Aftermarket Head Unit and Steering Wheel Controls - BMW Forum

ilovenicotine · 05-21-2006, 11:05 AM

Has anyone gotten an aftermarket head unit to work with the factory steering wheel controls on a E46? I found a few adapters for different brands and even a universal one that works with any player that has a remote....none seem to be compatible with my 2000 323i according to crutchfield.com.

The reason being, is i eventually want to install an entire sound system and i know that having the factory head unit is going to make that a pain... i'm looking at alpine head units because they have the best iPod compatiblity, closest to full support over any other device/headunit, they have steering wheel support capablities, and they seem to match the stock look pretty well...

Sort of a noob question: if i had the kardon karman system how would i know it? just bought the car and am already confused by almost everything about this car. Everything it does or needs is such a freaking mess. The manual says that for a bunch of features i have to talk to the dealer. wtf is that? if i want to use my integrated cell phone, i have to have the dealer install it? or if i want to have my key automatically adjust my seat settings for me, and my girl's adjust the seats for her, i have to have the dealer program this crap.... freaking german's.

Anyway, this is my first post... glad to find a place for me and my new car, bimmerwerkz!!!!!!

da_bull · 05-22-2006, 11:16 AM

to bimmerwerkz...

I like the Alpine products, they've been around a long time and are probably going to continue to be around. The HK system typically consists of 10 speakers. Just count the number of grills. As far as the steering wheels adapters hit the clickyclicky here: http://peripheralelectronics.com/web/contact.asp
I have used these components for years and they have a good technical support. Hope that helps.

You might also post this in the 3-series towards the top of the main forum page. We have a lot of 3-series guys and gals here with loads of knowledge. Welcome again and stick around...

ilovenicotine · 05-23-2006, 04:50 AM

from what i've read about most of the steering wheel adapters they DON'T work with any bmw that has a 5-volt SWC data wire in the steering column. Anyone know if my car has this?

Or has anyone specifically gotten any cd-player to work with their steering wheel on their E46?

da_bull · 05-23-2006, 08:54 PM

I'm not sure if yours does or not, hopefully someone will chime in, or maybe you could contact them to see how to tell, and I could probably walk you through that.

drz · 05-23-2006, 10:23 PM

I can tell you that for a lot of the stuff that BMW says one should visit the dealership, you can find a DIY procedure online. Just run Google searches for specific things and or start a thread here (be sure to use the search feature first, please).

Welcome to werkz and to BMW ownership. Don't be intimidated by either. They are both enjoyable.