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Thread: Radio Recommendation for 1997 318i

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
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    1997 BMW 318i

    Radio Recommendation for 1997 318i

    I just got a 97 318i and the stereo does not turn on, I have checked the wiring and fuses. Seems to be getting 12 volts at the wire harness, But radio does not want to turn on. Not sure if there is anythign I can do to check other items with it to get it working. The anti-theft light flashes when car is off and key pulled.

    I do like the look of the radio that seems to look nice in the dash. I am thinking of just getting a new head unit, but I want soemthing that looks nice in the dash, that fits in. Like the display, I would like it to have the same color as the climate controls and look. But I also want something that can use the existing harness with an adapter and utilize the existing speakers and amp for the meantime.

    Any recommendations?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
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    North Carolina
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    03 525it/5, 1967 GTO
    IMHO - if you drive the car regularly, go with a more modern Bluetooth enabled head unit. I'm usually a stickler for OE looks but wanted the convenience of hands free phone and BT connectivity. It's cheaper and better integrated to get this in the aftermarket than to try to cobble together add ons to a BMW cd43 or similar OE unit. I bought a used Alpine BT149 and wired it in with a $7 metra harness. Sounds great and looks reasonably decent too. The orange lighting is a close match for the dash lighting and the blue LCD screen while not "OEMish" has good clarity in sunlight. Kenwood and pioneer have some decent options in this price point too. They also have preamp outputs in case you want to add an aftermarket amp and speakers in the future.

  3. #3
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    Sep 2017
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    Quote Originally Posted by Twistytee View Post
    IMHO - if you drive the car regularly, go with a more modern Bluetooth enabled head unit. I'm usually a stickler for OE looks but wanted the convenience of hands free phone and BT connectivity. It's cheaper and better integrated to get this in the aftermarket than to try to cobble together add ons to a BMW cd43 or similar OE unit. I bought a used Alpine BT149 and wired it in with a $7 metra harness. Sounds great and looks reasonably decent too. The orange lighting is a close match for the dash lighting and the blue LCD screen while not "OEMish" has good clarity in sunlight. Kenwood and pioneer have some decent options in this price point too. They also have preamp outputs in case you want to add an aftermarket amp and speakers in the future.

    Thanks for the feedback, I will check that line out. Always liked the Alpine brand. Been around for years!!!

    I may pull radio out of my truck and test everything first to be sure speakers are all good and stuff.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
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    Boulder, Colorado
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    142
    My Cars
    Datsun 1976 280z
    There was a sony unit that used the exact same font and color but it is a very expensive head unit on of their premium tier units. It was a fairly recently made one too but the model number escapes me. As far was wiring goes, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out and any unit off the shelf works. Just gotta replace the stock shitty HK amp with something aftermarket and you're in business.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2017
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    NJ
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    My Cars
    '13 328i / '95 325i Vert
    I have been looking for the same as you, also going back and fourth between a modded C43 and CD43..
    Starting to think they are not worth it even though I love LOVE the OEM Looks.

    Here are two alternatives that look great in an E36 :

    Pioneer DEH-80PRS
    HtRA5l5.jpg

    Alpine CDE-164BT
    cUCVctK.jpg

    The Alpine looks right at home the only issue is the white / blueish LCD but people have opened up the faceplates and added an amber defuser
    which makes it look perfect.. Modded Apline w/amber difuser - https://www.talkstuff.net/ipb/index....-colour-paint/

    One of the above I think are going to be going in my E36 soon, Let us know what you choose!
    Last edited by QUiKSR20; 03-17-2018 at 03:04 AM.
    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]

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    That's not a 164BT in the photo. The Alpine 163BT and 164BT both have LCDs that change color, just like the buttons.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QprxlWGtiFU
    97 Estoril/Black M3/4/5

    "Although we've experienced an M3 sedan with an automatic, our test car came fitted as God intended, with a 5-speed manual ..."
    Road & Track May 1997, testing the M3 Sedan

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Adairsville GA
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    1994 BMW 325is
    Mine has a Pioneer DEH-X6500BT Mixtrax unit. It is Bluetooth with hands free capability and the LED color can be changed to red. I'm not sure about what wiring adapter was used as it was in the car when I got it.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2017
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    '13 328i / '95 325i Vert
    Quote Originally Posted by M3 Pete View Post
    That's not a 164BT in the photo. The Alpine 163BT and 164BT both have LCDs that change color, just like the buttons.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QprxlWGtiFU
    My Apologies you are correct I meant "CDE-HD149BT " the higher model.
    https://alpine-usa.com/product/view/cde-hd149bt
    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]

  9. #9
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    Sep 2017
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    Brentwood, ca
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    1997 BMW 318i
    I ended up getting a Kenwood that the colors change to match the colors of the dash and the look seems to blend well with everything. I will get a picture tomorrow showing what it looks like.

    Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
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    Quote Originally Posted by QUiKSR20 View Post
    My Apologies you are correct I meant "CDE-HD149BT " the higher model.
    https://alpine-usa.com/product/view/cde-hd149bt
    If you are trying for the the stock look, the 163BT and 164BT have skinny pixelated letters that look more like the E36 controls. I'm sure the 149BT is a nice unit though.

    g500CDE164B-F.jpg g500CDE163B-F.jpg g500HD149BT-f.jpg
    97 Estoril/Black M3/4/5

    "Although we've experienced an M3 sedan with an automatic, our test car came fitted as God intended, with a 5-speed manual ..."
    Road & Track May 1997, testing the M3 Sedan

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
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    Brentwood, ca
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    1997 BMW 318i
    Hard to get the lighting to really show how close the orange matches, but it is really close and the display of characters matches so good too. Model number is Kenwood KDC-BT368U

    I also love the big volume knob on the radio.

    Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Portland, OR
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    328i,740i,e36 m3 x2,e46
    The euro market Clarion Fz102e is the best match I have seen for an e36. I have this in one of my cars, the other two have c43 with aux added. Can't get a better match than the original stereo.

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2017
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    NJ
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    '13 328i / '95 325i Vert
    Ill keep you guys posted if anyone interested in my install, It wont be until the spring but in my goal to keep it as OEM looking ( Within Reason ) im going to do the following :

    Alpine CDE-HD149BT w/ Modded Screen


    ZBq6FTm.jpg

    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

    CAM00078.jpg

    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; 03-26-2018 at 03:28 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]

  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    NJ
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    My Cars
    '13 328i / '95 325i Vert
    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 ( was trying to keep it as clean and minimal which is hard these days ).

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

    IMG_9923.jpgIMG_9924.jpgIMG_9925.JPG

    I have tons of extra LCD Film left if anyone needs any it would be like $5 shipped, I had to buy in bulk..
    Last edited by QUiKSR20; 03-26-2018 at 03:31 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]

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