New Alpine Deck On The Way!

[bimmer_boy]

Hey guys, I just baught an Alpine 9831. Can't wait to get it! It looks like it will look very nice with my black interior. I'm going to set the coloring to match the amber orange of the rest of the lights!

I do have a few questions though..


Do you guys have any tips on installing the alpine unit in the bmw? I hear it's a bitch to install. Should I get a wiring harness and antenna adapter? Are they necessary? Also, does it fit right in the dash or will I need a mounting kit?

Thanks!

[Kissner]

Hey, i have a Alpine 7893 in my E36-i'm not sure if it's the same as the E46 but it wasn't too bad to install. You need the wiring harness, i found ebay to be the best-most Best Buys don't even carry BMW harnesses. I think it was around 20 dollars or so. The antenna adapter is only necesary if u wanna listen to the radio-i don't and only listen to cd's so i didn't put it in. I was told i could find them at a Radio Shack tho, so if ur interested in them i would look there. It fit perfectly into my dash and looks great, i'm not sure if your cd player comes with the trim peice that goes around the outside of the cd player or not, i'm pretty sure it does-if it doesn't ur definitely gonna wanna get one. I'm almost positive it comes with it tho. Like i said i put it in my 1998 M3, i'm not sure how it will fit in yours. Good luck-good choice wit the Alpine!

[bimmer_boy]

Originally posted by Young Beamin'@Dec 27 2004, 11:02 PM
Hey, i have a Alpine 7893 in my E36-i'm not sure if it's the same as the E46 but it wasn't too bad to install. You need the wiring harness, i found ebay to be the best-most Best Buys don't even carry BMW harnesses. I think it was around 20 dollars or so. The antenna adapter is only necesary if u wanna listen to the radio-i don't and only listen to cd's so i didn't put it in. I was told i could find them at a Radio Shack tho, so if ur interested in them i would look there. It fit perfectly into my dash and looks great, i'm not sure if your cd player comes with the trim peice that goes around the outside of the cd player or not, i'm pretty sure it does-if it doesn't ur definitely gonna wanna get one. I'm almost positive it comes with it tho. Like i said i put it in my 1998 M3, i'm not sure how it will fit in yours. Good luck-good choice wit the Alpine!

[snapback]259344[/snapback]

sounds perfect, thanks a lot! I think I'll leave the adapter out. screw the readio .. i'll have an mp3 player .. hehe

[bimmer_boy]

I just realized the plastic border that goes around the head unit is silver and my interior is black! Can I remove it and paint it? I don't want it to stick out like a sore thumb!!!!!

[1980 BMW 323is]

its removable, if it were me, i wouldn't paint it, and i'd leave it off

[Kissner]

Yes it is removable. You can leave it off or u can paint it. I personally don't think it will look that great without the trim peice but i'm not sure how it looks in your car. If u paint it just make sure u do it very carefully and do it right so it doesn't look like u just did a shitty spray paint job

[bimmer_boy]

Alright thanks. I wonder if I can just pick up a black one that fits just the same at like circuit city or something?

[Kissner]

Yep that would definitely be the easiest. I am an idiot for not thinking of it sooner. All HU are about the same size so they can fit in the factory hu slot-so all brand make trim peices and it should fit any brand. What i'm trying to say is there will be a universal trim peice.

[bimmer_boy]

Altighty, thanks. I just go out and get a different trim then.

[Kissner]

Hey can u hit me up with a run down on your new cd player when u get it. Like whether u like it and how it sounds and shit? I am looking at the 9833 or the 9835 and i would like to get somones opinion on it before i spend alot of money on it. I'm either gonna get one of them or wait for another 3 months and buy one of the 2005 models. Send me a review on it when u get it in! Thanks!