E36 Radio in an E30

[KBMW222]

I was given a BMW Buis Radio/6 Disc Changer Option ...cant think of the radio# at the moment but it was pulled from a 96 BMW Z3.

Has anyone done this conversion into their E30?

I really wanted to keep the amber lighting but NEED a CD player. I would want to mount the CD changer in the trunk of course so how much trouble am I getting myself into by attempting to install this into an 85 325e. My concern is that it would not light/dim and the antenna may not work properly.

KB

[thereisnoyun]

I was given a BMW Buis Radio/6 Disc Changer Option ...cant think of the radio# at the moment but it was pulled from a 96 BMW Z3.

Has anyone done this conversion into their E30?

I really wanted to keep the amber lighting but NEED a CD player. I would want to mount the CD changer in the trunk of course so how much trouble am I getting myself into by attempting to install this into an 85 325e. My concern is that it would not light/dim and the antenna may not work properly.

KB

if its single din. it should be fine. Just figure out the wiring it should all work fine. It would be easier to determine the wiring if you post exactly which radio it is. CD43, or something of that would help determine the exact wiring, I'm sure someone has done it.

Antenna may not work properly, cause some factory HU doesnt come with antenna seperate power..

[StereoInstaller1]

OK, so here is the deal. That E36 came with an amp. ALL of them do, except the cheapass M44 powered car, right? Your '85 "e" likely did not. That E36 deck will, in fact, run speakers all by itself, but poorly...and it will get hot. You will need to install an amp, whether you use stock BMW or aftermarket.

I personally would use aftermarket, since the stock E30 amp is a POS, and the E36 is a PITA...find a cheap 4 channel.

Lighting should not be an issue, you may need to chase dimming wires, since (IIRC) the E30 radio illumination wire does not "dim"...you can find them on the OBC easily enough. As far as antenna, stock E30 antenna will do just fine, but you may want to use a window lockout switch to keep the antenna down while not in use.

GL!
Luke

[KBMW222]

Luke and Yun you guys are awesome thanks for the help!

[KBMW222]

Anyone know of a good installer in CA?

[m_dudey]

does anyone know if my 89 325i has an amp? I'd like to just plug my CD43 unit in with an adapter and be done with it.

OK, so here is the deal. That E36 came with an amp. ALL of them do, except the cheapass M44 powered car, right? Your '85 "e" likely did not. That E36 deck will, in fact, run speakers all by itself, but poorly...and it will get hot. You will need to install an amp, whether you use stock BMW or aftermarket.

I personally would use aftermarket, since the stock E30 amp is a POS, and the E36 is a PITA...find a cheap 4 channel.

Lighting should not be an issue, you may need to chase dimming wires, since (IIRC) the E30 radio illumination wire does not "dim"...you can find them on the OBC easily enough. As far as antenna, stock E30 antenna will do just fine, but you may want to use a window lockout switch to keep the antenna down while not in use.

GL!
Luke

[E30 Cabrio]

does anyone know if my 89 325i has an amp? I'd like to just plug my CD43 unit in with an adapter and be done with it.

If your car has tweeter pods in the corners of the front windows, then yes.

[E30driver12]

I have a 1995 E34 radio in my 84 e30 along with the factory 6 CD changer. They are Alpine.

The E34 radio should be the same as the E36.

I have no amp.

Sounds great. Unit sticks out about 1/4 of an inch. I have driven the car for about 7 years and logged in about 110,000 miles on it with no problems on the sound etc.

I took it to a radio shop to install since it's not plug and play.

I have no clue whether the system is running "hot" since I don't go around feeling up my car. Perhaps with an amp it might just sound better. For me, it's totally irrelevant and I would not waste money trying to get better quality because it sounds great and loud enough for my needs.

I also have the factory tweeter pods retro fitted.