Does the e46 business CD deck fit in our e30s?

[Grant]

I am looking into buying one but am not sure if they will properly fit. Anyone know?

[bimmerphile]

make sure that the security isn't ECU-dependant.

[Bryson]

it's not even the same shape IIRC

it uses different connections, including the antenna cable
does the e46 use fiberoptic? or is that only the new bimmers..

e36 will fit tho, but still has different connections

[MR 325]

Sounds like more trouble than it's worth. If you're going to ditch a stock radio, don't put in another stock radio.

[Grant]

Well, I actually bid on it already on ebay, so I'm just waiting it out to find out if I'm gonna win it. Unfortunately I assumed somehow it would fit, but now I'm having ideas of fabrication to make it fit. It may actually look cool, but we'll see. I like stock because it looks flush and it has amber lighting. Not to mention it's BMW.

[royalflush313]

Well, I actually bid on it already on ebay, so I'm just waiting it out to find out if I'm gonna win it. Unfortunately I assumed somehow it would fit, but now I'm having ideas of fabrication to make it fit. It may actually look cool, but we'll see. I like stock because it looks flush and it has amber lighting. Not to mention it's BMW.

then go with the E36 cd player, and forget about the E46.

I would imagine that the face of the E46 CD Player would be much too wide. If you like the stock look, then E46 is not it. Hope that you lose that auction, and bid for an E36 one.

[KenC]

Not to mention it's BMW.

How much are you bidding on this thing? And what makes you think that BMWs factory decks are even half-decent?

[Grant]

$200, and its an Alpine, so I know its at least half decent. I wouldn't mind losing the auction, but if i win i just want to make the best of the situation and maybe try something new.

[KenC]

$200, and its an Alpine, so I know its at least half decent. I wouldn't mind losing the auction, but if i win i just want to make the best of the situation and maybe try something new.

You're considering dropping 200 bones on a low-end Alpine that BMW probably paid $20 for?

Spend it on a Nakamichi unit that will look factory and have 100x better sound quality.

[bimmerphile]

hahahah man you are rediculous.


it does come with the security information, right?

[bimmerphile]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3293&item=5736769333&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

fabricate the front all you want, but if the deck is too long are you going to punch a hole in your firewall? the E46 dash is convex in that area where ours is flat, too.

and if that is indeed the auction you're winning, man, check with the guy about getting the deck re-activated. make sure you can do it.

[Grant]

Yah it came with a code. Better news though. After I explained the situation he canceled my bid....thankfully it sounds like.

[Mystikal]

Have you ever actually looked at an E46 deck? There's no way in hell you're getting it into an E30 dash.

[MR 325]

Yah it came with a code. Better news though. After I explained the situation he canceled my bid....thankfully it sounds like.

Very good, now go spend $200 on something that's worth it.

[Grant]

Yes, I should have thought ahead. So I'm now considering 2 different units: Naka CD 400 and e36 business. Are there any pros/cons that I should know about that may influence my decision? Anyone here have either?