CD changer for the stock unit?

[Groove_D]

I found out that my stock unit is capable of having the cd changer. My question is are there any cd changers out there that are able to play mp3s?
I tried to google it but came up that most cd changers don't play mp3s.

Any info is great.
Thanks.

[StereoInstaller1]

Wow...CD changers in an E30. Now we is going WAAAAAAAAY back!

The only changer that works with that deck is the old "M Bus" Pioneer. Good luck on the whole "finding one that works" thing...as far as MP3, shit, man, they don't play burned CDs, much less an compressed format!

You can make an AUX input on that deck though.

Luke

[LovableSheep]

My car came with a Sony changer hooked up to the stock head unit. I have no idea of it's capabilities, though. I never tried it before I pulled it out.

[Groove_D]

Actually my stock HU is alpine. And i think that pioneer changer won't work with it. On the other hand, LovableSheep mentionned that he had sony changer on the stock unit. They say if you hook up mismatch cd changer it might destroy the HU.

I have a sony changer kicking around, but i also heard 92-95 e36 changers work with the stock HU, as long as it has the 13 pin round plug.

[StereoInstaller1]

Yes, your stock deck is Alpine, manufactured to BMW specs.

It used a CD changer made by Pioneer to BMW specs.

Sony never made a CD changer to BMW specs. He is likely using an RF modulated changer, but Sony uses parallel data. Pioneer used serial data, but switched in about 1994 or so to parallel, except in BMW, Range Rover and Mitsubishi OE stuff.

Your deck used an "M Bus" based Pioneer CD changer, round or square plug, depending on application. And yes, the E36 changer was also Pioneer.

I installed literally hundreds of changers back when all of this was new. I may not remember what I had for lunch (unless I burp it up) but I remember what these cars used.

Things are a bit different in OE stuff.

Luke

[LovableSheep]

^ Whatever StereoInstaller says is probably right.

Like I said, I have no idea how or if the changer that was in my car worked. I pulled it out without even trying it.

It consisted of the actual changer unit in the trunk, a controller box looking thing stuffed behind the head unit, and a little display/control module thing that was glued to the console.

If I remember, the box stuffed behind the radio was spliced directly into the harness, so that probably means it wasn't hooked up to factory specs.

[AndrewBird]

^ Whatever StereoInstaller says is probably right.

Like I said, I have no idea how or if the changer that was in my car worked. I pulled it out without even trying it.

It consisted of the actual changer unit in the trunk, a controller box looking thing stuffed behind the head unit, and a little display/control module thing that was glued to the console.

If I remember, the box stuffed behind the radio was spliced directly into the harness, so that probably means it wasn't hooked up to factory specs.

What you are describing sounds like an RF Modulator. It hooks inline between the antenna and the head unit. Basically you program your radio to a certain frequency and the box modulates the input from the CD changer to play on that frequency.

[Groove_D]

Ok i was reading some info on it and read that the alpine deck would not work with the pioneer changer even though the plug is the same, it also said that it may cause damage to the unit.

Where can i get the fm modulator and would i be able to use the sony cd changer with that fm modulator or would my stock HU work with the e36 cd changer?
I'm also wondering how hard would it be to wire up the early e36 deck. Is it a direct plug and play?

[AndrewBird]

Well, Luke said you can make an AUX input on your stock deck, so why not do that and then use that to hook any CD changer into it? Seems the simplest way with the most options for a CD changer. You would have to have a separate controller for the CD changer however.

[Groove_D]

Yes you can make an aux input but everytime you use it you have to have a tape spinning in your deck and that's something i don't want to have. You will always have the casette sticking out from the deck, doesn't look clean either.

[nmlss2006]

...and I have the Pioneer on the way, for kicks. I'll see if it works.

[ColdAccord]

I don't think the radio frequency on the pioneer is the case. My e34 has changer control on the stock hu

i have a perfect pioneer changer in my e34. what are they worth?

[Erik j]

I don't think the radio frequency on the pioneer is the case. My e34 has changer control on the stock hu

i have a perfect pioneer changer in my e34. what are they worth?

I paid $30 for my last one, with cable and pigtail, I think they go for alot more than that though.