It's not an E36, but here's my modified Continental head unit in my E30 touring. I swapped the amber LEDs for the display and buttons to 605 nm (dominant) LEDs, and adjusted the ballast resistors to compensate for the decrease in brightness of orange LEDs.
Also inverted the LCD display. Purchased a 90 degree polarizer on ebay, pealed off the original top polarizer, and put the new one on rotated, 90 degrees.
Sorry for the washed out pic, just finished this morning, so no chance for a night shot yet either. Next step is to plasti-dip the volume knob to get rid of the chrome. Also maybe lower the brightness on my OBC display, it's really too bright with the LEDs and resistors I used in it.
Here is a before pic from someone else, but it shows how amber it looked, and the non inverted display.
Last edited by earthwormjim; 09-29-2017 at 02:15 PM.
Nice work.
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Looks fantastic! I had this unit for a minute. Bluetooth actually worked great in it too, one of the more reliable connections i've ever had actually.
You should try using a magic eraser or a perhaps a solution (diluted acetone?) to remove the unnecessary Conti logo and part number in the top corners to make it even more factory looking.
I did the same thing with an Alpine headunit years ago. E38 LED's and Plastidip/paint the chrome. It held up ok but started to show wear after 2-3 years. Will dig up pics.
'99 Estoril Blue + Dove Grey ///M3 coupe
'04 Jet Black + Cinnamon ///M3 coupe
Ended up not using plastidip on the knob. Instead used 400 grit sand paper to rough up the chrome, then used VHT vinyl spray paint/dye. Feels pretty durable, I've used that stuff on an arm rest before, and it held up for a decade.
The bluetooth on this is great, connects almost instantly. My JVC from earlier in this thread can sometimes take 3-5 minutes to find my phone. I think I'll buy another one of these, and put it in my M3.
Only two downsides to this Continental radio, no USB charging, and no display info for bluetooth, just always says A2DP instead of song titles etc...
Last edited by earthwormjim; 10-03-2017 at 04:18 PM.
WOW! Nice!
So the best drop in headunit for the E36 is the CD43?
I was thinking about picking up a C43 since the car I have has the 6 disk in the trunk.
was just looking at these head units on ECS's website.. might have to pick on up.. i like the bluetooth features now, my old head unit wont do that, and it doesnt have a USB either, so you can tell how old mine is.. (15yrs +)
98 Estoril ///M3 4/6
S54 swap CSL
Or the as mentioned BE2450/2455.
- - - Updated - - -
Also depends highly on the rest of the setup. The CD43 in my 328i with basic 6-speakers/no amp sounds like crap.
Put the same unit in my H/K equipped M3 and it sounds a million times better.
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
while we are on the subject... what about speakers? i dont have a HK system or Hi-fi system.. mines like standard as hell.. need new front speakers... what is decent.. and what size can i use?
98 Estoril ///M3 4/6
S54 swap CSL
I wonder of this VDO unit is essentially the same as the continental
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vdo-part...d7416u-or~con/
TRM Coilovers 670F/895R | BBS LM | Corsa RSC36
VDO is a subsidy of Continental. Continental sells the same radios under both brand names.
I prefer the non CD player version of the VDO/Continental head units, they're very short, so you have a ton of room for wiring in the back. I remember my E36 radio install felt quite cramped.
Honestly, the head unit is probably the least important aspect. Good sounding line-level op amps are extremely cheap now days. What really matters is the power amp you use to drive your speakers, and the speakers themselves.
Last edited by earthwormjim; 10-13-2017 at 04:42 PM.
has anyone relocated the OBC to the glove box to make room for a double din? i may go that route on my 4 door. or i may just ditch the obc as i've never really used it anyway.
I've seen OBC's relocated to the center console.
Or as mentioned, like so:
IMG_4772.JPG
or in front of gearstick
1k0.jpg
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Decided to go with the pioneer 8201. Will post pics when its done
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hi,
You can check here to find what you want.
https://www.seicane.com/android-car-...car-dvd-gps-23
Last edited by lisaliyan; 11-02-2017 at 06:25 AM.
See the Professional RDS unit hasn't been posted in here yet.
Unit
Station selected and stations in reach at bottom row (dual FM tuner mode)
Or normal FM mode
Sound settings all in 1 screen
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
^ Sexy! Never seen one like this in the States - thanks for sharing!
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Bookmarks