Non-E30 Audio Question (E36 BMW)

[UNHCLL]

Can you install a headunit into an e36 without rewiring the whole car like you have to do in an E30?

I'd like to get my sister a CD player for her car, and want to be able to plug & play, even if it just means getting an install adapter/kit.

TIA,
Chris

[Mtriple]

pity reply...



















































As for your question, I had no problem wiring an Alpine 7894 into the HK system on my 96 M3. Just wired it up to the aftermarket harness and plugged it right in. Sounded great!

[smonkbmw]

+1. just need a harness adapter. getting the "cage" to lock in is a pain in the ass. wait, i think it needs a antenna adapter also.

[StereoInstaller1]

Chris, there are 2 different wiring harnesses for E36. Early (pre '96, IIRC) uses the same antenna as a normal car, later cars use a "Euro" antenna adapter.

I have only seen one E36 without an amp, that was a '93 318.

The stock E36 amplifier/speaker combo is an amazingly good sounding setup with the exception of bass, of which it has none. I HIGHLY recommend choosing a deck with high-pass filters so it is easier to subwoof.

Quick easy job for a deck install in an E36.

Luke

[UNHCLL]

Cool, thank you guys.
Sister is getting the headunit only. No other items will go in her car, she's dangerous enough without further distractions... ;)

The car is a base M44'd 318i 4 door... so it may not have an amp in the stereo either. I'll have to look into that.

Thanks,
-C

[FredK]

Yeah I dropped a CD43 into my E36. It was one of the few jobs I've done to my car that wasn't complicated by rust.

[StereoInstaller1]

Yeah I dropped a CD43 into my E36. It was one of the few jobs I've done to my car that wasn't complicated by rust.

I LOL'd

[UNHCLL]

Yeah I dropped a CD43 into my E36. It was one of the few jobs I've done to my car that wasn't complicated by rust.

You know there is rust on the steel assembly that holds the dash together right? I've seen it on every e36 that's been stripped for race prep!

OH NOES... ALL UR RUZT BELONGS TO US

[FredK]

Ya, stuff on the interior still gets frozen with light corrosion. I had to replace a lock cylinder and ignition switch bracket on the car, and the breakoff torx screws were stuck SOLID.