Head unit?

[Cloggy Saint]

I know this has been done to death, but what (not too expensive) MP3 head units are out there that illuminate more or less to the standard E30 orange? Preferably one that doesn't have a huge chrome volume control sticking out of it!

[Alex]

http://www.clarionworld.co.uk/car-audio ... -car-radio

Something like that?

[snakebrain]

http://www.clarionworld.co.uk/car-audio ... -car-radio

Something like that?

No USB which is a deal-breaker for me..

[Cloggy Saint]

http://www.clarionworld.co.uk/car-audio ... -car-radio

Something like that?

Hmm, yes something like that, although the illuminated star pattern at the left of it might look a bit tacky at night, I like simplicity...

[bmwsport]

A second hand becker grandprix

I got mine for £200 inc ipod loom in as new cond. Amazing sound quality, i had a good expensive pioneer unit in before and in terms of sound it is inferior in comparison to the becker.

[shimsheemer]

Just put this in and not too disappointed, wanted to avoid the big flashy blue stuff and try to match the orange dash lights (kept the original for aesthetics and to return to standard, just that it was dying slowly). It's an Alpine 111R I think but does unfortunately have a big chrome volume control. I bought it from 'caraudiocenter' - http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product ... -25870.htm

[Cloggy Saint]

Afraid that one fails on the big chrome volume control category!

[shimsheemer]

Yep, understood! Doesn't look too bad in the flesh though, honest guv...

[TouringTash]

matt black it.

[shimsheemer]

Have a small circle of black vinyl that may do the trick, the actual outer part of the dial is rubberised black so it should look good. And if I mess it up I could just peel it off.

[vendetta]

That's the same head unit as mine I think they look great chrome volume control doesn't stand out to much

[harry_p]

I think the alpines look allot better in the flesh, they're actually a fairly handsome unit, and their iPod connectivity is the best around imho.

The most oem looking headunits I've seen lately have been some cheap ones in halfords, can't remember if they were sendai or ripspeed own brand, however I think they have blue illumination which spoils it, and they probably sound horrible too!

[iDreamBeemer]

I'm choosing the alpine 9880r but that has the silver knob but what about this one?

http://www.caraudiogiant.co.uk/shop/by- ... d_906.html

[DanThe]

This is what I have in mine





Great stereo, DAB, CD/MP3, has an aux in for your ipod or whatever, and loads of other guff that doesnt really interest me. I like it that much I have one in my E34 also

The one in the pic is a burgundy colour but mine is more black/grey

[Dezzy]

Another vote for Becker gp. Mine is one of the last new available and it's mint!!!

If you can find one second hand snap it up

[lowey]

As mentioned by idreambeemer, here is a pic of the Alpine 9880r. Apologies for the crap pic, but you get the general idea of the amber illumination.
Alpine is the best unit I have ever tried, got the USB extension in the glove compartment too. And the big silvery knob doesn't look out of place either.

[richardlkay]

I have one of these in mine



Sony CDX GT33U

Illumination is more red than orange, but there's not much in it.

[iDreamBeemer]

Had the Alpine 9880r installed this weekend and really pleased! The display is much more dark smoked than silver than I was expecting and it really suits the e30.

OK, in bright sunlight the buttons are green (even with the amber backlight) but you don't see this most of the time.

[Cotty]

Becker Mexico Pro ftw I picked mine up a few years ago for GBP250 it goes well with the E30 dash

Only time I have had a problem is when on one of the hottest days last year my fan failed so I had to put the heater on FULL with all the windows open. A temp warning came up and it turned its self off, self presevation.

Once cooled down it still works fine

[325isporttech1]

An oldskool kenwood mask tape player with an mp3 changer is my setup of preference, looks great in an e30 dash