Re: radio/cd player

[Brendon Macaraeg <brendonm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I believe on '96 E36 models and newer you are locked into
BMW's CD changer units (they're manufactured by Alpine -- the
connection they use is proprietary, e.g., not an standard DIN connector
found on other manufacturer's CD changer units -- they're might be
an adapter available though).
Your radio head unit is also most likely made by Alpine (as are the factory 
alarm units).

Look for a plug in the trunk marked "CD Ready" or check the options list of 
your car if provided to you
If so, the wiring is already in the car -- you just need to buy the CD 
changer for the trunk and find
the connector and plug it in.  Fairly easy (I did this myself when I bought
my 328ia used).  You can find the CD changers used on Ebay for ~$200
(or check the www.bmwcca.org site classifieds : 
http://www.bmwcca.org/classfd/old/CLASSIFIED_frames.shtml).

Check http://www.eskimo.com/~dalus/bmw/bmw_e36.html
under the stereo section for more info.

Good luck,
- -B



At 06:09 AM 11/16/01 -0500, you wrote:
>Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2001 06:01:29 -0600
>From: "Karlette Schoen" <kkschoen@domain.elided>
>Subject: radio/cd player
>
>I bought a used 1996 318ti bmw.  It doesn't have a cd player but a nice
>radio with an option to put one in the back.  I am wondering what make this
>radio is and what cd players I can add.  I am also wondering if it would be
>in my best interest to purchase a new unit and put it in since technology
>has changed.  If you buy a unit to attach to it in the back is it only fm
>quality?  I would prefer stereo quality and a one cd at a time unit in the
>front is okay too.    Any thoughts would be appreciated.
>
>thanks in advance,
>K.

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