Can you change the deck in a 2004 330i?

[jasyn]

I'm new to the forums, and i just recently purchased a new 2004 330i. I want to know if you can change the deck in the car? It doesn't look like i can change it to a DIN setup .. or can I? I want to put a deck that allows me to play mp3 cd's and not just regular cd's. Kuz like .. to me it's all just one huge unit .. and i'd have to rip everything apart? Please refer me to what I need to do if it's possible. Thanks!!!

hope i made sense up thurr

[KillFox]

You just take out the current deck, and din mount the new one on the left side of where the original one was. You will need a trim piece the put in there so that the 1 inch gap on the right isnt a big hole :P

Such kits can be found at any installer's shop, just get one to sell you one of theirs, or you can buy them online. I know Scosche (sp?) and Manta (i think?) make them.

If you want the deck centered, you will have to cut a small piece of plastic down there and get a custom trim piece. I highly suggest you take the car to a proffessional audio shop for this kind of installation.

Oh, note that, if you replace the factory unit, you lose steering wheel controls for the radio There is an aftermarket product that can fix this problem, called the Pac Audio SWI-X; which depending on where you mount the IR eye, may not work half the time.

Good luck!

[El Presidente]

Blitzsafe also makes adapters so you can plug a music keg into the factory CD changer plug.

[jasyn]

Originally posted by KillFox@Jun 27 2004, 09:26 AM


You just take out the current deck, and din mount the new one on the left side of where the original one was. You will need a trim piece the put in there so that the 1 inch gap on the right isnt a big hole :P

Such kits can be found at any installer's shop, just get one to sell you one of theirs, or you can buy them online. I know Scosche (sp?) and Manta (i think?) make them.

If you want the deck centered, you will have to cut a small piece of plastic down there and get a custom trim piece. I highly suggest you take the car to a proffessional audio shop for this kind of installation.

Oh, note that, if you replace the factory unit, you lose steering wheel controls for the radio There is an aftermarket product that can fix this problem, called the Pac Audio SWI-X; which depending on where you mount the IR eye, may not work half the time.

Good luck!

thanks for the information! to bad you lose the controls on the steering wheel .. i read that the Pac Audio SWI-X doesn't work for sony headunits .. and that's the damn headunit i got .. so god damn .. but i guess the remote u'll work just the same

[jasyn]

Originally posted by El Presidente@Jun 27 2004, 09:57 AM
Blitzsafe also makes adapters so you can plug a music keg into the factory CD changer plug.

what's a music keg?

[007ben]

or you could just buy a phatbox from phatnoise as the music keg is a licenced from phatnoise.

the phatboxes are meant to be hooked into many OEM system.

[jasyn]

Originally posted by 007ben@Jun 27 2004, 01:28 PM
or you could just buy a phatbox from phatnoise as the music keg is a licenced from phatnoise.

the phatboxes are meant to be hooked into many OEM system.

that's a grip of money to spend!!!

[jasyn]

anyone in southern california know a audio place that can do this type of installation? taking out the oem headunit and placing a new one with the Scosche kit?

[KillFox]

I dont know what shops you have in SO CAL, however you can take it to just about any audio shop in your area and have it done. Also, bigger stores like Circuit City and Best Buy do installs, and could do the install for you as well.

[97alpineM3]

Best Buy does some good work.... have a buddy of mine just do some stuff there...

[jasyn]

would bestbuy have the kits to do this? or do i have to buy the kit first and just go there to install it?

[KillFox]

I would call ahead and confirm that they do, and if they dont, ask them to order one and set you up with an appointment or refer you to someone who has the kit in-stock.

[jasyn]

Originally posted by KillFox@Jun 27 2004, 11:52 PM
I would call ahead and confirm that they do, and if they dont, ask them to order one and set you up with an appointment or refer you to someone who has the kit in-stock.

sweet! thanks for all the information you all have provided. this forum is the best!!

[jllphan]

The best way to find a decent installer is to go look for one. Bestbuy and similar places generally hire competent installers but this is not always the case. Just go to a local shop that seems reputable and ask to speak to the installer when he is not busy. Tell him what ya want and feel him out based on his response.

Most decent installers won't seem excited about cars they don't have installation parts readily available for. Or cars they don't feel confortable working on.