Changing Head Unit

[Joolz]

Hi All,

I am going to change the head unit from the old BMW Business tape player in my 2.8. I love the noise the car makes so don't use the stereo that often but for when I do, the sound quality is the worse I have ever experienced, so it's time for a change.

I am not going to spend a huge amount on a new head unit, here are a couple in Halfrauds that seem reasonable and they also sell the wiring adaptor plug. I am thinking of a "mech less" head unit to hook my ipod up to.

I have a couple of questions:

1) Will changing the head unit increase sound quality significantly or slightly?
2) Having not looked at the back of one of the mech less units, do they generally have inputs to hook up the CD multi changer that is in the boot or will that automatically hook up when I plug the new unit in with the wiring adaptor? Or will the CD changer become redundant?
3) Should changing the head unit not significantly improve sound quality and I therefore will need to change speakers, what sizes will fit straight in to replace OEM speakers without cutting anything?
4) Is changing the head unit likely to improve radio reception as the current system again is awful?

Thanks all,

Joolz

 

[Rudyrov]

I put a Pioneer HU in my car and it runs through the HK amplifiers, the sound did improve significantly. However, I will soon delete the HK amps and run either aftermarket amps or just head unit power to the speakers. The HK system amps are poorly done and I am not happy with them.
The standard BMW cd changer will most likely only work with BMW radios, although most of these units are made by famous makers (Alps/Alpine and perhaps others) they don't wire up to an alpine unit just like that. An electronics guy with lots of time might be able to make it work, but you wont in the comfort of your garage.
My speakers in this car have begun to fail so I have been replacing them as I go. Over time the speakers begin to fail and fall apart.
My radio reception is still very good in the US. The standard BMW antenna has a line amp to boost signal and it works well.

Cheers

 

[zedonist]

This might give you some inspiration:

https://zroadster.org/threads/zedonist-z3-audio-setup.5334/#post-63571

 

[GazHyde]

Even on stock speakers just changing the head unit improves the sound quality by a vast amount. I went with a SONY MEX BT800U unit so I can stream music via Bluetooth.

I created a basic guide on changing the head unit if it's of any use.

https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-radio-head-unit-removal-and-replacement.70/

 

[badman gee]

It's about the noise from the engine not the stereo!

 

[TaffZee]

Damn noisy thing, turn it off, or better still rip it out and use the space in the dash for something usefull (answers on a postcard please).

 

[badman gee]

The m engine sounds great, unique!

 

[zedonist]

How would you know BMG, you never fire it up, may as well have an M44, at least you used to drive that!

 

[hard top]

It's about the noise from the engine not the stereo!

If sitting next to Bad Boy in any car, it would probably be about the sound of the wind.

 

[badman gee]

You chaps are great. Come on mike lets skype

 

[hard top]

Damn noisy thing, turn it off, or better still rip it out and use the space in the dash for something usefull (answers on a postcard please).

A panoramic photo of Bad Boy.

 

[badman gee]

This forum has something that no others do!

Laughter and good friends.

 

[badman gee]

This forum has something that no others do!

Laughter and good friends.

I always have a good laugh at mikes creased bonnet!

 

[oldcarman]

Then for sure I'll have to put one of my broken nose on to keep you in such a good mood. JIM

 

[zedonist]

Just one of your car Jim would suffice, have you really got a zed?

 

[oldcarman]

Z- stopped raining finally so if I can figure out how to put pics up I'll try to set something up if I stop the car long enough somewhere. And yes Gaz I know you put instructions on here,now I'll try to figure out how to work it on my phone. JIM

 

[t-tony]

Phones Jim? I thought you were still on pigeon post