iphone capable radio

[warwagen]

Forum,

Does anyone have a good idea about a resonably priced radio for an E34 that will connect to an iphone? I will not change my center console for a radio, but I do need to know that a head unit is out there that will plug and play with my existing connections.

[sse34]

Search there are a couple threads around here about this and there I think a alpine radio that even matches the Interior orange color.

[Blak540i]

Reasonably priced is subjective, if you are looking for something under 200 dollars Crutchfield (http://www.crutchfield.com/g_300/Car-Receivers.html?tp=5684) is a good place to start looking reviews wise. They can be a little expensive so once you found a good single din that you like try Sonic Electronix (http://www.sonicelectronix.com)because they generally have better prices. As for iphone connectivity just look for one with a usb out or a 3.5 aux jack, both work for the iphone.

[gixxerboy63]

I just bought this one for $275 on ebay. It is an Authentic BMW Business CD Stereo MP3 Aux in Head Unit that plugs right into our std factory harness and matches our interiors! It has a stereo "mini-jack" connection to plug-n play to connect your Ipod, smartphone, MP3, Sirius/Satelite radio or any other device (Line-out).

I really didn't want to go aftermarket so I'm super excited to get this.

http://aleksask.puslapiai.lt/BMW2012121/files/IMGP36900.jpg

http://aleksask.puslapiai.lt/BMW2012121/files/IMGP0010.jpg

[mottati]

that's interesting. Is that not a cd43? (i've never seen a cd43 with aux input)

[ancho]

Kenwood KDC-BT952HD or 948HD.

[gixxerboy63]

that's interesting. Is that not a cd43? (i've never seen a cd43 with aux input)

Looks like one but not sure. Here is the BMW part number; 65 12 8 377 909

[KyleTaylor]

I got a JVC media HU.

Has great internal crossovers... 2 x 1 amp USB and bluetoother. Most of my iphone music and streaming sounds just as good bluethooth as it does usb so I never plug it in.. just let the HU pick it up within 25 seconds.

Also the screen has 16 colors so you can match BMW orange easily

[robbytrent]

I just bought this one for $275 on ebay. It is an Authentic BMW Business CD Stereo MP3 Aux in Head Unit that plugs right into our std factory harness and matches our interiors! It has a stereo "mini-jack" connection to plug-n play to connect your Ipod, smartphone, MP3, Sirius/Satelite radio or any other device (Line-out).

I really didn't want to go aftermarket so I'm super excited to get this.

http://aleksask.puslapiai.lt/BMW2012121/files/IMGP36900.jpg

http://aleksask.puslapiai.lt/BMW2012121/files/IMGP0010.jpg

Would this fit a earlier car? i think the plugs are different, which is why i ask.

[cddallara]

I just bought this one for $275 on ebay. It is an Authentic BMW Business CD Stereo MP3 Aux in Head Unit that plugs right into our std factory harness and matches our interiors! It has a stereo "mini-jack" connection to plug-n play to connect your Ipod, smartphone, MP3, Sirius/Satelite radio or any other device (Line-out).

I really didn't want to go aftermarket so I'm super excited to get this.

bmwradio.jpg
I like that! I went aftermarket, and a bit more $ unfortunately http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q4/cddallara/3A40548C-B43F-4B6B-9E12-2AF939D81E51-312-0000004EA5EB9B9F.jpg

[bfp9]

I loved my CD43 when I had it. Unfortunately its pretty expensive. I think I've also read that the Ipod connection kit via Dice or Mediabridge is pretty faulty for how expensive it is.

[ShapeShifter]

I have an Alpina CDA 9887 with Sat and full iPhone/iPod control.
I love it so much, I put one in both cars.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/Smokiemon968/BMW%20Touring/fc623271.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/Smokiemon968/89%20BMW%20635CSI/c579eac9.jpg

[jehu]

I have an Alpina CDA 9887 with Sat and full iPhone/iPod control.
I love it so much, I put one in both cars.






How did you wire it ? I have an Alpine CD HU I bought a premade adapter on ebay... plugs into the e 34 harness connector and I spliced the wires in to the Alpine color matched .. now it worked but I heard a mild buzz at low volumes..didn't like it .. any ideas how to surpress that?

CD43 does fine in any case but the Alpine seems to have more power still

[warwagen]

Reasonably priced is subjective, if you are looking for something under 200 dollars Crutchfield (http://www.crutchfield.com/g_300/Car-Receivers.html?tp=5684) is a good place to start looking reviews wise. They can be a little expensive so once you found a good single din that you like try Sonic Electronix (http://www.sonicelectronix.com)because they generally have better prices. As for iphone connectivity just look for one with a usb out or a 3.5 aux jack, both work for the iphone.


