Clarion FZ502e Mechless headunit installed

[DivideBYZero]

Today I replaced the OEM Business RDS & Harman Kardon setup. Plan was to keep the HK Amp, while updating the car to have Bluetooth phone and music streaming. I chose the Clarion FZ502e head unit for six main reasons:

• Built in microphone - In a convertible, a mic by the windscreen is not going to work
• Parrot Bluetooth - I've used these before in dedicated units and work well
• Streaming Bluetooth for music (A2DP) - Essential today, IMHO
• USB playback - put anything on a USB stick and play it. I got a SanDisk Skip, mini USB unit, invisible in use.
• iPod/iPhone direct use via the USB port, if needed
• Pre-outs for an amp

Obviously, some prefer the OEM look, and normally I'm that way too, but the Business RDS unit with a tape deck wasn't cutting it, either with regard to sound quality or features. In place, I actually really like the unit, as the central circular control mimics the other round features of the Z3 interior, and the unit doesn't have myriad coloured buttons or flashing lights, very muted, with a feint blue tint to the text and the blue ring around the control itself.

Requirements to install, over and above what shipped with the unit, were:

• Autoleads PC9-405 harness adapter
• Aerial adapter, BMW to Fakra/ISO

The wiring is a little tighter than before, but luckily there is a fair amount of space back there.

Requisite pics attached.

 

[GazHyde]

I might look at changing my Sony head unit as it looks like the Blackpool illuminations at night and is too bright. That looks much more in keeping as you say with the round dial.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Headunit was a bargain, too. Only £125 from here;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLARION-F...0?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item51b507707c

 

[Paulro]

Today I replaced the OEM Business RDS & Harman Kardon setup. Plan was to keep the HK Amp, while updating the car to have Bluetooth phone and music streaming. I chose the Clarion FZ502e head unit for six main reasons:

• Built in microphone - In a convertible, a mic by the windscreen is not going to work
• Parrot Bluetooth - I've used these before in dedicated units and work well
• Streaming Bluetooth for music (A2DP) - Essential today, IMHO
• USB playback - put anything on a USB stick and play it. I got a SanDisk Skip, mini USB unit, invisible in use.
• iPod/iPhone direct use via the USB port, if needed
• Pre-outs for an amp

Obviously, some prefer the OEM look, and normally I'm that way too, but the Business RDS unit with a tape deck wasn't cutting it, either with regard to sound quality or features. In place, I actually really like the unit, as the central circular control mimics the other round features of the Z3 interior, and the unit doesn't have myriad coloured buttons or flashing lights, very muted, with a feint blue tint to the text and the blue ring around the control itself.

Requirements to install, over and above what shipped with the unit, were:

• Autoleads PC9-405 harness adapter
• Aerial adapter, BMW to Fakra/ISO

The wiring is a little tighter than before, but luckily there is a fair amount of space back there.

Requisite pics attached.



View attachment 4108 View attachment 4109 View attachment 4110

Is there a radio with this unit? It seems easy to use whereas some of the very new units are quite complicated.

 

[DavidM]

Very nice and blends well with the rest of the dials.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Is there a radio with this unit? It seems easy to use whereas some of the very new units are quite complicated.

Yes, it has FM radio. I don't know if they now do this model with DAB, but I use Spotify almost exclusively so I'm not too bothered.

It's mostly easy to use. Some of the phone functions could be easier, such as last redial for more than the last number, but that's the price for a single dial/button combo.

 

[Nodzed]

Is there a radio with this unit? It seems easy to use whereas some of the very new units are quite complicated.

Agree mine is a total nightmare to operate, once I find out how to do something I forget the next time (age) and way too bright at night even on full dim

 

[Paulro]

Yes, it has FM radio. I don't know if they now do this model with DAB, but I use Spotify almost exclusively so I'm not too bothered.

It's mostly easy to use. Some of the phone functions could be easier, such as last redial for more than the last number, but that's the price for a single dial/button combo.

Thanks for your help with this.
I ordered one@£115.
When I looked at other models they light up like spaceships and to be honest, I'm getting beyond that.
I'm looking forward to fitting it. Was that part ok?

 

[Paulro]

Today I replaced the OEM Business RDS & Harman Kardon setup. Plan was to keep the HK Amp, while updating the car to have Bluetooth phone and music streaming. I chose the Clarion FZ502e head unit for six main reasons:

• Built in microphone - In a convertible, a mic by the windscreen is not going to work
• Parrot Bluetooth - I've used these before in dedicated units and work well
• Streaming Bluetooth for music (A2DP) - Essential today, IMHO
• USB playback - put anything on a USB stick and play it. I got a SanDisk Skip, mini USB unit, invisible in use.
• iPod/iPhone direct use via the USB port, if needed
• Pre-outs for an amp

Obviously, some prefer the OEM look, and normally I'm that way too, but the Business RDS unit with a tape deck wasn't cutting it, either with regard to sound quality or features. In place, I actually really like the unit, as the central circular control mimics the other round features of the Z3 interior, and the unit doesn't have myriad coloured buttons or flashing lights, very muted, with a feint blue tint to the text and the blue ring around the control itself.

Requirements to install, over and above what shipped with the unit, were:

• Autoleads PC9-405 harness adapter
• Aerial adapter, BMW to Fakra/ISO

The wiring is a little tighter than before, but luckily there is a fair amount of space back there.

Requisite pics attached.



View attachment 4108 View attachment 4109 View attachment 4110

I've got the unit but car in Portugal so will join the two together next week. Will I need a soldering iron?
Or is there something that could be done before I go?

 

[DivideBYZero]

So late on this, hope you got it installed.