Radio replacement for a Z3

[Gareth Morris]

Hi all, I have a 2000 year 2.00 ltr 6 cylinder which was fitted wit a bmw cd changer. The cd changer failed and was removed. I now want tit a modern Bluetooth radio/cd player in the dash. i have looked at the passenger footwell speaker and it has some circuitry bolted to it, is this crossover circuitry?
Which ISO plug do I need to make a modern radio/cd work with the existing front speakers and door tweeters and rear speakers?

Gareth

 

[137699]

Hi all, I have a 2000 year 2.00 ltr 6 cylinder which was fitted wit a bmw cd changer. The cd changer failed and was removed. I now want tit a modern Bluetooth radio/cd player in the dash. i have looked at the passenger footwell speaker and it has some circuitry bolted to it, is this crossover circuitry?
Which ISO plug do I need to make a modern radio/cd work with the existing front speakers and door tweeters and rear speakers?

Gareth

Why not do as I suggested further back on this thread and just add a Bluetooth module to the original BMW radio?
IME aftermarket stereos look gash in the Z3 - they just look stupidly out of place, plus they actually sound pretty awful also in comparison with the original BMW system - presumably due to the way they're wired up and the fact that they usually bypass the onboard amps...

The system in mine (all original speakers & headunit) sounds absolutely unbelievable and now it's able to stream via Bluetooth and do hands-free calling, I can't imagine why anyone would want to change it?

 

[Gareth Morris]

Why not do as I suggested further back on this thread and just add a Bluetooth module to the original BMW radio?
IME aftermarket stereos look gash in the Z3 - they just look stupidly out of place, plus they actually sound pretty awful also in comparison with the original BMW system - presumably due to the way they're wired up and the fact that they usually bypass the onboard amps...

The system in mine (all original speakers & headunit) sounds absolutely unbelievable and now it's able to stream via Bluetooth and do hands-free calling, I can't imagine why anyone would want to change it?

Thanks for the reply. The cd changer died...repeatedly and one channel went on the head. We found the cd changer in the boot a nuisance to keep changing. Anyway, I have removed speaker amp and got everything working and am happy with the result, sound quality and bluetooth. Thanks for your interest anyway.
p.s. the head unit was scrapped ages ago.

 

[137699]

Thanks for the reply. The cd changer died...repeatedly and one channel went on the head. We found the cd changer in the boot a nuisance to keep changing. Anyway, I have removed speaker amp and got everything working and am happy with the result, sound quality and bluetooth. Thanks for your interest anyway.
p.s. the head unit was scrapped ages ago.

I think you misunderstand - with my solution you do away with the CD changer anyway - you use the Bluetooth module INSTEAD OF the CD Changer.
Replacement BMW headunits are pretty easy to source - in fact someone is selling one on this very forum at the moment....

 

[Michael Burridge]

My original BMW stereo was knackered when I got my car. As was the amp on the left footwell speaker so sound only came out of the rear speakers. I replaced the head unit with a Sony bluetooth / tuner. It’s only about haft the depth of the original and no CD player which is cool with me (not for the purist though). I replaced all the speakers and the door tweeters with the best I could afford (which meant adapting the wiring as I did away with the weird amp) and it sounds so much better. (I mean better than my mates with original head unit / speakers). Ideally I’d have liked to have kept it original but I’m pleased with the upgrade - even if it looks a bit gash

 

[Michael Burridge]

I found aftermarket stereos just look gash and out of place in the dash.
I fitted a BMW Business CD headunit & added a bluteooth module for it.
I now stream music from my phone which is mounted on a brodit mount which also then allows it to double-up as my sat nav.

Sounds really good (I've heard the cd headunit has better quality audio than the cassette version)

All looks period - no risk of theft of the radio & lights up the right colour alongside the dials unlike most aftermarket systems

That does look very good

 

[NabsNabsNabs]

The same radio (CD43) was used in various Land Rovers, MGs and Rovers.
If you buy one without the BMW logo then they're a LOT cheaper.

LR badged ones light up green - these go for about £80 on fleabay.
MG ones usually light up amber but some light up red (depending on which model they came from) - these go for about £110 on fleabay.
Rover ones light up red - same as BMW - these go for about £130 on fleabay.

You can then stick a BMW or "M" badge over the logo and it becomes a BMW unit.

Those prices are when they come up from genuine punters just selling a radio out of their car. There are some traders who buy them up cheap and then try to flog them on again for a lot more money as "BMW" units (often with "M" badges stuck over the old logo) but if you keep a watching brief on ebay you will get them cheap.

The one I have is a Rover unit - I paid £105 for it - plus £2 for the M badge (came as a pack of 4 so I have 3 spare now).

@ 137699 I'm in complete agreement with you for the look of the aftermarket head units, they just don't compliment the car - or at least the vibe I am going for in mine. Each to their own.

