMG_0906.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Georgia4Runner/Bimmer/IMG_0905.jpg

[ShapeShifter]

I agree I like the oem look where possible.
Only problem with the Nakamichi is no satelite hook up.
They are awesome though, I had a few of them in the early 90's.

I hate to see all these cars with a thousand gizmos on their dash and
windshield.
I may go with with CD43 in wagon, but I will be driving it all over the east coast.
So i need something with iPod hook up and built in sat.
I will more than likely install my old kenwood ez-500. Very understated looks and I have all the modules for sat.

[npmonteiro]

I will probably go with the BMW unit, as I prefer the factory looks, though the Nakamichi looks good too. (And I'm sure it sounds better; I used to have Nakamichi tape decks at home in the 80s/90s and they were superb.) How would I be able to integrate my iPod integration with the BMW unit? All I need is a socket to plug my iPod video, no need for power supply, etc.

[4500 RPM]

I will probably go with the BMW unit, as I prefer the factory looks, though the Nakamichi looks good too. (And I'm sure it sounds better; I used to have Nakamichi tape decks at home in the 80s/90s and they were superb.) How would I be able to integrate my iPod integration with the BMW unit? All I need is a socket to plug my iPod video, no need for power supply, etc.

You have to buy a DICE module as far as I know, which is about $150 vs. my $14 cable from Parts Express.

Also, the Ebay ones with the ///M are really Rover or MINI units...they work but some light up green, while you don't know what's under that logo.

[E34Kevin]

woah only 36k miles? nice. Do the built-in ipod cable inputs in those headunits sound pretty good?

[ltflint]

CD 43 with the Dice module and the BSW speaker upgrade is very good.

[npmonteiro]

OK, so I think I would settle for the CD43 and I'm curious about the DICE module and the BavarianSoundWerks speakers upgrade, but in neither website can I find the products if I choose the E34 chassis. Could you point me out what to get? I would be particularly interested in speakers that I could replace myself without rewiring or changing the fittings etc. Thanks!

[4500 RPM]

Have you priced this stuff out? I'd do piece-by-piece, and find a set of 5.25 Focal midbass and a set of tweeters instead of a $500 BSW package.

[npmonteiro]

Here's my situation. I have the factory system - cassette head unit and factory speakers. I want to get a CD43 CD head unit and then upgrade whatever speakers I can change myself. Looking online, it seems as if the easiest speakers to change are the ones on the front kick-panel (5 1/4") and rear deck speakers (4"). I also found written on another forum that the factory in-door tweeters are reasonably good and aren't worth the trouble. I would appreciate help with the following:

1) What should I change re: speakers? Does BSW carry a stage 1 speaker system upgrade for the E34?

2) How do I integrate the iPod into the CD 43 head unit? Using the DICE universal kit? Can someone tell me how to install it?

[4500 RPM]

See, I fade the speakers very far forward, so rears are nearly useless. Non-blown stockers are just fine.

Front kickpanel speakers need replacing, they are 5.25s. I have MB Quarts and should have gone with low-model Focals. D'oh!

The in-door tweeters suck on the later models (white label). Seriously, terrible. I'm hardly an audiophile and was about to rip my last hairs out if I had to stick with the stockers after hearing my metal-dome Quart tweeters.

The midranges are great, don't touch them. I upgraded them anyways as sqitis found the ones that we think are the ones in the BSW kit.

The CD43/iPod question has been answered a ton in the audio forum. Go there.

[npmonteiro]

Thanks 4500RPM! If I buy component speakers, say a set of 5.25" midbass with separate 3/4" tweeters, they all come with a separate crossover. Can I just connect the speakers and use the factory crossover, i.e., not installing the crossover that comes with the speakers?

[jel]

I put this Dice http://www.europeanautosource.com/product_info.php?cPath=67_69_135_170&products_id=1624 & a CD43 in last month; sounds better using stock speakers. It took 10 minutes for the whole swap/Dice install. Make sure to order the R17 radio interface to avoid lots of wiring work. The stock HU has soft brass 5 sided sockets so many have been rounded out by people using a hex key in them; proper tool is available @ dealer/elsewhere. CD43 has 2.5mm hex socket, you will need a large flat screwdriver to lift the latch securing the connector to the radio. Since i'm still experimenting w/dice DIP switches I snaked the cable to the module though a trim gap into the glove box then dropped the iPod docking cable out the left side of the glovebox. The docking cable supports USB/other charging & there is a 3.5mm aux input jack on the Dice module. Tom @ EAS is very helpful & I reccommmend ordering from this supporting vendor. I price shopped extensively & decided possibley saving $10 wasn't worth the risk of having no warranty and/or an older unit w/o USB charging. Good luck, welcome to the forum & congratulations on finding such a low milage 525!

[Phateless]

Thanks 4500RPM! If I buy component speakers, say a set of 5.25" midbass with separate 3/4" tweeters, they all come with a separate crossover. Can I just connect the speakers and use the factory crossover, i.e., not installing the crossover that comes with the speakers?

In theory you could but it might sound like shit. The crossover is probably the most sophisticated part of a component speaker kit. It's not that much extra effort, just do it properly.

[npmonteiro]

Do you guys know of a DIY guide with step-by-step instructions for installing the CD43, DICE, and component speakers? Thanks for your input!!!

[4500 RPM]

Thanks 4500RPM! If I buy component speakers, say a set of 5.25" midbass with separate 3/4" tweeters, they all come with a separate crossover. Can I just connect the speakers and use the factory crossover, i.e., not installing the crossover that comes with the speakers?

This stuff is over my head, but I believe the FAQ outlines the different E34 audio systems. The '94-'95 has a passive x-over system, quite complex. You either upgrade the speakers near factory parameters and use the stock amp and passive x-overs or you start with a clean slate and spend some $$$...only worth it if you go Denon HU or something like that IMO.

The frequencies are a little off with the factory x-overs but I live with it.


Do you guys know of a DIY guide with step-by-step instructions for installing the CD43, DICE, and component speakers? Thanks for your input!!!

Once again don't mess with the component speakers. Just buy them seperately, as you don't need midranges. Find the measurements of the stock midbasses and find a pair of nice ones that don't need too much power online.

[npmonteiro]

Thanks! So if I understand you correctly, you bought component speakers and installed them *without* touching the amp/crossovers, right?

Also, re: component speakers, when you say "buy them separately" you mean buy the midbasses separately from the tweeters? Proof of my ignorance on these matters that I didn't know that was possible... Thanks again!

[4500 RPM]

Thanks! So if I understand you correctly, you bought component speakers and installed them *without* touching the amp/crossovers, right?

Also, re: component speakers, when you say "buy them separately" you mean buy the midbasses separately from the tweeters? Proof of my ignorance on these matters that I didn't know that was possible... Thanks again!

Exactly, I didn't use the x-overs in the kit. In retrospect I should have taken taht money and spent it on a nicer pair of midbasses, and then buy separate tweeters.

Just google "5.25 Focal" and see what you come up with. The mounts may be a little different but not too much.

sqitis and others have Focal midbasses. That's just one brand, plenty of others.