Head unit upgrade

[BMWINDY]

I have a 1997 318i and am going to replace original receiver cassette deck with a new mechless Bluetooth head unit. Does this model have an external amp? This vehicle has two speakers on each front door and two on the rear deck. I'm getting mixed information about what this vehicle came with. Where would this external amp be if installed?

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

It doesn't really matter if the car originally came with an OEM amp. The new head unit you buy will have amplification on board so you can, ideally, put in upgraded speakers in the car and run them off the new head unit. That's what I'd do and recommend. If you want to try and connect the new head unit to the oem amp if it does have one, it's all a waste of time as the oem amp is perhaps less powerful than the one in the new head unit along with it's a real faff to actually wire it up to work if at all and correctly. You'd be much better off using that energy and potential expense into buying upgraded speakers as I mention.

Cheers, Dennis!

[BMWINDY]

Can anyone recommend the Continental TR7412UB-OR seen here; http://www.egauges.com/product-p/tr7412ub-or.htm

This unit is the best match appearance wise.

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

The display on that contental is a more 'yellow' and further away from the 'orange' red found in BMW's. Take a look at the older Clarion range of single DIN's for instance.

Cheers, Dennis!

[marcva]

Many units have configurable colors. Kenwood and jvc can be configured to match fine. They may not have the boxy look of a 20 year old stereo, but they'll offer bluetooth, hd radio and other benefits. Well worth a little aesthetic compromise imo. crutchfield has a decent selection.