mrk's HU - pics?

[mrk]

The CD head unit? that's what I had...and no they're not decent

I would have gotten the Clarion head unit which has no CD drive, it's a flat faced HU only with rear USB connection since I never use CDs (USB connection in glovebox) but the damned HU from Clarion has a blue lit display and blue key illumination only....looks damned nice though with touch buttons and everything :/

Thanks for the compliments, I guess :O

 

[Biohazard]

No, they are rubbish.

Which begins the BMW Audio nightmare

Replace the HU then, wiring and make lovely cut outs for bigger speakers with a tin opener..

 

[Sparky]

It doesn't, it looks rubbish but mrk is such a talented photographer everything he shoots looks awesome. He even manages to make his phone sat on his desk look like a work of art.

Aftermarket stereos in BMW's = ARGHGHGHHG just no.

I also agree with this but , prefer function over form. When it comes time to sell on i will just put the Business unit back in and the next owner can enjoy the dull thud of an excuse for bass to their hearts content.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I intend to get around to a proper audio install at some point - quality amp, decent speakers, decent sub all run off the stock BMW BM54 radio unit as part of the navigation system. IMHO this is the best option.

 

[Sparky]

I dont have the sat nav and retro-fitting is a PITA from what i hear. Ideally i would to have loved to keep the stock HU but ,having no RCA out or anything meant an upgrade of some kind anyway.

 

[Wicksta]

I dont have the sat nav and retro-fitting is a PITA from what i hear. Ideally i would to have loved to keep the stock HU but ,having no RCA out or anything meant an upgrade of some kind anyway.

Retrofitting is not a PITA at all, it's a mornings work. It involves removing a couple of seats and some trim. I'm about to do it again to my 325i touring once I order the loom. Total cost with a 16:9 screen and a mk4 nav computer will be about £400 once I sell my business CD head unit.

 

[Django x2]

BMW individual audio is where it's at. If only I'd got one with it in!

Having said that, the standard stereo in the E60 is a far cry from the E46 / E39 units, at least it gets some subs!

 

[s0ck]

Mrk could put some turds in place of the HU and make it good look with his fancy photography.

he is pr0, fairplay.

 

[Django x2]

Hi skillage is is a fair point actualy. Mrk, what settings were used for that shot?

 

[Sparky]

Retrofitting is not a PITA at all, it's a mornings work. It involves removing a couple of seats and some trim. I'm about to do it again to my 325i touring once I order the loom. Total cost with a 16:9 screen and a mk4 nav computer will be about £400 once I sell my business CD head unit.

I was told the cost was closer to £1000,where can you purchase them for that price?

 

[Django x2]

A bordmonitor and MK4 Computer will set you back £800 notes if you are lucky. You then need the loom. I'd be interested to see where you can get these cheaper.

 

[Scania]

I intend to get around to a proper audio install at some point - quality amp, decent speakers, decent sub all run off the stock BMW BM54 radio unit as part of the navigation system. IMHO this is the best option.

Whats the point?

You've had the car a while and I'd guess your considering replacement options however difficult.

Imo, you'd merely spend a wad of cash on a system that you'd get some use from but would be a bonus to the cars next owner, a bonus that you'll see little return from as it'll have little effect on the cars resale value.

Plan the audio upgrade into the purchase fund of the next chariot imo.

hey, its your money though and if your keeping the car, then go for it.

 

[mrk]

I think Fox said the GF won't be best pleased with a new car altogether etc hence wy the upgrades to the existing automobile

 

[paradigm]

He also said he wouldn't ever get rid of the e39 as it is worth about as much as a handful of slug pellets.

 

[Rilot]

Apart from the screen the 9100 appears to be the same. So I can confidently say that the e46 hifi option is much better than the MKi9200.

Fair enough. I was under the impression that only the 9200 was 4 channel.
Personally, I dont think the E46 system sounds good at all. However, I have only driven and listened to models up to 2002 and I don't know what system was fitted to the 330i and 330d I drove. All I know is that they sounded awful with muddy bass and no definition with the highs. Maybe I've not listened to the hifi option version.

Remember, that my Parrot system is amped up and is using a sub and fairly expensive aftermarket speakers. It was a good option for retaining a stock look while getting a good hifi system. I guarentee you my system using the Parrot as a base sounds better than any E46 factory system. And this is coming from someone who's owned a Lexus with the Hifi system and an Audi A8 with the Bose DSP system so I know what good factory Hifi sounds like.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I was told the cost was closer to £1000,where can you purchase them for that price?

You can't, he got a good deal off a mate.

 

[Sparky]

You can't, he got a good deal off a mate.

I see, was confused as i couldnt get anywhere near those prices.

 

[Howard]

I must be the only one who doesnt think aftermarket stuff in the BMW dashes looks too bad then. I value audio quality quite highly anyway, so I'm not fussed if it doesn't quite look as smooth as OEM, but that's just me

 

[iaind]

I think it depends on the HU you get, one of halfords own ripspeed finest will look terrible, but something nice like a Becker would look a lot nicer

 

[mrk]

The Becker ones don't look any different to a Pioneer/Alpine etc, the material and colour coding is spot on but the styel/layout and "non flushness" of the fascia itself is that of any non OEM HU and it won't fit in the entire gap of the E46 DIN anyway so you'll still have the gap on the sides with empty space.