So recently I picked up a 325is w/ Premium sound and when I went to listen to it there was this piercing sound.
Sometimes it was worse sometimes it was less, sometimes it wasn't even there.
Stock Radio
So after tons of searching and posting a video for you guys to diagnose we determined it was the amp and I had either,
replace the amp ( stupid ) or replace the head-unit and amp.
I elected for the later as I dont even own tapes anymore. So my hunt began for a new head-unit but I had some requirements that were non negotiable.
I did some research and saw a ton of people recommended a used Nakamichi but they were pricey and from what I read had issues over time,
My second pick was either a BMW Business CD43 or C33 modified for AUX input but these were pricey for the performance + I would have to dremel my dash to fix it.
After posting about the problems I was having with the stock unit Luke ( stereoinstaller1 ) recommended a Pioneer DEH-6300UB for good sound quality,
price and a good overall match in the E30 dash.
So while at the local Best Buy I went and checked it out in person and liked it so I went online and found it for $129.99 here : http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...EH-6300UB.html
Best buy price matched it and I was on my way, It helped not needing to purchase a mount kit as the E30 takes a DIN radio perfect without one and also
not needing a wire harness or antenna adaptor since we will be modifying the stock wiring to eliminate the amp.
First I removed the stock radio by popping open the two tabs and inserting the appropriate allen key, radio slid right out.
( ignore the shift knob I just got the car and it was on it ) Being replaced with ZHP knob.
At first I was like wholly crap what a mess where do I start, but after looking I see they had some sort of common ground we
could eliminate and also that the power / remote / antenna power were all separate from the twisted pair stereo wires.
So after separating and taping the wires a little everything was nice and neat. I then proceeded to connect all the wires per
the sticky for bypassing the amp which worked 100% perfect.
Cool its install time, When installing I looked at it and thought hmmm theres gotta be something I can do to calm it down a little.
It looks good but could look better :
Its the trim ring! Its flat which fits the dash nice but its shiny. I know the radio is too but cant really change that.. What to do? hmm.
Sand / Prime / Paint w Krylon fusion satin black for plastics..
Painted & Installed
Cool now that we have the front installed time for the trunk.. Process in a nutshell :
Removed drivers side carpet, removed antenna ( 2 bolts + wire harness etc )
Removed one bolt holding amp and then unplugged amp and throw into the closest garbage.
Separate the wires out :
Taped the Amp ( turn-on / Ground / Power ) out of the way which leaves just the twisted pairs behind. Now wires these up per the "Amp bypass Sticky "
Button up trunk and we should be in business!! All I can say is WOW after a little playing with the settings the premium sound speakers come to
life with a new headunit.. A 5 channel amp and a Luke box may be in my future sooner than im thinking but this sounds great for what it is.
One of the beauties of this unit is the colors can be changed to not just amber / green but to 1000s of color shades and the Keys and LCD can be changed separately.
These are the settings that worked best for me matching the stock lights
After setting these up your unit should look like this ) pics can be deceiving it matches almost 100% perfect!
I tried to match the keys to the buttons on the dash and the LCD to the clock.
Its wierd why my camera detects the hvac buttons as yellow but you can see the USB logo is the same.
Hope this thread helps anyone else looking to replace there radio with something much nicer and rather cheap with good results,
If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Sometimes it was worse sometimes it was less, sometimes it wasn't even there.
Stock Radio
So after tons of searching and posting a video for you guys to diagnose we determined it was the amp and I had either,
replace the amp ( stupid ) or replace the head-unit and amp.
I elected for the later as I dont even own tapes anymore. So my hunt began for a new head-unit but I had some requirements that were non negotiable.
- Had to match the BMW illumination ( or be pretty close ) Nothing more annoying than green buttons when everything is amber.
- Had to work with iPod/iPhone ( i have a lot of music on an iPod )
- Had to sound good! ( dont need explaining here )
- Couldn't be super expensive ( im not cheap but wasnt looking to go crazy )
I did some research and saw a ton of people recommended a used Nakamichi but they were pricey and from what I read had issues over time,
My second pick was either a BMW Business CD43 or C33 modified for AUX input but these were pricey for the performance + I would have to dremel my dash to fix it.
After posting about the problems I was having with the stock unit Luke ( stereoinstaller1 ) recommended a Pioneer DEH-6300UB for good sound quality,
price and a good overall match in the E30 dash.
So while at the local Best Buy I went and checked it out in person and liked it so I went online and found it for $129.99 here : http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...EH-6300UB.html
Best buy price matched it and I was on my way, It helped not needing to purchase a mount kit as the E30 takes a DIN radio perfect without one and also
not needing a wire harness or antenna adaptor since we will be modifying the stock wiring to eliminate the amp.
First I removed the stock radio by popping open the two tabs and inserting the appropriate allen key, radio slid right out.
( ignore the shift knob I just got the car and it was on it ) Being replaced with ZHP knob.
At first I was like wholly crap what a mess where do I start, but after looking I see they had some sort of common ground we
could eliminate and also that the power / remote / antenna power were all separate from the twisted pair stereo wires.
So after separating and taping the wires a little everything was nice and neat. I then proceeded to connect all the wires per
the sticky for bypassing the amp which worked 100% perfect.
Cool its install time, When installing I looked at it and thought hmmm theres gotta be something I can do to calm it down a little.
It looks good but could look better :
Its the trim ring! Its flat which fits the dash nice but its shiny. I know the radio is too but cant really change that.. What to do? hmm.
Sand / Prime / Paint w Krylon fusion satin black for plastics..
Painted & Installed
Cool now that we have the front installed time for the trunk.. Process in a nutshell :
Removed drivers side carpet, removed antenna ( 2 bolts + wire harness etc )
Removed one bolt holding amp and then unplugged amp and throw into the closest garbage.
Separate the wires out :
Taped the Amp ( turn-on / Ground / Power ) out of the way which leaves just the twisted pairs behind. Now wires these up per the "Amp bypass Sticky "
Button up trunk and we should be in business!! All I can say is WOW after a little playing with the settings the premium sound speakers come to
life with a new headunit.. A 5 channel amp and a Luke box may be in my future sooner than im thinking but this sounds great for what it is.
One of the beauties of this unit is the colors can be changed to not just amber / green but to 1000s of color shades and the Keys and LCD can be changed separately.
These are the settings that worked best for me matching the stock lights
- LCD - R 35 / G 10 / B 5
- Keys - R 16 / G 12 / B 11
After setting these up your unit should look like this ) pics can be deceiving it matches almost 100% perfect!
I tried to match the keys to the buttons on the dash and the LCD to the clock.
Its wierd why my camera detects the hvac buttons as yellow but you can see the USB logo is the same.
Hope this thread helps anyone else looking to replace there radio with something much nicer and rather cheap with good results,
If you have any questions feel free to ask.
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