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Thread: Best head unit on E36?

  1. #151
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    Quote Originally Posted by M52 POWER! View Post
    Do you know if there's any aftermarket way to add bluetooth phone and music functionality to this? How about steering wheel controls via k-line like in some of the E39 control retrofits?
    I have all that, except BlueTooth, which I don’t need, but can add in a heartbeat if needed.

    There are so many interfaces you can use. I use a Dension GW300 myself.

    Only shame is this unit does not support ID3/CD-text.

    Keep in mind this unit has no regional setting like the CD43, so not sure if everythings work in the USA.

    Your biggest challenge will be finding one though.

    ps K-line is for diagnostics. MFL control uses iBus.
    Last edited by MParallel; 11-06-2017 at 05:00 PM.
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  2. #152
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    Hmm...no one recommends the Becker TrafficPro or Indianapolis?

  3. #153
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    Quote Originally Posted by found2secure View Post
    Hmm...no one recommends the Becker TrafficPro or Indianapolis?
    That’s been mentioned. See all pages.
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  4. #154
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    In my opinion, what constitutes the best unit for the E36 really depends on what your ultimate goal is. Do you want to maintain the stock look? Do you want the technology and convenience offered by modern head units? Do you want great sound quality? Or all of the above?

    While the head units offered by BMW better match the rest of the dashboard, none of them is comparable to the high-end SQ head units in terms of sound quality. BMW simply cut too much corners in designing the E36's sound system. Everything from the head unit to the speaker placement seems like an afterthought.

    If you're after sound quality, at the minimum start with a quality Alpine or Kenwood eXcelon head unit from the mid 1990s and run it with decent speakers and amps. Both Alpine and Kenwood made great looking decks that suit the E36 dashboard very well. Don't even consider $100-$200 decks on the market nowadays. They look good but lack the sound/built quality of many older head units. A good Alpine deck such as a 7939 or 7949, when paired up with a relative inexpensive Alpine PDX amp, can transform your sound system into a mini concert hall if you upgrade the speakers to something nice (i.e. Alpine SPX line speakers).

    To get even better results with your head unit, experiment with near audiophile level speakers from companies Rainbow and Focal; and look into more powerful amps and sound processors.

    If you want to hang with the audiophiles, the best head units are the McIntosh MX5000 combo, Denon DCT-1, Nakamichi CD700, and Alpine 7990. No BMW head units can ever touch them in terms of performance, clarity, and rarity. The down side is is that these head units are no longer produced, hard to find, and cost a lot (generally from $1k-$2k plus if you can find one).

    Here are some pictures of the audio setup in my M3. For a while, I ran an Alpine 7558 (and an Alpine 7996) head unit, ERA-G320 sound field processor, Alpine SPX speakers and PDX five-channel amp.

    I eventually upgraded to my current setup, featuring a black faced Denon DCT-1 head unit, which was Denon's top-of-the-line head unit back in the days and very few were produced. Even fewer, around 12 or so were brought into the United States. It's hooked up to a pair of Brax MX4 amps, Brax Matrix three-way active front speakers, Brax Matrix subwoofer, and Helix DSP Pro processor controlled by Helix DIRECTOR remote and monitored by a Brax Multicontroller unit. I also have a back up silver faced DCT-1, which I think looks even better than the black faced unit. Unfortunately, the silver color does not go very well with the E36 interior. I listen to mostly CDs in my car but in case I need to start streaming music from my phone, I can always get a blue tooth module for my setup.

















    Jon
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  5. #155
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    Damn. That Alpine equalizer just brought me waaaaay back.

  6. #156
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    Denon makes nice stuff. Have a Denon sound system in my shop and it sounds amazing and the bass hits HARD.

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

  7. #157
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    Quote Originally Posted by NeilM View Post
    Yeah, and that's the problem: tons of products, many with tech specs apparently first machine translated from the original Chinese into Romulan, and then to English.

    I was more hoping for some BTDT experiences.

