Replacement head unit for 97 Z3

Matkat

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Nov 10, 2020
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Recommendations for a replace plug and play head unit for my 97 Z3. The OE unit is very tired. Have the cd stacker in the boot. Ideally a unit which is iPhone compatible for music. Thanks 🤪
 

Althulas

Zorg Guru (V)
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British Zeds
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Jun 14, 2014
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North Oxfordshire
Model of Z
M Roadster
There’s a whole host of head units out there. Are you after something in keeping with the looks of the zed? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143374460438 or after a more well known brand and not to fussed on asthatics? Alpine Electronics UTE-200BT Bluetooth Car Radio 1 DIN https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CJKR...c_WDVVB0YFJHSVAS8M6469?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1or do you want some with some more modern mod cons like a small screen and have a reversing camera? https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/jvc...MIid2zt4Xj7wIVjcLtCh2WugI4EAQYDSABEgIVQ_D_BwE

Some food for thought:D but all of those will stream to an iPhone but you will have to do some more reading on them if they play well through a usb cable to lightening cable so you can charge and play.

I run an old Alpine CDA 9887 with the old iPhone connector that plugs into the unit via usb and run and second gen iPod . Interface a bit clunky compared to modern stuff but plays the tunes ok. Will be looking to upgrade somewhere down the line.
 

chadwickked

Regular Member
American Zeds
Joined
Jul 28, 2020
Points
6
Location
Orange County, USA
Model of Z
Z3 Roadster
There’s a whole host of head units out there. Are you after something in keeping with the looks of the zed? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143374460438 or after a more well known brand and not to fussed on asthatics? Alpine Electronics UTE-200BT Bluetooth Car Radio 1 DIN https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CJKR...c_WDVVB0YFJHSVAS8M6469?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1or do you want some with some more modern mod cons like a small screen and have a reversing camera? https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/jvc...MIid2zt4Xj7wIVjcLtCh2WugI4EAQYDSABEgIVQ_D_BwE

Some food for thought:D but all of those will stream to an iPhone but you will have to do some more reading on them if they play well through a usb cable to lightening cable so you can charge and play.

I run an old Alpine CDA 9887 with the old iPhone connector that plugs into the unit via usb and run and second gen iPod . Interface a bit clunky compared to modern stuff but plays the tunes ok. Will be looking to upgrade somewhere down the line.
Will these need an aftermarket amp? Looking to upgrade my standard head unit as well. It would be great if these head units can match the orange-red hue.
 

Althulas

Zorg Guru (V)
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British Zeds
Joined
Jun 14, 2014
Points
178
Location
North Oxfordshire
Model of Z
M Roadster
No they should run fine but you will need a harness to plug into either from Halfords etc if you want it now or a bit cheaper on eBay. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173546646805

You may want to check if you have the amp speaker in the passenger footwell and may need to bypass it if it makes your system sound crap
View: https://youtu.be/J2hWoAt5emE
if you search Z3 speaker amp you should find a few threads explaining why the bypass. You might not have one though and will be just plug and play.
 
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