aftermarket head unit

[Redline]

Install was easy, all needed is bmw to iso (or it is called DIN?) radio adapter cable (which I had before). Dab antenna glued on windscreen, cable routed under A pillar, i dont think i have mic in steering column (is it standard?) so i installed a mic on sun visor, cable routed under rubber on A pillar to dash internals. All bits apart of bmw to iso adapter are included with unit.

The only issue was facia plate. The opening in it 5mm smaller that this headunit face, but kenwood do fit into facia. Apparently this unit is made for tractors and lorries the backside of the unit is perfectly DIN and would fit any car.

Then I've cut facia plate, glued some bits back (cheap amazon stuff, so ever if not successful - cheap to replace) and painted it same colour as all other plastic parts in the cabin. it is not dry yet and need some more watersanding and perhaps another layer of matt lacquer. The quality of facia plate is awful, i spent good hour applying putty and sanding, and not perfect yet! Unfortunately bmw does not do OEM facia anymore, and what i got is just cheap Chinese replica of original BMW product. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CT24BM06-...971385?hash=item2a1af63c79:g:QiYAAOSw~oFXFfI6 and harness like this http://www.halfords.com/technology/...sories/autoleads-bmw-harness-adpator-pc2-75-4

Thanks.

I've already got telephone prep including microphone and multifunction steering wheel. Microphone not much use with the top down, but making calls then isn't a priority. Buttons not much use either for the phone to be honest but OK for basic changes on the Radio. I expect that's another cable needed. Phone use is restricted to being stationary so as long as it works OK then thats fine.

 

[ppavuk]

Thanks.

I've already got telephone prep including microphone and multifunction steering wheel. Microphone not much use with the top down, but making calls then isn't a priority. Buttons not much use either for the phone to be honest but OK for basic changes on the Radio. I expect that's another cable needed. Phone use is restricted to being stationary so as long as it works OK then thats fine.

Yeah, for steering wheel buttons you would need a smart adapter canle, and not all makes of headunits covered.

 

[oldcarman]

Hi,
I just recently replaced a very ugly looking aftermarket Blaupunkt I found on my Z with a very OEM Looking Clarion FZ102E. It's mechless meaning it only reads USB sticks and has an aux in, so it mounts very shallow...and it's light.

I am very happy with it and the most amazing thing is that it has a OEM look (big volume knob, chunky buttons) and the illumination is a 10/10 perfect match with the BMW amber color. I think Clarion made it purposely for BMW youngtimers.

I have attached a picture of it on my Z3 dash and another one on the E36 where you can better see the illumination.

Retail price is around 100euros, I found it mint by a guy for less than half.

View attachment 41303

I think you hit on a great match with this unit. It certainly has the old styling so lacking in so many units these days!! JIM

 

[ppavuk]

And the final setup. Far from ideal, but acceptable imho.

 

[Jack Ratt]

@ppavuk that looks very retro, yes I like that a lot

 

[ppavuk]

@ppavuk that looks very retro, yes I like that a lot

Yeah, the unit is good match with ventilation controls. But fascia plate is utter rubbish. I'll look for different one. Seems Halfords do some, but I don't want to purchase online, will go to see it in reality first.

 

[ppavuk]

@ppavuk that looks very retro, yes I like that a lot

and also pleasure to operate, buttons actually click when pressed, I can feel it, and knobs click on rotation too so easy to adjust. Sound quality is OK, BT and DAB works flawlessly.

 

[ppavuk]

and night one. Not exact match, but i could live with this!

 

[ppavuk]

Crazy idea just hit my head! Actually, i do see next step of this install! I've promised my kids to get them 3D printer for xmas, so i perhaps will get another same unit and cannibalize it, change lights to exact match and print a new front panel matching dashboard opening. Sounds stupid, but doable!

 

[ppavuk]

But before this i'll improve current setup. I see i can cut some plastic inside fascia plate to remove distortion which is clearly visible on daylight picture. Maybe after that mod it will look acceptable...

 

[Gundun]

But before this i'll improve current setup. I see i can cut some plastic inside fascia plate to remove distortion which is clearly visible on daylight picture. Maybe after that mod it will look acceptable...

You might also want to consider using some 3M wrapping foil in brushed aluminium to mask the rough edges a little.

 

[ppavuk]

Some more progresss, ordered another fascia plate, got it delivered today an this Chinese crap went straight to bin. Quality even worst, does not fit to dash opening at all. Pretty frustrating. And then I've got idea! My old business cd unit is dead, cd mechanism is broken, so why not cannibalize it? What will fit to dash better than original bmw part?

So i disassembled it, cut, filled buttons holes with epoxy resin, shaped on belt sander, filled, sanded and primed.

Tomo, when filler primer sets some more prep and then paint & matt lacquer. Also i need to cast of epoxy a replacement for broken bitt where screw goes.

Fitment tested, and it does fit well, as expected.

 

[ppavuk]

Yeah, a bit of overkill, but i can't live with this ugly fascia plate... I've refurbished ashtray assembly and all air vents, painted them fresh to nearly (99% match) original metallic grey (and some satin lacquer) so these parts looks like new OEM, so cabin does looks neat, apart of ugly radio setup. Seems with this mod job will be finaly done.

 

[oldcarman]

Great idea you had to use the original part!! Can't wait to see it with the head unit installed!! JIM

 

[Redline]

Love your ingenuity with the old facia.
Have thought about a 3D printer, but, to do something like this part you'd need a seriously large unit.
Until it becomes possible to scan an original to create the file for a new part it's somewhat hit and mainly miss to get a clone made of most things. Getting strength into a thin part like this so it doesn't snap easily along the layers too isn't easy.

 

[ppavuk]

Love your ingenuity with the old facia.
Have thought about a 3D printer, but, to do something like this part you'd need a seriously large unit.
Until it becomes possible to scan an original to create the file for a new part it's somewhat hit and mainly miss to get a clone made of most things. Getting strength into a thin part like this so it doesn't snap easily along the layers too isn't easy.

yeah, the shape is far to complicated for easy drawing printing. In theory, i could scan original radio face and then edit and cnc from single piece of plastic. I've made some research on 3d scanning cnc/3d print - far too expensive for such a project...

So old good files, saw, knife and sandpaper

hope to get this finished next weekend. Prep and painting requires patience and time more than skills.

 

[ppavuk]

Great idea you had to use the original part!! Can't wait to see it with the head unit installed!! JIM

I had no better option... There was OEM part before, but bmw does not make them anymore, and most online sellers sell Chinese replica with same partnumber. I've actually ordered another "original" part from germany, if germans will send fake instead i'll send it back. But it will take some time. Let's see what results i'll get with cut bmw part. Maybe this will be end of this anabasis!

 

[ppavuk]

Almost there. Due to fit tomo, when lacquer sets. It is not glossy, just bad light.

 

[ppavuk]

That's it. I won't touch it anymore!

 

[Redline]

That's it. I won't touch it anymore!

View attachment 42660

Am well impressed. Nice work