I am going to buy a new radio/cd player. I will most likely buy it from best buy as well. Do I trust them with the installation? Will it cost extra, I know they say it is free, however with a BMW I am not so sure. Also, if I let them do it, will they mess up the computer or any of that stuff..... Thanks in advance.
The beauty of dealing with a massive chain like BB, is that if they do jack up your car, they have the insurance to fix it. I actually have an X-BB installer working for me right now, and he quite good, but the level of quality may vary from store to store. I would be more reluctant to trust the salesperson's advice on product selection, then would be to trust the install team.
If you are very concerned with enlisting top notch installers, find your local mom and pop shop that carries hi-end mobile audio. They pay their installers commission (not straigh salary like BB), which generally atracts a better quality of installer.
but if youre buying speakers too.. might want to consider having a pro do it, because thats a bitch. your best bet is to find a friend who is good at that kind of stuff, and pay him in beer
__________________
<span style='font-family:Arial'><span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>T-Mac</span>
95' BMW 325is Jet Black, 5 speed
Xtec 6000k HID kit, DDE Enhanced, Euro Ellipsoids, M3 Front Bumper, Color-matched rear,
Alpine Mp3/CD, 20% tint, M3 Contour Rims, Smoked Corners, front lip
Clear Side markers, K&N Performance Filter, Debaffle, Color-matched side skirts</span>
i doubt doing this installation is all that hard... isnt it just a matter of finding out how to take your old cd player out, then plugging a few cables to the back for the cd player?
no soldering needed...However, installing a new CD player won't mess with the computer either. As for getting the stock one out, I think I heard all you need is an Allen key or something? Check the FAQ pages for certain.
__________________ 1996 318i
5 Speed Manual
Alpine CDA-7895 Head Unit
12" Alpine Type-R, sealed box
Pioneer 400w amp for $20 at a yard sale (to replace my fried MRV-1507)
Infinity Kappa 4" 2-way speakers(rear)
Infinity Kappa 5.25" component speakers(front)
Debaffled airbox, K&N filter
Tracked Mud on carpets
Shampooed and cleaned carpets
I've got an DIY in the sig on speaker installs in an e36. It's easy.
As for the HU install:
Remove the factory unit by unscrewing the allen bolts behind the flaps on the front of the HU with an 8mm hex key.
Disconnect harness and antenna lead.
Plug adapter harness (sold separately) into factory harness. The adapter harness connects to your new HU's harness. You can solder the connections between the wires (simply match the colors) or use butt connectors.
Attach antenna adapter (sold separately) to antenna lead.
Slide mounting sleeve included with the HU into the dash. Bend the tabs back to secure it in place.
Connect harness and antenna.
Slide HU into place unitl it clicks and does not move forward.
Pop trim ring into place around the faceplate.
You're done.
__________________ <span style='color:gray'><span style='font-family:Courier'>1995 e36 3 Series RIP
1999 e46 3 Series BURN IN HELL
2000 MR-S Roadster= Current</span></span>
the thing about Best Buy is that for 1997 and up BMW's they have the adapter kit, so they don't have to destroy your wiring harness to install a new head unit...unfortunatly if it's a pre 97MY they will be cutting wires and god only knows what else....if they have the connector adapter for your car install should be free...I was looking yesterday for my 95 E36. BB didn't have an adapter for mine, so I went to circuit city. They did have the adapter on hand, so I'm probably heading over to CC for my install.
why install it yourself? Its soooooooooooooo easy. Installing a stereo in an e36 is like unplugging a cord from the wall, and takeing out two screws to get the wall plate off.
__________________ <span style='color:gray'><span style='font-family:Courier'>1995 e36 3 Series RIP
1999 e46 3 Series BURN IN HELL
2000 MR-S Roadster= Current</span></span>
does anyone know anything about 2003's cuz i would like to change my headunit however the stock one that i have now seems to be really big, is there some type of trim or something that they put around aftermarket hu's and if so does anyone have any pics?
changing the HU in my E36 wasnt easy.... yes there was an adapter... but then I had to cut the bmw plug that orginally went into the back of the unit... and then attach to the adapter plug that fit in the new head unit... I might have been doing this the hard way.. but its all I knew at the time.
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