E46 CD Changer Installation

[Carl Geenen <C.Geenen@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Fellow Enthusiasts!!

I'm sorry about the length of this post.  If you are not interested in the
subject, please fast forward to your heart's content!!  Yesterday I
successfully installed a new CD changer in my new E46 1999 323iA.  It was a
whole lot easier than I thought!!  For those who may want to try it
themselves, here's how I did it.

First, I researched everything before I lifted the first tool.  I had all
the parts, tools, and supplies to complete the job, and a pretty good idea
of how to do it.  Then I set to work.  Here are all the parts:

BMW CD Changer (pn 82-11-1-469-404)
Bracket/cover kit (pn 82-11-1-470-416)
Audio extension cable kit (82-11-1-470-427)
4-inch wire tie wraps w/adhesive mounting pads (home supply store)

And the tools:

Drill w/11 mm (7/16) drill bit
Panel clip removal tool
Allen wrench set

The drill bit and allen wrench set are available at any home supply store
like Orchard or Home Depot.  I got the panel clip removal tool at Pep Boys
($8.69).  They called it an upholstery removal tool.

Actually, I started Saturday night by enlarging two holes under the rear
shelf where the CD changer would be installed.  The instructions that come
with the Bracket/cover kit (pn 82-11-1-470-416) tell you which holes need to
be enlarged.  BTW, the instructions state clearly that the kit is for an
E46.  After enlarging the holes, I lightly scraped away any metal bits
clinging to the holes using a flat head screwdriver.  Then I touched up any
exposed metal with my BMW touch up paint.  Drilling and touching up took
about 15 minutes:  5 minutes worth of work and 10 minutes to set up and take
down.

Sunday morning I used the panel clip removal tool to pop the 2 round pins
that hold the left side interior trunk panel in place, and removed the left
rear inside light bulb cover.  There's a little clip that sticks up on the
panel-side of the light bulb cover, pull it towards the center of the trunk
while pulling the cover towards the front of the car - it pops right out!!
You have to wiggle it a little here and there and bend the top in slightly,
but the top of the trunk panel should tilt enough towards you so you can see
the wiring harnesses behind it.  The wires I was looking for were right
there easy to see.  All I did was connect the audio extension cables (pn
82-11-1-470-427) to the plugs on the open end of the harness.  There's even
a handy sleeve on the harness that you can pull up to cover the connections.
I installed one of the tie wraps and mounting pads to keep the wires in
place and reinstalled the trunk panel and light bulb cover.  So easy!!  It
took the better part of 10 minutes, mostly because I took the time to look
at all the stuff behind the trunk panel.

Continuing to follow the instructions that came with the bracket/cover kit,
I mounted the CD changer into the bracket, connected the wires to the back
of the CD changer, and then mounted the bracket/CD assembly to the underside
of the rear shelf.  The bracket kit comes with these two little fastener
inserts that go into the enlarged holes.  As you tighten the mounting
screws, the inserts get tighter in the holes.  Again, so easy!!  Maybe 10
minutes max.  The hardest part was when one of the holes didn't quite line
up.  No problem!!  The bracket has a little flexibility and I was able to
apply a little pressure to "warp" the bracket to line up with the hole.
After I got all three mounting screws started, I tightened them up with the
allen wrenches.

I used a few more tie wraps and mounting pads to hide the wires out of
sight, put on the CD changer padded cover, and I was done!!  Total elapsed
time, including the Saturday night work and all clean up was almost 40
minutes!!  The key was to have all the parts and tools I needed and know
what I was doing *before* doing anything.

The first CD I played to test it out was Renee Fleming's "The Beautiful
Voice."  She came through loud and clear.  Success!!  All in all, I spent
$612, tools and parts included (I already had the drill and allen wrenches),
a savings of almost $300 from what the BMW place wanted to charge me ($899).

Now I'm ready to tackle my next project:  fog lights.  Is this something I
can do myself?  Is the car pre-wired or will I have to run the wires myself?

Thanks again to all who helped me be successful with the CD changer
installation!!

Sincerely yours,
Carl T. Geenen
1999 E46 323 iA

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