Potentially a Good Alternative to BMW's lackluster Head Unit
Written: Jan 13 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Essential to anyone with ears and/or musical taste- Factory 3 series system SUCKS
Cons: Must purchase seperate adapter to use steering wheel controls
The Bottom Line: If you like music and own a 3 series, you NEED this. Trust me! Even a head unit on stock speakers is great improvement!
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| nick1326's Full Review: American International BMW-K300 '97-02 BMW Install... |
While most people would probably agree there's not much to be said about a fit-kit, this is BMW here and there is quite alot to be said. I'm gonna try and wrap it up short-and-sweet.
The Actual Fit Kit: It is a molded piece of plastic- it's made quite well, the only complaint about it is the texture of the plastic doesn't PERFECTLY match the BMW dash plastic, but it is very close and offers a very nice look for those trying to improve the factory radio in their 3 series!
The REAL Implications: If you're reading this, then you probably have already investigated a system for your 3 series, and most likely, you've come to the conclusion that the "Business CD" AND the "Harmon Kardon" head units SUCK! Aside from a mediocre signal quality, the lack of RCA pre-outs makes it virtually impossible to install an amp without a signal-converter like the Peripheral VEN4. Even with a VEN4, the signal is low in quality and your music will not have the same transients. BMW used a unique signal to try and overcome noise inherent to the chassis- They actually filter out signal material that is THE SAME across lines- all wires are done twisted-pair, so since speakers are an electro-magnet, BMW's theory is to REMOVE noise from the lines, rather than try to prevent it from getting there- which is a natural tendency in a car where all sorts of wires are stuck in and about hidden within the confines of your car's skeleton! BMW's thinking is certainly CLEVER, but the net result is that all amps use RCA inputs- AND even the one's the use speaker-level inputs can't use BMW's signal, becaus of the way they filter the noise out. a/d/s/ new PQ series amps are THE ONLY amps I know of that can take this type of signal- and they still sound better with the VEN4 AND they sound WAY BETTER with an aftermarket head unit.
With the fit kit, my Alpine 7940 single-DIN fits very nicely in the dash and with the amber-on siwtchable dsipaly, matches the 3 series' dash illumination perfectly. The Alpine looks very natural in the car- the only sacrifice is the steering wheel controls- which 1) can be gotten back with an adapter and 2) ARE WELL WORTH SACRIFICING FOR THE AUDIO QUALITY YOU GAIN FROM AN AFTERMARKET UNIT!!!! I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH!!! NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE!
anyhow, the fit-kit works well and for 20 bucks (or thereabouts, perhaps less on ebay) you can retro-fit a DIN size head unit easily into your dash. The passenger side and middle dash-trim pieces pry off (GENTLY PLEASE) and 2 screws come out the remove the factory unit. the aftermarket radio slides in (no screws, pressure fit and is exact, so no need) and the fit-kit has the same stock 2 screws to hold it in place, preventing the new head unit from moving- easy and quick.
well made, worth the effort- VERY worth the effort for sound quality. Highly recomended as the first upgrade to your 3 series!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
nick1326
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Location: Long Island, NY
Reviews written: 232
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About Me:
Music, Motorcycles, Drumming, Surfing, the finest cigars and living life to its fullest...
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