The only thing that needs replacing is the radio as its cassette player doesn't work and I'm gonna kill myself having to listen to the radio any longer.
So, I want to keep a stock radio in it but I need to figure out a way to get a auxiliary line in. So, should I find a replacement stock radio that's tape function works and hard wire on in or should I spring for something like that Blaupunkt Nashville (pic related) ? The Blaupunkt has the line in built in which is pretty nice.
You can definitely convert any tape player to an Aux in. You just have to know how to solder.
The Blaupunkt is absolutely a better stereo though. Personally, that's the route I would go. ALL Alpine stereos that control a changer also have an Aux input, all the way back into the 80's. It's a simple $5 adapter that converts the CD changer input to an Aux input. So long as you get an Alpine that can change the display color, from Green to Amber, it'll look just as good in your dash as the Blaupunkt will.
As far as an amp, that pretty much *always* makes your stereo sound better. More clean power means that the sound is, well, cleaner. You don't have to go crazy on an amp though, with 500 watts or more. Even a modest amp that's 30 watts per channel will provide a huge improvement in sound.
Gavin Wilson
>I'm gonna kill myself having to listen to the radio any longer. just get a ten dollar fm trasmitter.
Ayden Ramirez
enjoy your absolute shit tier audio quality
Jeremiah Myers
but that quality is mad spotty
Kevin Perry
Damn that radio is sexy, thanks OP
Going to get one for my 380SL
Lucas Miller
You could fit a later stock one with a CD autochanger remote. E36s and Z3s were still single DIN (I think)
Oliver Allen
>87 325i
fugg, that’s the exact car I had before it lit on fire in an intersection. Take care of it, they’re creat cars
Lincoln Carter
how DO you convert a cassette player to aux, though
William Morales
So I've got a 323i E36 and was using direct piggyback onto the tape head via 1.5w 10k resistors to 3.5mm aux jack.
worked ok but you need to turn source volume down to like 10% and the amp on the head unit up
it's kinda hacky but worked good.
i broke it when i took my dash out so i put a new one in
8/10 would do the mod
Justin Martinez
you guys have all been super helpful but it seems like both the Blaupunkt and Alpine are good routes. Which should I go with?
If you could find an Alpine CDA-7876, you'd be in the business. Apparently they're kinda rare though, so that sucks.
Brayden Edwards
don't these have awful sound quality?
Asher Hill
Not really. You have to turn the source volume to the appropriate level and then turn the players volume up to compensate. These things do not like high source volumes. It's not like aux were you can crank it up on your phone.
Jason Hill
Slightly better than FM modulator. So yes.
Jack Ward
Pioneer DEH-80PRS You're welcome
Nathaniel Smith
Why are you listening to the fucking Twilight soundtrack?
Gabriel Nelson
I have a 2x Becker Indianapolis Pro which i believe was either stock or an option in E46
And I absolutely fucking love them In a Miata and an IS300. They just look clean and stock with all the functions you need- bluetooth, aux, ipod, mp3
Nathaniel Ortiz
Aftermarket blaupunkt radios from the 80s are extremely expensive and generally not worth. The American issued Japanese built pioneer and Alpine units have more features than the euro stuff, but are basically trash quality-wise and will break in a hot minute if you manage to get ahold of a working unit. In my opinion, the best thing to do and what I did with my e28 is I bought a stock blaupunkt unit (Bavaria C) ((check your wiring harness to see if it's the early or late style)) and I got a cassette adapter to plug my phone in. The adapter has no perceivable loss in audio fidelity as far as I can tell. You won't pick up most AM stations on a euro radio, but you should be able to get all FM stations fine. If you have the factory premium Soundsystem, you will already have a somewhat low power blaupunkt amp mounted in the top of your trunk
Daniel Rogers
Just realized I assumed you were American. Ignore the stuff about picking up stations if you're a European. Definitely still avoid the American Alpine/pioneer radios even moreso if you're euro