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Improving the stereo system on 02 3-Series

  • 23-08-2006 12:07am
    #1
    Stky10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭


    I'm just looking for advice on how to improve the stereo system on a 02 3 Series I've just bought. In my last car I installed a kenwood system that meant I could play mp3 cd's. In the new car though, there is only a standard FM radio and tape cassette player.

    Installing the same kenwood system in the 3 series isn't really an option as I don't think it would fit, and even if it did it would wreck the look of the dash and make it harder to sell whenever that may be.

    I know I can use a cassette adapter but from what I've seen before the sound quality is pretty crap, and there's too many connecting wires. I know of the iTrip, but again I've been told that reception is pretty rubbish. I also know of the likes of this

    http://www.carplayer.com/

    but again I'd prefer not to have to do much alterations to the dash or have wires hanging around. I'm looking for a clean solution here. I was thinking of using a cd changer, and having it stowed away in the boot, but I can't see a button on the radio, that would allow me to select it.

    Since I'm presuming a BMW dealer would require the financial equivalent of the hand of my first born for a decent official solution, I'm just looking for advice as to what you'd recommend, and what you've implemented yourself. I've gotta have my tunes...


Comments

  • #2
    Eoin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,263 ✭✭✭✭Eoin


    Stky10 wrote:
    I know I can use a cassette adapter but from what I've seen before the sound quality is pretty crap, and there's too many connecting wires. I know of the iTrip, but again I've been told that reception is pretty rubbish.

    The tape adapters really aren't all that bad - but if you are seriously into your ICE, it probably won't be an option. Still though, Cassette Tapes weren't too bad! If you mount an MP3 player to the left of the centre console (where a phone would normally go), then you would just have the one wire leading to the tape adapter. You could probably mask this quite well with some black sparky tape in the ridge that runs under the stereo.

    The iTrips aren't great in my experience, worse quality than the tape adapters.
    Stky10 wrote:
    but again I'd prefer not to have to do much alterations to the dash or have wires hanging around. I'm looking for a clean solution here. I was thinking of using a cd changer, and having it stowed away in the boot,

    Check the left hand side of the boot for a flap - that's where the CD stack normally goes in the e46 as far as I know. Your car may be pre-wired, in which case you may find an OEM stack on eBay.
    Stky10 wrote:
    but I can't see a button on the radio, that would allow me to select it.

    That would be the "mode" button, probably beside the tape eject button.


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