Thanks I will look for that, first time I COULD have an iphone connected car.


I like that! I went aftermarket, and a bit more $ unfortunately http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q4/cddallara/3A40548C-B43F-4B6B-9E12-2AF939D81E51-312-0000004EA5EB9B9F.jpg

Where does that aux wire connect to come from behind the unit? I cant see how it gets into the cabin with you, do you have it mounted?


How did you wire it ? I have an Alpine CD HU I bought a premade adapter on ebay... plugs into the e 34 harness connector and I spliced the wires in to the Alpine color matched .. now it worked but I heard a mild buzz at low volumes..didn't like it .. any ideas how to surpress that?

CD43 does fine in any case but the Alpine seems to have more power still

Got the car used, it still had teh stock connectorm and some extra stuff that I have not identified quite yet. I am going to put a stock head unit in for starters.

[gixxerboy63]

Would this fit a earlier car? i think the plugs are different, which is why i ask.

Yes, there is a adpter harness you can buy for a few dollars...

[ShapeShifter]

How did you wire it ? I have an Alpine CD HU I bought a premade adapter on ebay... plugs into the e 34 harness connector and I spliced the wires in to the Alpine color matched .. now it worked but I heard a mild buzz at low volumes..didn't like it .. any ideas how to surpress that?

CD43 does fine in any case but the Alpine seems to have more power still

When I first installed it to the factory amp and speakers I did not have any problems. In fact the headunit made the stock stuff sound much better.

I have since rewired new components directly to the headunit bypassing the deleting the satcom amp/crossover. Sounds 10x better. I have a new 5 channel amp and small sub to install soon.

[Aradaiel]

I went with an Alpine. Has bluetooth connectability for phone calls and streaming audio. It even controlls pandora from the headunit (skip track), or when I use my phones media player it does everything. I have an android phone, but they make a version specifically for an i-phone that will thumbs up/down, skip and do pretty much full pandora functionality from the deck.

[gixxerboy63]

That's awesome! I wish mine had Bluetooth...

[eightynine535]

I went with an Alpine. Has bluetooth connectability for phone calls and streaming audio. It even controlls pandora from the headunit (skip track), or when I use my phones media player it does everything. I have an android phone, but they make a version specifically for an i-phone that will thumbs up/down, skip and do pretty much full pandora functionality from the deck.

Bluetooth streaming FTW!

[staystackin]

Alpine cde123, cheap, excellent, rear/front USB, only downside is the blue color rather than orange

[Stereoinstaller1]

Can't speak for the unit, except to say this is my idea of connectivity:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_41417_Oxygen-Audio-oCar.html

[abgrant]

I have an Alpina CDA 9887 with Sat and full iPhone/iPod control.
I love it so much, I put one in both cars.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/Smokiemon968/BMW%20Touring/fc623271.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/Smokiemon968/89%20BMW%20635CSI/c579eac9.jpg

My radio is a similar model to this, I have the alpine CDA-9884 and it sounds very well in my car as well.

[kniggit]

Upgraded the sounds on the old girl. DICE unit shite itself so couldn't get any sound from my Tablet. Was going to get one of those AUX kits for the CD43 but I rather fancied having Bluetooth as well. Whilst perusing the Car Audio display walls I noticed one that was in Demo mode and it was changing colours then BOOM, it changed into the exact match for the BMW amber. So after looking at it further, it checked all the boxes I wanted. Parrot BT with dedicated mic, Rear AUX in, USB (Rear also, so no dangling cables everywhere) for charging iPhone etc and one nice surprise, the ability to output 3-Way crossovers so it's perfect for the standard speakers.

The unit is a Kenwood KDC-X8019BT. I think you'll agree its not too OTT for the E34, doesn't make the dash look like the space shuttle cockpit and the amber is an exact match!

http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/MarkS895/IMG_0606_zps504edbf7.jpg

http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/MarkS895/IMG_0621_zpsb30a1836.jpg

The sound is infinitely better now, chalk and cheese. The Kenwood has heaps of Audio settings, bit overwhelming at first however after you've spent half an hour setting it up to suit your ears, it's sensational. The front 3-ways sound especially good.

Edit: That model is the Australian model, the USA equivalent is the KDC-BT952HD which has even more features than ours.

Cheers.

[cddallara]

Where does that aux wire connect to come from behind the unit? I cant see how it gets into the cabin with you, do you have it mounted?


It has a cable that plugs in where the cd changer would. I rarely listen to the iPod in the car (dont have one anymore) so it took me a while to connect it. I have that wooden cubby/cupholder thing at the front of my center console, so I drilled 1/4" hole in the front corner of the "wooden" trans cover and fished the wire up. It hangs out right at the cubby, can't see the hole.