    Failing that, and since it was pretty cheap, I took a flyer and ordered one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-Mu...1Yqm0F&vxp=mtr

    Neil
    How did this one work out Neil?

  8. #158
    NeilM is offline Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    Quote Originally Posted by knickfan5745 View Post
    How did this one work out Neil?
    Wish I had an answer, but the car went into winter storage before I was able to get to it, so this has become a spring 2018 project.

    Neil

  9. #159
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    Quote Originally Posted by NeilM View Post
    Wish I had an answer, but the car went into winter storage before I was able to get to it, so this has become a spring 2018 project.

    Neil
    Shucks. I guess Indiana winters start early. The feedback on that item looks good so I might just go for it....


    https://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...?ViewFeedback2

  10. #160
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    Hi guys. I'm thinking to buy Clarion FZ102E but I have one question. Is there way to control the player from Multifuncional Steering Wheel (I-Bus)?

  11. #161
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    Fz102e

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  12. #162
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    Baby ///M3 I agree with you!!, Im running an older Alpine 9815 in my older Nissan.. Not much today comes close
    to the quality of these older decks.. I use to run an Eclipse 5303r before that before it bit the dust but have always
    loved Alpine decks and thought they felt right at home in BMW's.

    For the E36 if you go Modern this is my plan :

    Ill keep you guys posted if anyone interested in my install, It wont be until the summer but in my goal to keep it as OEM looking ( Within Reason ) im going to do the following :

    Alpine CDE-HD149BT w/ Modded Screen


    Attachment 617432

    DIY - https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...to-amber/page2

    And then something I found in another thread, Replace the Alpine Trim ring with a modified Metra 89-40-0500 ISO DIN Trim Ring which is matte and matches the console nicely.

    Modded Trim Ring ( Metra 89-40-0500 ) Amazon Link

    Attachment 617433

    DIY - https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-Audio-Upgrade

    *** Little Disclaimer - Both of these ideas were from forum members, Im just putting it in one spot for others to enjoy like I did.
    Last edited by QUiKSR20; 01-14-2018 at 11:34 PM.
    13 F30 328i Sport 6MT
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  13. #163
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    Quote Originally Posted by MtekJosh View Post
    Fz102e

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
    +1 this. The only aftermarket head unit for the E36

    Sent from my HTC 2PZC100 using Tapatalk

  14. #164
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    Quote Originally Posted by soco3594 View Post
    +1 this. The only aftermarket head unit for the E36
    The only issue with that is while that radio matches phenominally, Its not a high quality deck ( 1 set of low voltage pre-outs & its a european model ) at that point you
    maybe just as good with a modded CD43 or C43... I do love the way it looks all matte, Make a higher end model of that and im sold.
    13 F30 328i Sport 6MT
    95 E36 325i Vert 5MT
    92 Sentra SE-R SR20DET DET Build Thread
    08 E90 328i Sport [sold]
    89 E30 325is [sold & missed]

  15. #165
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    QUiKSR20:

    That looks like a very promising setup! Alpine would be my only choice of brand for modern head units. Please share some pictures once you have it done.

    I used to run an Alpine DVA-7996, which was probably made during the same time as your 9815. It's a shame that they don't make head units like this anymore.

    Jon

  16. #166
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    Quote Originally Posted by QUiKSR20 View Post
    The only issue with that is while that radio matches phenominally, Its not a high quality deck ( 1 set of low voltage pre-outs & its a european model ) at that point you
    maybe just as good with a modded CD43 or C43... I do love the way it looks all matte, Make a higher end model of that and im sold.
    Yeah fair point. I am having some voltage stability issues with mine too caused by my xenon headlights (the head unit flickers ever so slightly when the headlights are on), but otherwise I'm stoked with it. It looks closer to OEM than any other head unit available and it has AUX capability

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  17. #167
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    Quote Originally Posted by Baby ///M3 View Post
    QUiKSR20:

    That looks like a very promising setup! Alpine would be my only choice of brand for modern head units. Please share some pictures once you have it done.

    I used to run an Alpine DVA-7996, which was probably made during the same time as your 9815. It's a shame that they don't make head units like this anymore.

