Replacement Audio Head Unit?

[Lemon]

Hi all,

I am after a bit of advice please! I have a 1998 Z3 Japanese Import and the original head unit only picks up Radio 2. I have tried the cigarette lighter FM Transmitter but that whines when accelerating and the whole lighter unit has come free of the facia when I pull it out so nervous to use it.

Can anyone recommend a decently priced replaceMent that has the BMW illumination? I like the Blaupunkt Bremen & Frankfurt but they are a bit pricey?

cheers
Danny

 

[IainP]

If you don’t need a cd, Blaupunkt have about 4 -5 units under £150, depends whether you want dab or not. I’m sure two of them have red illumination, sorry can’t remember the names.

 

[t-tony]

IIRC @Mint has one such unit?

Tony.

 

[Mint]

IIRC @Mint has one such unit?

Tony.

True Tony I did, I went for a Blaupunkt unit with DAB etc but I went for white illumination to match(ish) the brushed ally console.
Very pleased with the unit too

 

[t-tony]

Thank you Dave.

Tony.

 

[Dxbolton]

I have Blaupunkt Valencia with Bluetooth etc. looks great, works great.
I think the display is white letters but buttons illuminate red.

 

[Lemon]

Thanks all

I have found a Sony unit that has variable colours for the buttons and display and voice control and seems a reasonable price. Does it look to futuristic? Do you think it will look out of place with the wood facia?

I think it’s just the ticket but only want to do this once and not regret it!!

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/in-car-receivers-players/mex-n7300bd/specifications#features

 

[Dxbolton]

Here is my Blaupunkt which closely resembles the original. It’s great value for money at around £130

 

[Lemon]

That is very nice…..

 

[Mint]

Here is mine, it's the Nurnberg model...

 

[Lemon]

Yanks Tony

 

[Lemon]

Thanks Tony

 

[Jam03]

Madrid for me. It’s the most basic, non DAB version. Bluetooth streaming and hands free phone operation is excellent. Radio reception not great for some reason but hardly ever use it that way. Charging of phone via usb not very good. Illuminating of buttons matches well. This was about £100.

 

[Dxbolton]

Madrid for me. It’s the most basic, non DAB version. Bluetooth streaming and hands free phone operation is excellent. Radio reception not great for some reason but hardly ever use it that way. Charging of phone via usb not very good. Illuminating of buttons matches well. This was about £100.
View attachment 288371

Did you change the aerial? The earth wire for the radio is attached to the antenna in the boot so unless you reconnect it the radio sign is very poor.
I added a DAB antenna to the front screen.

 

[Jam03]

Did you change the aerial? The earth wire for the radio is attached to the antenna in the boot so unless you reconnect it the radio sign is very poor.
I added a DAB antenna to the front screen.

No, everything is unchanged from my previous head unit. I checked all the bits in the boot when I changed the grommet and all connected as it should be. I’ll take it all out and check again one day.

 

[MichalP]

Hi all, following this and sorry if stupid question. I have the BMW Business RDS with 6 CD changer and considering to replace the unit with Blaupunkt Valencia. When you replaced your head units, did you use wiring adaptor or did the plugs just match? Cheers

 

[Lemon]

I cheated and had my Sony replaced professionally - sorry can’t advise.

 

[Tony Francis]

I had the Valencia in my Zed when I bought it with a separate aerial in the windscreen. It matches well but it would only tune into DAB stations which out in the sticks where I live was not very good! FM would not tune in at all, I think something to do with the way the original radio is wired. I replaced it with an original radio/cassette unit which works perfectly for FM.
So for sale is a perfectly good Valencia unit with cage & wiring adapter!

 

[NZ00Z3]

Some Z3 head units are universal. That is, you can change the region in the radio, so you can pick up your local radio stations.

Do a google search and see what you can find for your head unit.

Here are the instructions for the CD43: https://www.germanaudiotech.com/pag...changing-region-on-bmw-business-cd-radio-cd43

 

[Trevor /chedder]

Did you change the aerial? The earth wire for the radio is attached to the antenna in the boot so unless you reconnect it the radio sign is very poor.
I added a DAB antenna to the front screen.

Hi DX I'm having poorish signal with a replacement antenna, where would I attach the earth, anywhere handy?