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-   -   replacing factory ZHP stereo (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44919)

swchang 11-01-2003 09:58 PM
replacing factory ZHP stereo
 
Okay, some confusing issues about replacing the factory receiver with an aftermarket...

I stopped by a dealership today, and the salesman told me that if I get NAV for my 2004 ZHP, it would be pretty much impossible to replace the stereo with an aftermarket MP3/CD receiver. He said that if I wanted a new stereo, it'd be better to just replace the tray with a new stereo, so that I'd have two. But even then, since the NAV is hooked up to the speakers, I'd be better off not getting NAV.

Also, he told me that even if I don't get NAV, to replace the stereo would be tricky because of the hidden cassette player behind the face. He said if I replace it I might void some warranty.

I'm not sure how much he really knew about, well, anything that he said. Does anyone know if any of the above sounds right? I'd really appreciate any light shed on the matter...

swchang 11-02-2003 02:34 AM
Um, wait a minute. Was the salesman I talked to completely wrong about the cassette player? From the BMW website, it doesn't look like it comes with one. Just FM/AM/CD...

Nick325xiT 5spd 11-02-2003 04:44 AM
He's COMPLETELY right about Nav.

He's not correct about the regular stereo. It is a pain in the ass, and you may get **** from your dealer, though.

LDV330i 11-02-2003 06:21 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by swchang
Okay, some confusing issues about replacing the factory receiver with an aftermarket...

Also, he told me that even if I don't get NAV, to replace the stereo would be tricky because of the hidden cassette player behind the face. He said if I replace it I might void some warranty.
The default stereo comes with a sincle CD player. There is a no cost option to have the stereo come with cassette player. Both of those are part of the receiver "box" so there are no hidden players.

You may want to do a search on this issue. I believe that you will find that replacing the stereo will not be a plug-and-play swap.

mquetel 11-02-2003 07:22 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by swchang
Okay, some confusing issues about replacing the factory receiver with an aftermarket...

I stopped by a dealership today, and the salesman told me that if I get NAV for my 2004 ZHP, it would be pretty much impossible to replace the stereo with an aftermarket MP3/CD receiver. He said that if I wanted a new stereo, it'd be better to just replace the tray with a new stereo, so that I'd have two. But even then, since the NAV is hooked up to the speakers, I'd be better off not getting NAV.

Also, he told me that even if I don't get NAV, to replace the stereo would be tricky because of the hidden cassette player behind the face. He said if I replace it I might void some warranty.

I'm not sure how much he really knew about, well, anything that he said. Does anyone know if any of the above sounds right? I'd really appreciate any light shed on the matter...
What are your motivations for changing out the OEM headunit? The only one I saw in your post was MP3. If that is the case, you have a couple of options regardless of if you go NAV or not that let you keep the OEM unit:

- Get the AUX-IN adapter for the head-unit. This essentially provides a line in to your stereo for any device such as iPod or XM radio etc.

- Add an Alpine MP3 CD changer to your car.

Search on this forum for the appropriate keywords, you will find tons of info. BTW: I've never seen a modern BMW with an aftermarket headunit that did not look like ass... :thumbdwn: keep the OEM headunit and if you want the NAV, get it... it is very cool.

mquetel 11-02-2003 07:23 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ff
Just a heads up: Whichever stereo you choose to replace the stock unit, make sure it's designed SPECIFICALLY for the ZHP. If it doesn't have the 'Designed for ZHP' logo on the box, then it won't work. I wasted a few grand on head units before I figured this out.
:bustingup :bustingup

swchang 11-02-2003 10:49 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by mquetel
What are your motivations for changing out the OEM headunit? The only one I saw in your post was MP3. If that is the case, you have a couple of options regardless of if you go NAV or not that let you keep the OEM unit:

- Get the AUX-IN adapter for the head-unit. This essentially provides a line in to your stereo for any device such as iPod or XM radio etc.

- Add an Alpine MP3 CD changer to your car.

Search on this forum for the appropriate keywords, you will find tons of info. BTW: I've never seen a modern BMW with an aftermarket headunit that did not look like ass... :thumbdwn: keep the OEM headunit and if you want the NAV, get it... it is very cool.
Yeah, it'd be to get the MP3 functionality. Well, that and because an Alpine headunit would provide more power to the speakers, I'd think. Do you know the specs of the HK stereo provided with the ZHP?

I don't think an iPod would work for me. It'd be a pain to connect and disconnect it every time I drove. An MP3 changer or replacing the receiver I think is my best bet. I guess I'll call a BMW service center and ask about switching out the head unit, but do you know how a changer would work? Can you get that in-dash, or is the Alpine unit glovebox or trunk? Does it function well with the factory stereo controls, i.e. will the CD-text info scroll across the screen?

Thanks. :)

autobahn 11-03-2003 04:28 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by LDV330i
The default stereo comes with a sincle CD player. There is a no cost option to have the stereo come with cassette player. Both of those are part of the receiver "box" so there are no hidden players.

You may want to do a search on this issue. I believe that you will find that replacing the stereo will not be a plug-and-play swap.
Think the cassette option was dropped for 2004. Did not see that option in the 2004 E46 Sedan brochure. Was in the 2003 brochure.

mbr129 11-03-2003 05:42 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by swchang
Yeah, it'd be to get the MP3 functionality. Well, that and because an Alpine headunit would provide more power to the speakers, I'd think. Do you know the specs of the HK stereo provided with the ZHP?

I don't think an iPod would work for me. It'd be a pain to connect and disconnect it every time I drove. An MP3 changer or replacing the receiver I think is my best bet. I guess I'll call a BMW service center and ask about switching out the head unit, but do you know how a changer would work? Can you get that in-dash, or is the Alpine unit glovebox or trunk? Does it function well with the factory stereo controls, i.e. will the CD-text info scroll across the screen?

