standard 318is head unit

[lhd220turbo]

Gents;

what did the standard head unit look like in a 318is? are they like hens teeth to get hold of?

the only non standard part on my car is the head unit, and i'd like a standard one?

its a H plate 318is if that makes any difference, i guess it was Blaupunkt?

[Speedtouch]

I don't think any BMWs from the 1980s came fitted with a stereo as standard - you had to specify one on the options list.

Indeed, most E30s were fitted with Blaupunkts, such as the London, Melbourne, Montreal, Vancouver, etc.

[lhd220turbo]

ohh right, so a stereo wasnt factory fitted? i've still got the original speakers which are blaupunkt

[Speedtouch]

I don't think so, as were many German cars of that period from the likes of VW, Mercedes, etc.

Everything was an optional extra, and often, rather expensive!

[polsta]

The 2 318is i had, had a pioneer factory stereos

[lhd220turbo]

cheers.

i take it even BMW wouldnt be able to tell me what the original stereo was?

[jmc330i]

They should be able to if it was ordered with one from new.

My 91 Sport had a pioneer headunit and 6 disc changer from new. I got a print out of the options list and it was on there, and it wasn't cheap!

[beemerbird]

There used to be a fairly detailed thread about this, but I cannot find it.

Very few E30s had factory supplied radio cassettes, as the cost was extortionate compared with other extras - and a radio was considered an 'extra'. Many cars had dealer fitted kit, often Blaupunkt, but not necessarily, as the original owner could have decided to save a few quid and go to his / her nearest in car audio place to have something put in.

The general consensus if you're going for the OEM look is that orange illumination is a must, Blaupunkt is desirable.

Hope this helps.

[lhd220turbo]

cheers for the help; i'll pop into BMW and see if they can shed any light. Lets just hope one pops up on ebay!

[smithysmith]

Mines a factory one and its a pioneer. With a flip up handle on the front allowing the whole unit to be removed to take with you.

[Morat]

I've still got one of those in a cupboard somewhere. The flip up handle is a bit of a stupid idea in retrospect, they just make the unit easier to steal because there's no way anyone is going to lug the whole thing round with them on a daily basis!
On the upside, they have an aux input on the front.

[bab-91]

Barry had a thread about this.

Basically you want the Blaupunkt SQR88!

[bss325i]

Non none of the blaupunkts or pioneers are factory fit. They will have been fitted by the selling BMW dealer or as fi said, an audio specialist.

There were a range of BMW's own branded stereos such as the Bavaria but these are very rare in UK supplied cars and tend to be on European or US spec cars.

Also, if the audio equipment was dealer fitted when new it will not come up on the factory spec into available from BMW dealers or on the web.

It should have details of it if you have the original BMW bill of sale for the car when new.

[bss325i]

Here is the thread in question but it was started by Trevor.

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 10&start=0

[bss325i]

For details on factory fit, not dealer fit E30 audio see here,

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?m ... 7263&hg=65

[jmc330i]

It should have details of it if you have the original BMW bill of sale for the car when new.

Sorry, that's what I'm thinking of rather than the options list.

[bab-91]

So what your saying is the best one is the SQR88?

Grand Job!

[bss325i]

Of the blaupunkts up to 1989, yes.

[Speedtouch]

I had a couple of '80s Blaupunkts in my E30s, IIRC, a London SQM37 and a Melbourne SQR26, pretty similar units except the Melbourne was a bit more upmarket, having such refinements as auto-reverse and cassette programme search (CPS).

They suit the E30 down to the ground, being very logical and functional in design, the first era of Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) digital tuners, and rather neat in their execution. Pretty reliable too; I didn't have any problems with mine.

I still have the pamphlets and circuit diagrams in the loft, amongst my stash of copies of 'The Courier'...

[J_A_C_K_Y_D]

I've got a Blaupunkt stereo that was in my 325i from new, it had an amp fitted in the boot and graphic equalizer mounted in the drivers footwell... I've still got it all if your interested?

[scott320i]

last month i got some parts from a AUS deliverd 318is still had the factory deck in it i didnt think it was until the owner pointed out the BMW roundel !
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl= ... CDcQrQMwBQ

very common factory deck in aus in a lot of cars from 88 till 92ish

[lhd220turbo]

I've got a Blaupunkt stereo that was in my 325i from new, it had an amp fitted in the boot and graphic equalizer mounted in the drivers footwell... I've still got it all if your interested?

i've found one now thanks