sampayne21
Member
Registered: 3rd Sep 08
Location: Sidcup Kent Drives: BMW E46
User status: Offline
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Right have 2 options on what headunit to use in my car, after some opinions on what you would do
option 1, keep standard bmw headunit with a 6 cd changer, then add parrot/ipod kit and a line converter for a pre-out for a amp/sub, i just like the way standard headunits match the rest of the car and are better security imo
option 2, change to aftermarket some thing like this http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_720551_langId_-1_categoryId_165474
which will give me better sound quality with two preouts
both will work out to be around the same price around the £200 mark
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Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
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If it's a stereo where you're gonna need a face-plate adaptor to get it to fit right then no, otherwise yes.
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Adam-D
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Registered: 11th May 02
Location: Cheshire
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i would go for the aftermarket headunit.
you will need a facia and loom but will get better sound and wont be as messy as additional kits tagged onto the original headunit.
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Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
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He'll still be running the same speakers. Better sound would be minimal IMO as they're not cheap crap to begin with and usually produced by a major audio manufacturer like Bose, Harmon Kardon, etc. The thing I like about BMW, Audi and the likes with their setups is everything just works how it should. I can turn my stereo up to max everything, no distortion, no messing. Looks crap when you have to use a facia and there's a few inch gap either side too.
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RichR
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Oct 01
Location: Waterhouses, Staffordshire
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be careful with some of the more luxury brands, BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes etc. The CD Changer and Stereo are built into the security and immoboliser system so removing them can cause all kinds of problems. Dad's CD Changer has stopped working, he looked at replacing the whole system with an aftermarket one as Jag wanted a ridiculous price for the change alone - he had it all done by a high end/proffessional ICE installers and he had loads of problems as soon as it was done. In the end they've put the original OE back in and the problems were cured straight away
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RichR
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Oct 01
Location: Waterhouses, Staffordshire
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yours might not do that but worth checking
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Adam-D
Member
Registered: 11th May 02
Location: Cheshire
User status: Offline
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ive only had 1 bmw play up with after market systems, i think it was a fabricated problem.
"i-e the wife seen how much he spent and she went nuts"
had a golf go nuts with a aftermarket system. but these were tested by someone else so i cant veryfy how accurate the problem is/was.
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Adam-D
Member
Registered: 11th May 02
Location: Cheshire
User status: Offline
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its normally french cars with can-bus that go mad, but this can always be sorted with a can-bus loop bypass lead.
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3lfz
Member
Registered: 16th Nov 08
Location: Torquay
User status: Offline
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I'd stick with the standard one if its gonna cause problems, but if not, that headunit is cheaper here:
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpine-cde-103bt.html
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oceansoul
Member
Registered: 19th Jun 06
Location: Sunbury, Surrey
User status: Offline
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the stereo can sometimes also be intergreated with onboard computer (trip computer) etc. Some systems in luxury cars are fitted with 2ohm speakers that are designed for the standard fit equipment. I know that omega elite has bose system fitted and that isnt simple to change.
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sampayne21
Member
Registered: 3rd Sep 08
Location: Sidcup Kent Drives: BMW E46
User status: Offline
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removing the headunit is no problem at all, same with facia and loom i have loads laying around, spose its down to sound quality or looks,
speakers will be upgraded at a later date, there only the basic crappy speakers not the harmon/ karden ones most bmw's come standard
i plan to build a decent system over time so the aftermarket is going to make life easier,
quote:
Originally posted by loafofbrett
. The thing I like about BMW, Audi and the likes with their setups is everything just works how it should. I can turn my stereo up to max everything, no distortion, no messing.
the amplified speakers really do make a difference in these types of cars
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by LiVe LeE
be careful with some of the more luxury brands, BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes etc.
Like most cars you buy now 
Renault aren't a luxury brand are they, I'm sure the corsas do it as well now
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sampayne21
Member
Registered: 3rd Sep 08
Location: Sidcup Kent Drives: BMW E46
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by John
quote:
Originally posted by LiVe LeE
be careful with some of the more luxury brands, BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes etc.
Like most cars you buy now
Renault aren't a luxury brand are they, I'm sure the corsas do it as well now
tbh most new cars are easy as long as you understand lives, earths and can bus wiring
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Anty
Premium Member
Registered: 19th Mar 08
Location: droitwich
User status: Offline
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dnt be a badger...
CHANGE IT !!
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sam-smith
Member
Registered: 8th Jan 07
Location: plymouth, UK
User status: Offline
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i got thgat stereo its good
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