E30 Zone

Sorry if this has been asked before - I did have a quick search around but couldn't find anything.

My car is fitted with the "BMW Reverse RDS" stereo. This works well and produces a good sound.... but it's only cassette and I haven't possessed any cassettes since..... ?

So I picked up a cheap Sony single CD palyer off a local for sale page, it's all black so none of this chrome and blue LED nonsense that seems to be on everything now so I'm hoping it won't look out of place.

I haven't removed the BMW one yet, need to find my removal pins - I know I have some somewhere.

And as I'm impatient thought I'd ask on here rather than wait and see for myself.

But wondering what plug/connections I'm going to find on the back of the OEM stereo and whether or not I'm going to need a plug and play adapter loom, or will I need to chop and solder?

Unless it's been previously messed with, you will need an ISO adaptor like this... http://m.aliexpress.com/item/956148336. ... sitedetail
This plugs on to the E30 loom.

From memory a sony unit has a single 16 pin socket at the back. If you didn't get the lead that plugs into this with your sony stereo, you will need to get one to plug into the ISO adaptor.


But, I wouldn't go buying anything until you've pulled your existing unit and had a look whets behind it - you might be lucky and already have what you need.

That looks like it will be perfect - thanks - as you say providing the original loom is in place - which I hope will be the case as pretty sure the stereo is original.

I had the cable with the Sony unit, one plug on the back splits into the 2 blocks which will marry up with the 2 plugs on the loom in the link.

All you should need then is the ISO adaptor, so its a nice and simple plug and play
I've seen the ISO adaptors on ebay for around £6, so don't go paying Halfords prices!

I've just fitted a new headunit to mine and found all the original wiring still intact which was a nice surprise.