I'm looking for a new headunit for around $300. I need something that's simple to use and looks like it belongs in the instrument panel (no dancing dolphins or disco lights). I would like good sound quality, but it doesn't have to be audiophile level. I will probably run new wiring, and possibly upgrade the speakers some time down the road, but no amps or a sub. AM/FM/CD and Aux/iPod is a must, although I would love to get Bluetooth.
After my searching, these are the only 3 options I could find: BMW CD43, Nakamichi CD-400, and Jensen JHD3510. IMHO, they are the only ones that cosmetically belong in the E30 and all have amber lighting. Everything else from Pioneer, Kenwood, Clarion, Alpine, JVC, and Sony look terrible.
I'm not too keen on trimming my HVAC to get the CD43 to fit, and the size of the buttons look a little weird compared to the OBC buttons. The Nakamichi would be cool, but I've heard bad things about its reliability, and I'm not sure about how it would look in real life (the picture below used a flash that over-accentuates the color difference). I'm leaning towards the Jensen because it actually looks good and has great features, but it's a Jensen! I don't want to be a brand whore, but I usually associate Jensen with the Walmart car audio section.
I'm curious as to which ones you guys like (vote in the poll) or if you have any other suggestions.
BMW Business CD43 ~250 (used)
Pros: OEM+, RDS, Sound Quality, iPod capability with Grom unit
Cons: Requires trimming of HVAC panel, Can only afford used unit
Nakamichi CD-400 ~$300 new
Pros: Clean design, Amber illumination, Sound Quality, Aux-in, Available new
Cons: Not exact match, Supposed reliability issues
Jensen JHD3510 ~$300
Pros: Clean design, amber lighting, iPod/Aux/MP3/NOAA, Price, Heavy Duty design
Cons: Jensen branding, Unknown sound quality
After my searching, these are the only 3 options I could find: BMW CD43, Nakamichi CD-400, and Jensen JHD3510. IMHO, they are the only ones that cosmetically belong in the E30 and all have amber lighting. Everything else from Pioneer, Kenwood, Clarion, Alpine, JVC, and Sony look terrible.
I'm not too keen on trimming my HVAC to get the CD43 to fit, and the size of the buttons look a little weird compared to the OBC buttons. The Nakamichi would be cool, but I've heard bad things about its reliability, and I'm not sure about how it would look in real life (the picture below used a flash that over-accentuates the color difference). I'm leaning towards the Jensen because it actually looks good and has great features, but it's a Jensen! I don't want to be a brand whore, but I usually associate Jensen with the Walmart car audio section.
I'm curious as to which ones you guys like (vote in the poll) or if you have any other suggestions.
BMW Business CD43 ~250 (used)
Pros: OEM+, RDS, Sound Quality, iPod capability with Grom unit
Cons: Requires trimming of HVAC panel, Can only afford used unit
Nakamichi CD-400 ~$300 new
Pros: Clean design, Amber illumination, Sound Quality, Aux-in, Available new
Cons: Not exact match, Supposed reliability issues
Jensen JHD3510 ~$300
Pros: Clean design, amber lighting, iPod/Aux/MP3/NOAA, Price, Heavy Duty design
Cons: Jensen branding, Unknown sound quality
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