Ultimate E30 Head Units...

[Royalratch]

Looks like you can control an iPod/iPhone from an E36 factory head unit - £90 tho...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-3-Series-E36- ... 1262wt_988

[Dezzy]

I am having that.

[Royalratch]

[Dezzy]

Look's right at home

[Jhonno]

That doesn't look right imo..

[Blitz]

They are with a BMW badge on them dude.

So you would spend over twice the money because it has a BMW badge?

[Royalratch]

Yes I would - details Blitz details.

But I didn't have to in the end as above posts states.

[Royalratch]

I think this is the Business CD is the model closer to the E30 era:





BMW branded Grand Prix with proper Deep Amber lighting





Another view...

[Blitz]

Never knew you could get a BMW branded Grand Prix.

[Alex]

I think this is the Business CD is the model closer to the E30 era:





BMW branded Grand Prix with proper Deep Amber lighting

My mums compact has a tape player version of that, and the sound quality is utter shit, its pretty basic. unless its the compact speakers?

If you want a bmw branded unit get the correct one

http://cgi.ebay.de/BMW-BAVARIA-ELECTRON ... 27b202006b

[Royalratch]

Damn Alex there's old skool OEM but those Bavarias are a little too old skool OEM.

To be honest, I'm expecting it to sound average as I said before but one came up cheap so I thought I'd grab it, throw it in and see if I can live with it till a Grand Prix shows up or I just toss it all and go Nakamichi.

[Royalratch]

Changed the thread title as this has turned out to be quite an informative thread and has thrown up some insightful stuff.

[Blitz]

McIntosh MX406


Denon DCT-1


I've got this in mine. Not OEM looking but its fits well in the E30 dash. It decent sound quality and has pre outs. And you can buy an adaptor and control your ipod for £20-30 on ebay. I got it for free so cant complain. Broke the antenna wire so will have to open it up.


And it folds away when you turn the ignition off.

[325isporttech1]

I had an old skool topline kenwood mask tape deck in my last e30 it suited the dash to a tee and the amber lights matched the e30s lights perfect. Il try and find a picture

[skyway]

Ive been lucky enough to have a DCT-1.......Amazing quality head unit

In my opinion the best suited head unit for an E30 is the mighty Blaupunkt IQR88 (£1250 in 1988)



The illumination and digits are an exact match for the 13 button OBC too!

And an added bonus it displays the registration number of the car its fitted to as a security feature!

[Royalratch]

Blitz - that Denon one looks okay but too futuristic.

Nakamichi - not sure 100% on the looks...

[Blitz]

If it was my decision it would be the Becker. Always wanted one.

[Blitz]

Looks like Becker Mexico's were OE in E30's.

http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E30/C ... cr_safety/

[pac1982]

That doesn't look right imo..

+1 sticks out the dash to much, colour dont match and the style is to modern and dont work with the E30 dash at all, looks just as out of place as my 7998R.

But as long as it sounds good and you like it thats the main thing

[Royalratch]

What are you on bro?

The colour is an perfect match (illumination and plastic) and it looks decent. Maybe not 100% perfect but as good as it gets. Saying it looks as out of place as your Alpine is plainly wrong.

I doubt it will sound good, it will sound okay and look great until 'Plan A' can resume.

The correct period E30 units are just too old looking and sound even terrible. The E30 dash hasn't dated as badly as those head units so it benefits from a little facelift.

[Morat]

Sticking out of the dash is my main complaint with the Blaupunkts.

[Royalratch]

This might all be moot as Ive found some 7992's and have confirmed stock they're in stock!

[Dezzy]

This might all be moot as Ive found some 7992's and have confirmed stock they're in stock!

[pac1982]

What are you on bro?

The colour is an perfect match (illumination and plastic) and it looks decent. Maybe not 100% perfect but as good as it gets. Saying it looks as out of place as your Alpine is plainly wrong.

I doubt it will sound good, it will sound okay and look great until 'Plan A' can resume.

The correct period E30 units are just too old looking and sound even terrible. The E30 dash hasn't dated as badly as those head units so it benefits from a little facelift.

I disagree my Alpine is not trying to look period or fit in, it’s supposed to look a bit trick, sound bloody awesome and be an all round gadgety type deck.

The BMW head unit just looks out of place and clearly from the wrong era of BMW


My alpine is doing its task of sounding great and not trying to be inconspicuous, where as the BMW head unit pictured looks wrong and from what I can gather sounds crap so fails on all fronts.

Out of all the units here I think the Denon looks really nice

[Alex]

That doesn't look right imo..

+1 sticks out the dash to much, colour dont match and the style is to modern and dont work with the E30 dash at all, looks just as out of place as my 7998R.

But as long as it sounds good and you like it thats the main thing

If you wanted OEM that sits flush buy a US spec radio, Most come with cd changer controls too.

[Blitz]

Who makes this?

[Alex]

Who makes this?

thats a becker

[Royalratch]

That Becket DTM is okay - but it's got a shiny finish which won;y go down too well - I think it's the predecessor to the GP.



Alex!


It's a got a tape deck dude and again, looks too dated. I'm trying to do modern OEM, I wasn't aware the E36 Business one sits proud of the dash.

I'm going to fit the BMW and Becker one after the other and listen to sound and check the looks and will post the pics. I suspect I'll end up rocking the Becker because native iPod control, proper pre-outs and built-in Bluetooth is just too awesome to give up.

[Alex]

i would go with the becker out of the two like

[Low_E30]

Ratch, if you've found a Becker GP & they are in stock this should be a done deal...

There is no way Becker is gonna be bettered as an all round package.... From looks to features to build quality right down to sound quality....

Get it bought, get it fitted, job done..

[bmwsport]

This is the HU that i've had for years, even before i discovered/owned a E30! I think it's been in 5 cars so far, the first two belonging to my brother and then my old E34, E30 sport and now the Hartge ...

It's still going strong and is in mint condition, i think it looks good/simple and sounds excellent however the only negatives is the non-orange display colour and is a gun-metal colour, not black...

I would like to replace it with a becker GP if Ratchid would be kind enough to reveal where he found the secret stash

[Royalratch]

I would like to replace it with a becker GP if Ratchid would be kind enough to reveal where he found the secret stash

Just need to get mine in my hands before I unleash the hounds...!

[Dezzy]

I would like to replace it with a becker GP if Ratchid would be kind enough to reveal where he found the secret stash

Just need to get mine in my hands before I unleash the hounds...!

Ours?

[bmwsport]

I want in!

[Royalratch]

There were only 2 left at this place and they are spoken - I have a lead at another joint in Holland.