BMW CD Player recommendations?

[Roku35]

Although I have nice BMW cassette players that came with my cars, I would still like a CD player. I only have CDs to play. All my cassettes are long time gone. Any recommendations for reasonably priced alternatives will be much appreciated. Thanks.

[carsnplanes]

The Nakamichi line seems to be the units of choice for both fit and function. Tends to retain the "old school" look (non-ricey (sorry ricers)) look. Also has selectable background lighting to match our dash lights. Nakamichi 400 sounds familiar. Others may know exactly.

[Ol'6erGuy]

The Nak is a good choice. The other, "to keep the factory look" might be the Business cd factory unit.

[JoeFab]

I tried to get a Business CD from a later model into mine but I think there is an issue with depth. I just could not get the damn thing in all the way.

OK, no jokes, haha!

I went with a Sony that had an auxillary for Ipod.

[HayekFan]

Sony CD players from the mid 90s look nice in Sixers and are inexpensive. Models CDX-5290 and CDX-5100 were the top of the line and had amber lighting.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1018176&highlight=stereo

Downside is no mp3 inputs.

[Seeker]

in a pinch.. you could always get a cassette adaptor that you plug into a ipod device..

[Quasi635]

A nice deck I've been eying is the Alpine CDA-9887. A little pricey ($300 on ebay). It's nice though, you can change the color schemes. Check out this youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf0U6OxSGb8

Looks nice too, nice screen...
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/20090/500/p500CDA9887-o.jpeg

Since it IS a little pricey, I'm looking for an older deck (not a fan of Sony) that has red lights.

If I find anything older I'll post it here. But for all those people who have the $$, the Alpine is a nice option.

[raye36]

Have you thought about loading your CDs to a mp3 player or ipod and using a cassette adaptor that plugs into the player, this would also help preserve your CDs from scratches and extreme heat.

[Alpine31B]

I have an Alpine 9885 mounted in my car. You can change the color to all red, doesn't match the dash perfectly but its pretty close. It was pretty pricey though so I bet the 9887 will be pretty expensive as well.

[Shipper]

You're better off going a cheaper CD player and better speakers. My speakers are 32 years old and are crap. Get good suround sound going with front and back speakers. An expensive CD player is useless if your speakers are old and crap.

[RunnInc]

ALPINE is the way to go!!

[Bentsdl]

You guys only say that because Alpine sounds like Alpina:stickoutt

[Roku35]

Will a stock BMW radio/cassette from a 3-series fit in a 6er?

[HayekFan]

If the 3-series player is a standard DIN mount, which it probably is, then it should fit. At least I think it should -- maybe someone else can say for sure.

[Roku35]

Just checking to see if anybody has a Nakamichi system installed in any of their cars? Just picked one up for $180 one year used, working and very nice. Looking for any tips or tricks that may come in handy for the install. I still have the factory cassette/radio in my 6er, are the pins or connections universal? I'll have to download some install instructions if its not with the system when I get it.

[Roku35]

in a pinch.. you could always get a cassette adaptor that you plug into a ipod device..

What is a good adaptor? Where do you find this adaptor? I can't believe I didn't have to buy replacement cd players for my 6ers. Then again, I still would need an ipod device along with the adaptors.

[Stoffie]

Try to find a BMW/Blaupunkt CD43, I have one and it's great. It fits perfectly into the dash, style-wise, does not look out of date or too modern and sound is good. You can even fit it with a DICE Ipod adapter later through the cd changer connection in the back if you ever wanted to.

http://www.buso.be/pics/bmw/DSC00850_rs.jpg

[FernandoBunster]

This is the one I'm considering and it has changeable backlighting:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_522JHD3510/Jensen-Heavy-Duty-JHD3510.html?tp=5684

[HayekFan]

Yeah, that would fit right in with the Sixer's dash decor. Here it is with the amber illumination:

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/20090/522/h522JHD3510-f_orange.jpeg

[BoldUlysses]

Just checking to see if anybody has a Nakamichi system installed in any of their cars?

I had a CD400 installed in my old Audi 4000. Great sound, but fragile. There were some cds (mainly mix cds) that it refused to play for some reason, and would refuse "normal" cds from time to time as well.

http://www.boldulysses.com/old/audi/hu4.jpg

Still, can't beat the look. Other displays may have the amber lighting, but the Nak unit gets the other details right as well--nothing chrome-y or tacky like later Sony and Alpine units so it looks almost period in the dash.