    Jon
    I agree they def dont make em like they use too anymore.. I will sure to share pics when I do the install, Realistically it probably will not be until the spring.
    But hoping it will turn out pretty good as the deck is not gaudy flashy like most of current ones.

    Quote Originally Posted by soco3594 View Post
    Yeah fair point. I am having some voltage stability issues with mine too caused by my xenon headlights (the head unit flickers ever so slightly when the headlights are on),
    but otherwise I'm stoked with it. It looks closer to OEM than any other head unit available and it has AUX capability
    Good luck fixing the voltage issue and I agree 100% that deck has the look down pat, I wish more decks looked like that w/matte black vs the shiny bs.. It looks OEM like it came right from BMW
    Last edited by QUiKSR20; 01-15-2018 at 04:25 PM.
    13 F30 328i Sport 6MT
    95 E36 325i Vert 5MT
    92 Sentra SE-R SR20DET DET Build Thread
    08 E90 328i Sport [sold]
    89 E30 325is [sold & missed]

  18. #168
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    RRSperry is offline Senior Moment Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    Just a quick question. Where do you find the orange and red films to change the colors? I went to Michel’s, no luck.
    Last edited by RRSperry; 01-21-2018 at 07:08 PM.
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  19. #169
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    Still looking to buy a HU. Looking at the the Alpine HD-149BT described above and a kenwood kdc-x702. Alpine has better CD, kenwood has better radio sensitivity and is 4 years newer.

  20. #170
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    Quote Originally Posted by RRSperry View Post
    Just st a quick question. Where do you fing the orange and red films to change the colors? I went to Michel’s, no luck.
    There is alot of these films on Amazon, I didnt do mine yet but when I do I will let you know where I buy it....
    13 F30 328i Sport 6MT
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  21. #171
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    Quote Originally Posted by QUiKSR20 View Post
    The only issue with that is while that radio matches phenominally, Its not a high quality deck ( 1 set of low voltage pre-outs & its a european model ) at that point you
    maybe just as good with a modded CD43 or C43... I do love the way it looks all matte, Make a higher end model of that and im sold.
    I totally agree. My other 2 e36s both have c43 head units and I prefer them over the fz102e when they have aux added. But I had this fz102e laying around and a car that had no head unit at all lol

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    ^ that is quite a keychain.

  23. #173
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    Quote Originally Posted by MtekJosh View Post
    I totally agree. My other 2 e36s both have c43 head units and I prefer them over the fz102e when they have aux added. But I had this fz102e laying around and a car that had no head unit at all lol
    If I didnt know I would think its OEM Def looks great in there no question.
    Last edited by QUiKSR20; 02-01-2018 at 09:35 AM.
    13 F30 328i Sport 6MT
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    92 Sentra SE-R SR20DET DET Build Thread
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  24. #174
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    Just finished my install and even took it a step further, Besides modding the LCD ( EASY ) to be amber I also
    painted over the illumination panel in the face to cover these extra lines that were of no use.

    Alpine CDE-HD149BT w/ Modded Screen

    Before -( first was just a pic with the LCD Modded ) This is someone else's pic I also removed the gaudy lines. This is a solid setup for the E36

    Attachment 617432

    Check out my two pics compared to the ones above, This is a really high quality deck that can match the E36 very well.

    Attachment 624877Attachment 624878Attachment 624880

    I have tons of extra LCD Flim left if anyone needs any it would be like $5 shipped, I had to buy in bulk..

    Just gotta add the customer trim ring and ill be happy I didnt overpay for a CD43
    Last edited by QUiKSR20; 03-20-2018 at 10:09 PM.
    13 F30 328i Sport 6MT
    95 E36 325i Vert 5MT
    92 Sentra SE-R SR20DET DET Build Thread
    08 E90 328i Sport [sold]
    89 E30 325is [sold & missed]

  25. #175
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    RRSperry is offline Senior Moment Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    I've got the same deck, and would like some film. PM me your Paypal addy, and I'll gift you the $5er..
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