I rarely play cds in my car, I always listen to the radio, or my iPod, but I'm kind of wanting to be able to listen to the occasional cd. I have no desire to spend $500 on something that I will rarely use, but is there one that will work with the 2002 navigation system that can be had for $200-$300?
Cheapest CD Changer
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You can get an Alpine unit (I forget the model number) for about $200 (I just saw a demo unit for $184 at Good Guys tonite), but I think you need $110 in converters. I know you have an iPod, but you can get one that plays MP3's for about $250 + converters (I'm sure they are required on this one). Do a search for 'MP3 changer' on this site and you will find the part numbers you need for either a regular Alpine CD changer or an Alpine MP3/CD changer.
I think you can also run a Pioneer changer with a converter or two, but I'm not positive. Hopefully some more knowledgable people here will chime in, I'm pretty new at this sorry to say.
Good luck!
--SONET
I think you can also run a Pioneer changer with a converter or two, but I'm not positive. Hopefully some more knowledgable people here will chime in, I'm pretty new at this sorry to say.
Good luck!
--SONET
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cd changer
Went to Mobile-One (car audio shop) and inquired about cd changers for my nav equiped 325i. The salesman said that the Alpines (630's) would not fit in the space allocated for it in the NAV Housing unit. It seems that is it is about 2 inches lacking in the width part. I would love to get an aftermarket one, I'm afraid I will have to settle for the OEM.
Went to Mobile-One (car audio shop) and inquired about cd changers for my nav equiped 325i. The salesman said that the Alpines (630's) would not fit in the space allocated for it in the NAV Housing unit. It seems that is it is about 2 inches lacking in the width part. I would love to get an aftermarket one, I'm afraid I will have to settle for the OEM.
From my research, the Alpine 630 is the only model that is compatible with the 2002 Nav equipped models -- and it does fit into the existing Nav houseing perfectly.
The unit, plus converter, plus installation should run you between $400 and $500 bucks. If you install it yourself you could probably get the whole thing for about $350 if you shop around. Just make sure you get the most up-to-date converter. The one that used to work on the 2001 models doesn't work for the 2002's.
Good luck.
The unit, plus converter, plus installation should run you between $400 and $500 bucks. If you install it yourself you could probably get the whole thing for about $350 if you shop around. Just make sure you get the most up-to-date converter. The one that used to work on the 2001 models doesn't work for the 2002's.
Good luck.
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Not to take away any of thaydith's response:dunno: The wiring warness should be tucked in the body. A couple of diy's are at
http://www.eskimo.com/~dalus/bmw/e46/stereo/e46_cd_changer_installation.html
and
http://www.eskimo.com/~dalus/bmw/e46/stereo/e46_cd_changer_installation.html
hopes this helps
http://www.eskimo.com/~dalus/bmw/e46/stereo/e46_cd_changer_installation.html
and
http://www.eskimo.com/~dalus/bmw/e46/stereo/e46_cd_changer_installation.html
hopes this helps
Thanks... but.
That does look pretty simple, though.
Thanks for your help, ronrich, but I should have mentioned that I have a 2002 325i. Does this differ in any way from the information you linked? I see that is for a '99. I think I read somewhere that the '02 MY is different.ronrich said:
That does look pretty simple, though.
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They wanted to charge me 995 for a 6 disc BMW changer added to my single cd player. I was like screw this.... I know it comes in a fancy box with a opening cage, but come on give me a break I can get a 200 dollar kenwood changer and it will even show the song titles! The stock unit might be out the door after a week...I could go for the Kenwood-911DV (DVD/CD/Monitor w/ 5.1 Surround Sound)
Steering Wheel Controls
I agree the BMW changer is a ripoff. I was not impressed.
I think I am going with the Alpine CMS630. I may be wrong about that part number, but it works with the stock head unit. I'll pair this with an Infinty Basslink and turn up the juice. Let me know if you try anything else. I am interested.
I saw that Kenwood too and it sure as hell looks nice. I also inquired about it and I understand the steering wheel controls will no longer work. I am guessing this does not concern you.Rufus330Ci said:
I agree the BMW changer is a ripoff. I was not impressed.
I think I am going with the Alpine CMS630. I may be wrong about that part number, but it works with the stock head unit. I'll pair this with an Infinty Basslink and turn up the juice. Let me know if you try anything else. I am interested.
Schnitzer - sorry for the delay. I have the navigation so there is a small door on the left side of my trunk that housed my navigation cd player. All I had to do was remove the carpet wall and sort through the wires that were there until I found the correct plugs. I plugged the wires in to the cd changer and mounted it. The only complaint I have is that if you burn your own CDs you can't see the title, and it also doesn't display the minutes and seconds of each song. Did I answer your question?
For the most part, yes.
thaydith,
Thank you. For the most part you have answered my questions. I am uncertain of a few things. I had read about this before I took delivery of my car and I assumed the changer mounts would just "be there" and removing the carpet wall and sorting through wires would be unnecessary. I have not opened it up, but I wonder if it looks the same without the NAV system. I also wonder if this changes anything with regard to the installation. From what I have seen, it should not. I would just like to know before I tear out that carpet wall.
thaydith,
Thank you. For the most part you have answered my questions. I am uncertain of a few things. I had read about this before I took delivery of my car and I assumed the changer mounts would just "be there" and removing the carpet wall and sorting through wires would be unnecessary. I have not opened it up, but I wonder if it looks the same without the NAV system. I also wonder if this changes anything with regard to the installation. From what I have seen, it should not. I would just like to know before I tear out that carpet wall.
thaydith said:
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One little warning though. There were two different sets of wires in the firewall. The first one I took out had a power plug but no data plug for the changer. Not knowing any better I pluged that power plug in the changer and contiuned looking for the data plug. Big Mistake. That plug must be putting out more than 3 ams because it blew the fuse in the changer. The correct wires are attached closely together. So they are not too hard to find (mine were behing the nav system) if you look carefully. I wasn't careful and had to change fuses. BTW, those fuses are really tough to pull out.
I'm not sure what it looks like when you don't have the nav. I would suspect that you won't have any mounting brackets if you don't have the nav. b/c in my car the nav. bracket and the CD changer bracket is one in the same. As far as the wires go you are almost guaranteed to have them there. If you are curious look on the bottom of your trunk lid - you will find some round tags that say what your car has been pre-wired for. I think all cars are pre-wired for Alarm, CD Changer, Phone, Garage Door Opener, and Radar Detector.
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If you don't have nav, the brackets and the proper carpet wall is not there. There is a separate install kit that includes the brackets, hardware, new "stuff" holder and CD magazine slot. The new carpet wall is another part you would have to pick up to finish the trunk.
I installed the OEM changer in my non-NAV 2001 330i and it was very easy to install. The hardest part was reinstalling the carpet wall. What a PITA.
Bob
I installed the OEM changer in my non-NAV 2001 330i and it was very easy to install. The hardest part was reinstalling the carpet wall. What a PITA.
Bob
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