Z3 Roadster (E36/7) Recommended Radio Upgrade for Z3 HK Subbed Amped

What do you recommend I upgrade my head unit to in my 2000 Z3 HK Premium System with an Amp and Sub Woofer.

I heard that some head units will just plug and play without extra work while some you have to splice to get amp to work, etc.

There are a lot of options on crutchfield and a ton of threads.

I know there are a ton of threads on this but none of them recommend a certain head unit that is compatible with the old harness and amp.

I just replaced mine all i did was solder the conector for the harness remove the old raidio install the new one and all done.i did get some snapping in the speakers at first but turned off the loud and so far so good i also have a HK sys

I replaced my head unit with a Kenwood KDC-HD552U CD, USB, HD-FM Receiver and wiring harness adapter. Took only a couple of minutes. Kept the original amp and speakers which were still good. Best bang for the buck.

Got everything from Crutchfield.

I guess you couldn't get the code to work? I tried kenwood and JVC head units. Performance was good, but was very unhappy with the displays, especially with the top down, it would be unreadable.

Originally Posted by nfunk

I replaced my head unit with a Kenwood KDC-HD552U CD, USB, HD-FM Receiver and wiring harness adapter. Took only a couple of minutes. Kept the original amp and speakers which were still good. Best bang for the buck.

Got everything from Crutchfield.

Nfunk,

Do you have the HK system with the center seat sub???

I am looking for a model to work with the HK system that has the center seat sub. I might just buy this one you have.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113HD55...DC-HD552U.html


My understanding is there is a conflict if I get an ampped head unit because I have 2 amps in my system. I was told to get a new head unit not ampped and then replace the amps and speakers. Anyone done all of this?

I had the HK system with the amps in the trunk and the center rear console subwoofer. I had the same concern but when I called the tech's at Crutchfield they told me that the amps have no problems with this head unit. I just had to use the connectors to mate the head unit to the wiring harness adapter which took about 20 minutes. The actual installation, removing the old head unit and inserting the new head unit only took a couple of minutes.

The reason I picked this was price, and I wanted USB and HD FM stereo.

This is what I got.
Item Description Ship Qty B/O Qty Price Amount

113HD552U Kenwood KDC-HD552U CD Receiver
What's Included 1 0 139.99 139.99

669PP500 Posi-Products Connector Kit 16 pieces for Car Stereos
What's Included 1 0 6.49 6.49

0000090003 BMW Z3 96- MS 1 0 0.00 0.00
000SRSAIR Airbag Fact Sheet Crutchfield Air Bag Fact Sheet 1 0 0.00 0.00

000CARCAT Current Crutchfield Catalog Car Bounce Back 1 0 0.00 0.00

120709195 BMW Wire Harness receiver, 1990-up

What's Included 1 0 0.00 0.00
12040VW12 Motorola/Male to Volk/Female Antenna Adapter

Nfunk,

I am going to order the same one mate. Thanks for the help. Have you replaced the speakers , amp and sub yet? That is my next project after I change the guibo, the seal above the guibo, and the the vale cover gasket.

Have you had to replace your clutch and guibo yet?

It's pretty cool to know that other people are going through the same shenanigans.

Kept the speakers and amps. I know changing out the speakers and amp will improve the sound, but I want to keep it as original as possible. Plus I dread replacing all of the speakers, amps and rewiring the system.

Originally Posted by nfunk

Kept the speakers and amps. I know changing out the speakers and amp will improve the sound, but I want to keep it as original as possible. Plus I dread replacing all of the speakers, amps and rewiring the system.

I have no choice but to replace my speakers and sub because someone (name will be kept a secret) borrowed my car and blew the speakers.

I plan on replacing all the speakers but instead of spending the insane $800 on a new sub, I am going to try to replace the cone.

Must have a son! I would have that un-named person to lend a hand in the repairs. LOL