1989 Head Unit Replacement Help

Hey guys, I'm looking to replace my head unit since whoever owned the car before I did, decided it would be fun to stick a screwdriver in the cassette player and bust it all up, which caused a small fire in the radio yesterday (I'm guessing some stripped wires must of shorted). I'm new to this stuff, so i'm not sure what to do, I do know that a harness adapter won't work since the early models of the e34 have weird wire connections. Could anyone help me with the procedure for doing this, like which wires to splice and hook to the new head unit wires?

Well with up to 10 speakers and remote cd playerand a unique BMW antena conn. you dont want to be guessing with 30 small wires. Ebay has the correct harness block that allows you plug it into the existing multi -pin connector then splice a new head unit onto those wires. Bentleys has the radios color code. And your new unit will have instructions and color code. Or just take your new Alpine cd player/head unit to Best Buy electronics for about 100 they will install the correct adapters needed and the unit. I have went both ways. on one car i had it installed on another car i followed their lead and did it my self. unless you are very skilled at end splicing .I suggest have a pro do it.

Originally Posted by luckydog

Well with up to 10 speakers and remote cd playerand a unique BMW antena conn. you dont want to be guessing with 30 small wires. Ebay has the correct harness block that allows you plug it into the existing multi -pin connector then splice a new head unit onto those wires. Bentleys has the radios color code. And your new unit will have instructions and color code. Or just take your new Alpine cd player/head unit to Best Buy electronics for about 100 they will install the correct adapters needed and the unit. I have went both ways. on one car i had it installed on another car i followed their lead and did it my self. unless you are very skilled at end splicing .I suggest have a pro do it.

the '89s don't have the single multi-pin connector.

Anyone?

can you match them with the photos here:
http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Upgrade/Stereo_radio.htm

I can tell you the 95 uses a different CD changer than earlier models. I do not know what the differences are. However, the one I purchased would not fit earlier models. Just a FYI.

I have that photo, but since i have the 89, i'll have to follow the very last photo on that page. What i'm wondering is if i'll need a line out converter since there's and amp built into the bmw and new aftermarket stereos usually boost the output to like 50 watts