-Matt

[Roku35]

Try to find a BMW/Blaupunkt CD43, I have one and it's great. It fits perfectly into the dash, style-wise, does not look out of date or too modern and sound is good. You can even fit it with a DICE Ipod adapter later through the cd changer connection in the back if you ever wanted to.

http://www.buso.be/pics/bmw/DSC00850_rs.jpg

Cool :cool that looks great! I love that it looks like its built right into the console (no trims). My problem is I already got two Naka CD400s to install, not like I need another unit, but I guess thats a good enough reason to keep hunting down that ellusive M635csi to complete my trilogy :D

[Roku35]

I had a CD400 installed in my old Audi 4000. Great sound, but fragile. There were some cds (mainly mix cds) that it refused to play for some reason, and would refuse "normal" cds from time to time as well.

http://www.boldulysses.com/old/audi/hu4.jpg

Still, can't beat the look. Other displays may have the amber lighting, but the Nak unit gets the other details right as well--nothing chrome-y or tacky like later Sony and Alpine units so it looks almost period in the dash.

-Matt

Matt,

Thanks for the pic of the Naka 400. It looks good and will blend well into a 6er console. I'm thinking to install in my brown car first (always my test subject) to replace the Alpine unit. What do you think about the cassette storage unit currently in the console? There will no longer be a cassette player, so should I replace with the standard grill work? I kind of like it for nostalgia purposes, but doesn't necessarily make sense to keep it if I have a cd player :dunno

[BoldUlysses]

Is there a way to remove the cassette-holding framework and replace it with CD-case-holding slots? Or maybe just leave an open area (we all know the 6er wasn't blessed with an abundance of nooks and crannies)?

Otherwise I'd put back the standard grille.

On the other hand, it'd be a great opportunity to install some extra gauges! Get oil pressure, oil temp and a voltage in there. Or maybe fuel pressure.

-Matt

[Roku35]

Is there a way to remove the cassette-holding framework and replace it with CD-case-holding slots? Or maybe just leave an open area (we all know the 6er wasn't blessed with an abundance of nooks and crannies)?

Otherwise I'd put back the standard grille.

On the other hand, it'd be a great opportunity to install some extra gauges! Get oil pressure, oil temp and a voltage in there. Or maybe fuel pressure.

-Matt

Great idea Matt! I can swap out my standard console grill from my 635CSi and replace the cassette storage on the 628CSiA. And then work in some cool gauges for my 635CSi 5-speed. Sweet! I love it! Time to look for more toyz (black face gauges) :buttrock

[oldymcoldington]

http://www.buso.be/pics/bmw/DSC00850_rs.jpg


Stoffie,

what model BMW did these come out of?

[Stoffie]

I think these were originally in the E36's, some say only the M3's.

But they are just Blaupunkt CD43's that were rebadged and also used in Mini's and Rovers, apparently.

[PRJKTGRMN]

i recently installed a very nice and cheap Sony headunit into my 6. it has XM capibility, single CD as well as an aux input for your iPod. it was only $75 and it matches the red interior dash lights of the 6 perfectly. its modern but it fits flush and looks right at home in our dashes

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/TJ21685/DSC03930.jpg

[Roku35]

After contemplating a cd player install, one of the members here made a suggestion to incorporate additional handy-dandy gauges on the console instead of keeping my cassette storage. Great idea!

Looking to switching the grilles from my 6ers to accomodate my intended goal.

Will pull standard grill from 635 to install directly into 628. Then I'm planning to use the cassette storage grill from 628 and fabricate a central gauge center below the cd/radio units for my 635csi. Anybody out there do something similar? Brainstorming right now, I even found the black faced gauges I want to use from Bavauto. Any words of wisdom?

[JayM]

Stoffie,

what model BMW did these come out of?

Those are Rover radios with an ///M badge stuck on. It's the same unit though (I think they're Blaupunkt manufacture), just not a stock BMW CD43. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1180894.

There are no M-specific radios to my knowledge. The CD 43 was available in the E36, E34 and E32.

[GAflyer]

Stoffie, I just bought one of these for my M6 off eBay. I think it looks perfect, too.

Can any of you give me any hints on wiring?...radios aren't my strong point.:help I bought the 17-pin connector, am just trying to sort out how to hook it into my original wiring (I have electrical manual and diagrams). My car had the original radio/cassette unit installed.


Try to find a BMW/Blaupunkt CD43, I have one and it's great. It fits perfectly into the dash, style-wise, does not look out of date or too modern and sound is good. You can even fit it with a DICE Ipod adapter later through the cd changer connection in the back if you ever wanted to.

http://www.buso.be/pics/bmw/DSC00850_rs.jpg

[Stoffie]

Cool :)

About the wiring. My 17 pin connector had stuff written on the leads, so it was easy to know what was what. However, colors all seemed the same as the ones used on regular DIN connectors these days (of which you can find the wiring diagram/colors on the net), so shouldn't be too hard.

Don't forget to wire the illumination lead to the illumination circuit (or otherwise switched 12V), because otherwise you won't have backlights on the buttons and rotary knob working.

[stoner]

Found 6 Blaupunkt CD43 Business's on ebay. The cheapest was $269.00 and others were priced over $300.00. Cool looking unit.
Regards,

Dwight