Some advice and guidance required

Sat Dec 26, 2015 12:21 pm

I'm not too I.C.E. savvy, it's not something I've ever spent much (any) time on. My 318iS has this horrible silver monstrosity of a radio fitted to it at the moment. It is linked to a 10disc CD changer in the boot. The fitment of the radio unit is horrendous and I shudder to think how monstrous the wiring is going to be when I remove it.

I've been thinking about a couple of options:

1: To source an original E30 tape player. What would have been in the car original or are there 'upgraded' options that can be fitted from higher models. Is it worth waiting and finding these, are the rare etc?

2: Are there 'retro' looking but modern in functionality head units available that will be in keeping with the originality of the rest of the car but also offer 'mod cons' (bluetooth etc).

Many thanks

Sat Dec 26, 2015 2:23 pm

I have just bought a clarion head unit, which looks factory, (same colours too a tee!) and has usb and aux in. Will try find the part number later!

Sat Dec 26, 2015 3:30 pm

youve got another option, get an original e30 radio that has a input (aux in )for an android phone or mp3 player ect

Sat Dec 26, 2015 4:54 pm

Sambe30 wrote:I have just bought a clarion head unit, which looks factory, (same colours too a tee!) and has usb and aux in. Will try find the part number later!

Cool that'd be great cheers. This one doesn't looo too offensive: http://www.globalgps.co.uk/item-92728-clarion-fz-102e

scottybeemer wrote:youve got another option, get an original e30 radio that has a input (aux in )for an android phone or mp3 player ect

I've been looking at Blaupunkt head units on eBay like this one http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 1642830303 I guess I need to get behind what's already in the car to find out what connectors or adapters I'll need to fit a replacement.

Sat Dec 26, 2015 7:47 pm

scottybeemer wrote:youve got another option, get an original e30 radio

There isn't any such thing. All e30 ICE was dealer fit, and they fitted what they/the customer wanted.

Ben

Sat Dec 26, 2015 8:54 pm

BenHar wrote:
scottybeemer wrote:youve got another option, get an original e30 radio
There isn't any such thing. All e30 ICE was dealer fit, and they fitted what they/the customer wanted.

Ben

they did do factory supplied one's
scott

Sat Dec 26, 2015 9:26 pm

Yeah that is what I got fz102e. Spot on!

Sun Dec 27, 2015 4:19 pm

Do you have or can you get photos of it installed Sambe30?

Sun Dec 27, 2015 5:57 pm

I've got a mech-less Alpine unit, so no CDs to rattle around just USB, 3.5mm and Bluetooth inputs - It also does hands free calling.
Being mech-less the unit is not as deep as a normal unit so there's more room behind for the wiring making it easier to install.

Ive never used the USB or 3.5mm inputs as it just connects to my phone as soon as it turns on. I got some cheap components up front with a small amp and its fine for what I need/want - I tried to use the E30 Nokia tweeters but I think old age had got to them lol

The only thing I don't like is the big red source button, but other than that it's not too offensive.

Sun Dec 27, 2015 6:24 pm

scottybeemer wrote:
BenHar wrote:
scottybeemer wrote:youve got another option, get an original e30 radio
There isn't any such thing. All e30 ICE was dealer fit, and they fitted what they/the customer wanted.

Ben
they did do factory supplied one's
scott

On European and US spec E30's but all UK stuff was dealer fitted aftermarket audio until the last of the touring in 1993/4

Sun Dec 27, 2015 6:30 pm

bss325i wrote:
scottybeemer wrote:
BenHar wrote: There isn't any such thing. All e30 ICE was dealer fit, and they fitted what they/the customer wanted.

Ben
they did do factory supplied one's
scott
On European and US spec E30's but all UK stuff was dealer fitted aftermarket audio until the last of the touring in 1993/4

that is correct,ive got two somewhere