Thanks. :)
I noticed we have the same car. I also have a 190E 2.6. How do you like it? How many miles? Is is eating oil like mine?

By the way, no need to keep explaining us that you want to do this and that to your "ZHP stereo." The car is just a 330i, and for the purposes of the stereo, it might qas well be a 325 wagon. You may even get more responses by saying you have a question about your 3-series' stereo, since only a few people have ZHP's.

andy_thomas 11-03-2003 06:04 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by swchang
Okay, some confusing issues about replacing the factory receiver with an aftermarket...

I stopped by a dealership today, and the salesman told me that if I get NAV for my 2004 ZHP, it would be pretty much impossible to replace the stereo with an aftermarket MP3/CD receiver. He said that if I wanted a new stereo, it'd be better to just replace the tray with a new stereo, so that I'd have two. But even then, since the NAV is hooked up to the speakers, I'd be better off not getting NAV.

Also, he told me that even if I don't get NAV, to replace the stereo would be tricky because of the hidden cassette player behind the face. He said if I replace it I might void some warranty.

I'm not sure how much he really knew about, well, anything that he said. Does anyone know if any of the above sounds right? I'd really appreciate any light shed on the matter...
If you had a 330i or 325i I would probably have been able to tell you the score, but since you have a "ZHP" I'm afraid my advice would be quite invalid - sorry!

:)

Go and have a look at the NAV (why capitals?) system and you will see what the dealer is talking about. The navigation system is integrated with the stereo - so if you get the navigation system you cannot then change the stereo because it *is* the stereo.

You can stick with the stock stereo (a CD player for US market) and get BMW's aftermarket navigation system. If you really must have an aftermarket stereo, you can then rip out the BMW CD player and stick in whatever you like. However you need to be sure that BMW's aftermarket navigation system will work with your chosen aftermarket head unit - otherwise you'll never be able to hear the navigation system, well, navigating you.

Nick325xiT 5spd 11-03-2003 06:06 AM
Note: BMW's aftermarket navigation system is not available here.

mquetel 11-03-2003 06:34 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by swchang
Yeah, it'd be to get the MP3 functionality. Well, that and because an Alpine headunit would provide more power to the speakers, I'd think. Do you know the specs of the HK stereo provided with the ZHP?

I don't think an iPod would work for me. It'd be a pain to connect and disconnect it every time I drove. An MP3 changer or replacing the receiver I think is my best bet. I guess I'll call a BMW service center and ask about switching out the head unit, but do you know how a changer would work? Can you get that in-dash, or is the Alpine unit glovebox or trunk? Does it function well with the factory stereo controls, i.e. will the CD-text info scroll across the screen?

Thanks. :)
I think most, if not all of your questions have been asked and answered on bimmerfest before. For example, using the keywords of "MP3" and "changer" and "Alpine" I found these:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ght=alpine+mp3
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ght=alpine+mp3
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ht=mp3+changer

Give that search function a try, it allows you to make use of the wealth of knowledge that has been documented on this board. :angel:

TD 11-03-2003 06:43 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by swchang
Okay, some confusing issues about replacing the factory receiver with an aftermarket...

I stopped by a dealership today, and the salesman told me that if I get NAV for my 2004 ZHP, it would be pretty much impossible to replace the stereo with an aftermarket MP3/CD receiver. He said that if I wanted a new stereo, it'd be better to just replace the tray with a new stereo, so that I'd have two. But even then, since the NAV is hooked up to the speakers, I'd be better off not getting NAV.

Also, he told me that even if I don't get NAV, to replace the stereo would be tricky because of the hidden cassette player behind the face. He said if I replace it I might void some warranty.

I'm not sure how much he really knew about, well, anything that he said. Does anyone know if any of the above sounds right? I'd really appreciate any light shed on the matter...
ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP


Arrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Why? Why? Why?

Dr. Phil 11-03-2003 06:59 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by TD
ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP, ZHP


Arrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Why? Why? Why?
Because we can :dunno:

:lmao:

:bigpimp:

TD 11-03-2003 07:03 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Phil
Because we can :dunno:

:lmao:

:bigpimp:
But even the M3 guys are smart enough to know that their stereos are identical to the stereos in "ergualr" E46s. Why are you ZHP guys so consistently dense about this?

I'm waiting to see a post asking about the special ZHP floormats.

Dr. Phil 11-03-2003 07:16 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by TD
But even the M3 guys are smart enough to know that their stereos are identical to the stereos in "ergualr" E46s. Why are you ZHP guys so consistently dense about this?

I'm waiting to see a post asking about the special ZHP floormats.
Do you mean like this one?

:D :lmao:

Jspeed 11-03-2003 10:24 AM
Woah guys, wait a minute. There *is* a difference between the ZHP headunit and the non-ZHP one. When you turn the volume knob on the ZHP, the volume goes up faster than the regular stereo! No, it's not actually louder, but it seems like you have a more powerful system b/c you only have to twist the knob a little bit to get lots of sound!

j/k... :angel:

swchang 11-03-2003 03:29 PM
Heh, yeah, that's my bad. I actually do know there's no difference between the HK units, but it's not a conscious thing to throw in the "ZHP." :dunno:

Anyway, I guess I'll either just switch it out, especially since the cassette thing can't complicate matters anymore, or I'll get the MP3 changer.

swchang 11-03-2003 04:01 PM
Actually, after reading through the threads that mquetel kindly provided, I guess I'll just switch out the unit completely instead of bothering with iPod or MP3 changer. I want the display to scroll my song titles... :D


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