Two questions about 5 series (E39)

[niktsol]

Hi everyone, i would like to ask you a couple of questions about the 5 series E39. First of all my car is a BMW 520i E39, built September 1998 (Euro spec). My questions are the following.

Did BMW produced a factory radio-cd mp3 for this car? The local dealer in my country says that there is no radio-cd with mp3 capabilities. I know that this might be different in other regions, it depends of course what the byuer wants. I have installed a 1-din Alpine, very cool, but does not have the OEM look. I used to have BMW radio-cassete.


The second question is about car safety. Is there any good system to prevent any thief? I've heard that MID (which i don't have in my car, but it can be installed can't it?) has a "CODE" mode in which the car starts on only if you type a 4-digit password. Is it a nice system, or you suggest an after market alarm system? My car has already the factory alarm system.

I am looking forward for your answers-suggestions

[brettski]

I am pretty sure that MP3 capable systems were pretty much unheard of in the pre 2000 models, but I am not 100% sure.

[niktsol]

Originally Posted by brettski

I am pretty sure that MP3 capable systems were pretty much unheard of in the pre 2000 models, but I am not 100% sure.

Somebody told me than i might find it for after 2000 models, (facelift). The only matter is that in the face lift the pins of the device are flat pins, whereas mine are round. But there is the appopriate adaptor. The question is, did these mp3 devices ever been constructed?