Replacing e46 BMW widescreen head unit

PC2 · 24th August 2018, 21:15

Evening

Could you advise me. The e46 BMW widescreen head unit (from a BMW M3) has died on my 190 tourer. I have Harmon system.
Not got a lot of cash so should I buy another second hand one from a beemer at about £130 ebay, or is there a good alternative that can slot in without any hassle and is newer?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Madderz · 24th August 2018, 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by PC2

Evening

Could you advise me. The e46 BMW widescreen head unit (from a BMW M3) has died on my 190 tourer. I have Harmon system.
Not got a lot of cash so should I buy another second hand one from a beemer at about £130 ebay, or is there a good alternative that can slot in without any hassle and is newer?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Personally, since you've gone so far with updating the factory set up to what it should have been already I'd just find a good warranted replacement, I'm not overly keen on these Chinese units myself. There are some good DD's, but they can be very dear!

PC2 · 25th August 2018, 08:30

Thanks Madders - I though a number of members were keen on Naval's etc. The good double din replacements seem very expensive and you have to change a lot of the wiring too.
At the moment I can't tune the radio or pick CDs -very frustrating.

PC2 · 27th August 2018, 09:01

Does anyone else have a view before I buy another old BMW unit?

blaggard · 27th August 2018, 09:11

I just fitted an XTRONS head unit, can't fault it. Remember, the OEMs are pretty much all made in China anyway, as with mobile phones the factories make much of their profits making non-OEM branded units.

PC2 · 27th August 2018, 13:31

Blaggard

Did you have to get any extra wiring/connections etc?
Mine is currently double din, whereas xtrons are single din?
Was it an easy change?

blaggard · 27th August 2018, 14:31

Very easy, I bought one lead, everything else was included, the exact leads needed depend a little on the year and model of your car and the unit bought but I was very impressed with the included leads and adapters. I had to cut the plastic lugs off the sides (they are for BMW fitment) it fired up straight away and sounds great.
I paid just under £240 for the unit and lead from Amazon, an OEM unit would cost a vast amount and will in all probability be made i a Chinese factory, possibly the same one.

PC2 · 27th August 2018, 14:50

what about the double din issue? I'm not great on technicalities!
I have the Harmon system with steering wheel controls and multi cd player. Does all this connect up? I presume that is why mine is double din instead of single. What was yours?

blaggard · 27th August 2018, 15:01

Just a minimum bit of research will answer all your questions, XTRONS website is very clear, I bought mine from Amazon and just looked at the specs and descriptions I was able to work out what I needed. I bought this adapter https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I used that and the Aerial / Fakra adapter. I didn't bother with the steering wheel controls and the CD multiplayer is redundant ,I didn't run extension USB cables or camera's etc, just the GPS antenna which was easy. You just need to do some research and prepare though if you're uncomfortable fitting it find someone more experienced.

Teflon · 27th August 2018, 15:14

I've got one of the earlier Win CE double dins installed and love it. Had it for some 6 years or so and it hasn't let me down yet, looks OEM, and has sat nav, bluetooth etc built in.

Having said that though, I'm inclined to agree with Madderz. A replacement BMW widescreen unit will be a straight replacement and will keep everything nice and original

Also, don't forget that if you have the full Harmon Kardon setup, some extra wiring will be needed to take advantage of the Harmon sub etc if you go "after market".

I guess it comes down to how fussed you are about having the latest toys V originality. Either option should work out ok.

Cliff

24th August 2018, 21:15	#1
PC2 Regular poster MG ZT-T 190 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Brighton Posts: 69 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Replacing e46 BMW widescreen head unit Evening Could you advise me. The e46 BMW widescreen head unit (from a BMW M3) has died on my 190 tourer. I have Harmon system. Not got a lot of cash so should I buy another second hand one from a beemer at about £130 ebay, or is there a good alternative that can slot in without any hassle and is newer? Thanks for your help in advance.

27th August 2018, 13:31	#6
PC2 Regular poster MG ZT-T 190 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Brighton Posts: 69 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Blaggard Did you have to get any extra wiring/connections etc? Mine is currently double din, whereas xtrons are single din? Was it an easy change? Last edited by PC2; 27th August 2018 at 13:34..

27th August 2018, 14:31	#7
blaggard Avid contributor Rover 75 connoisseur se Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Wallington Posts: 180 Thanks: 6 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts	Very easy, I bought one lead, everything else was included, the exact leads needed depend a little on the year and model of your car and the unit bought but I was very impressed with the included leads and adapters. I had to cut the plastic lugs off the sides (they are for BMW fitment) it fired up straight away and sounds great. I paid just under £240 for the unit and lead from Amazon, an OEM unit would cost a vast amount and will in all probability be made i a Chinese factory, possibly the same one. Last edited by blaggard; 27th August 2018 at 15:04..

27th August 2018, 15:14	#10
Teflon This is my second home Lagoon 2.0 V6 75 Conn SE Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chertsey Posts: 5,203 Thanks: 2,825 Thanked 2,920 Times in 1,570 Posts	I've got one of the earlier Win CE double dins installed and love it. Had it for some 6 years or so and it hasn't let me down yet, looks OEM, and has sat nav, bluetooth etc built in. Having said that though, I'm inclined to agree with Madderz. A replacement BMW widescreen unit will be a straight replacement and will keep everything nice and original Also, don't forget that if you have the full Harmon Kardon setup, some extra wiring will be needed to take advantage of the Harmon sub etc if you go "after market". I guess it comes down to how fussed you are about having the latest toys V originality. Either option should work out ok. Cliff __________________ No. 4 of 6

25th August 2018, 08:30	#3
PC2 Regular poster MG ZT-T 190 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Brighton Posts: 69 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Thanks Madders - I though a number of members were keen on Naval's etc. The good double din replacements seem very expensive and you have to change a lot of the wiring too. At the moment I can't tune the radio or pick CDs -very frustrating.

27th August 2018, 09:01	#4
PC2 Regular poster MG ZT-T 190 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Brighton Posts: 69 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Does anyone else have a view before I buy another old BMW unit?

27th August 2018, 09:11	#5
blaggard Avid contributor Rover 75 connoisseur se Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Wallington Posts: 180 Thanks: 6 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts	I just fitted an XTRONS head unit, can't fault it. Remember, the OEMs are pretty much all made in China anyway, as with mobile phones the factories make much of their profits making non-OEM branded units.

27th August 2018, 14:50	#8
PC2 Regular poster MG ZT-T 190 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Brighton Posts: 69 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	what about the double din issue? I'm not great on technicalities! I have the Harmon system with steering wheel controls and multi cd player. Does all this connect up? I presume that is why mine is double din instead of single. What was yours?

27th August 2018, 15:01	#9
blaggard Avid contributor Rover 75 connoisseur se Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Wallington Posts: 180 Thanks: 6 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts	Just a minimum bit of research will answer all your questions, XTRONS website is very clear, I bought mine from Amazon and just looked at the specs and descriptions I was able to work out what I needed. I bought this adapter https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I used that and the Aerial / Fakra adapter. I didn't bother with the steering wheel controls and the CD multiplayer is redundant ,I didn't run extension USB cables or camera's etc, just the GPS antenna which was easy. You just need to do some research and prepare though if you're uncomfortable fitting it find someone more experienced.