My CD autochanger was busted, but I just managed to fix this morning as a temporary stop gap before I get a bluetooth solution - What you have found may be it!

The other way I was thinking was using a Bluetooth FM transmitter, and use via the Radio to keep the CD changer in use. Has anyone tried this? I would expect the sound quality isn't quite as good, but keen to hear thoughts. It would be quite a bit cheaper and less intrusive. Its just a shame to disconnect the CD now I got it working again, and plus the prior owner left the 6 CDs that were stuck full of classic tunes from the 90s-00s so brought back all the memories and had a good laugh.
Otherwise, where did you stow the Bluetooth adaptor in yours? is it tucked behind the dash and head unit? I was also thinking I might be able to build a port for the 3mm jack/USB/SD card into one of the blank switch plates I have on mine....Will need some thought unless these can be bought....I could make do with the lighter socket but they look a bit bulky.

Oh, and I assume this will work with the Non Harmon Kardon set up installed in mine as well?

 

[Beggers]

Where did you get the phone cradle from?

 

[137699]

Where did you get the phone cradle from?

It's a Brodit mount with a halfords mount on it.

 

[hacker]

I also didn't want to change out the whole system. I'm using a Bluetooth transmitter called a Doozl, $25. Works great with the factory system in my 98 M Roadster. Still have the original crappy HK system though I've replaced four of the eight speakers over time. Only so much lipstick works on that pig!

Stopped using the truck mounted CD player. Only works on glass smooth roads, none here anymore! Best $25 I spent on that system for sure.

 

[Zephyr]

This is the Bluetooth module I used - works with the "Business CD" unit:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bluetoot...317902?hash=item19fa49b90e:g:1fUAAOSwDk5UHabx

Where did you put this? glove box? Seems quite big.

 

[137699]

Where did you put this? glove box? Seems quite big.

It's not very big at all - about 10cm in length. It's tucked in the centre console behind the radio.

 

[e30cabrio]

I'm picking up a '97 2.8 tomorrow with in dash cassette & trunk CD changer (supposedly working) Assuming all is well with the stereo, is this the adapter kit I need?

Bluetooth Handsfree A2DP Music USB Adapter CD43 C43 Business Fits BMW E36 E46 767791562468 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Bluetooth Handsfree A2DP Music USB Adapter CD43 C43 Business Fits BMW E36 E46 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Thank you!

 

[137699]

This is the one I have:

Bluetooth Music Hands free MP3 adapter Fits BMW E46 Z3 Business radio | eBay

 

[e30cabrio]

Thanks, looks the same, just UK vs USA ad.

 

[garbil]

The same radio (CD43) was used in various Land Rovers, MGs and Rovers.
If you buy one without the BMW logo then they're a LOT cheaper.

LR badged ones light up green - these go for about £80 on fleabay.
MG ones usually light up amber but some light up red (depending on which model they came from) - these go for about £110 on fleabay.
Rover ones light up red - same as BMW - these go for about £130 on fleabay.

You can then stick a BMW or "M" badge over the logo and it becomes a BMW unit.

Those prices are when they come up from genuine punters just selling a radio out of their car. There are some traders who buy them up cheap and then try to flog them on again for a lot more money as "BMW" units (often with "M" badges stuck over the old logo) but if you keep a watching brief on ebay you will get them cheap.

The one I have is a Rover unit - I paid £105 for it - plus £2 for the M badge (came as a pack of 4 so I have 3 spare now).

I have a 1997 BMW Z3 with the Alpine C33 Business AM/FM Radio with Cassette and weather band and 6 CD changer mounted in the trunck. I have had it repaired several times now and it has started having problems again. I am looking at replacing it with the Alpine CD 43 Business AM/FM Radio with cassette and CD unit. Has anyone done this exact replacemnt? If so, does the unit fit exactly and uses the same electrical harness that is already in the 1997 Z3 or do I need to buy and adapter harness?

 

[137699]

The CD43 unit is Blaupunkt, not Apline - and has CD player, not cassette..
But the wiring could be the same as other factory units.

 

[Stevo7682]

I have a 1997 BMW Z3 with the Alpine C33 Business AM/FM Radio with Cassette and weather band and 6 CD changer mounted in the trunck. I have had it repaired several times now and it has started having problems again. I am looking at replacing it with the Alpine CD 43 Business AM/FM Radio with cassette and CD unit. Has anyone done this exact replacemnt? If so, does the unit fit exactly and uses the same electrical harness that is already in the 1997 Z3 or do I need to buy and adapter harness?

Radio cassette player will fit straight in and wiring plug and play
The issue is the cd multi changer if the car is Not pre wired for cd it will have no changer power cable at rear also will have no data cable.
Both these could be retro fitted power cable hjust live and earth could be wired to battery or similar its the data cable thats the potential issue as runs under trims and carpets full length of car from boot to rear of radio i centre of dashboard.
Stephen.