Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldmactech
My kids are asking the “waddya want for Xmas” question so I thought I might up grade the radio in my 03. 3.0
I have the base model, front load sing disc CD. No phone setup in the rear compartment.
I’d like to pull the radio and replace with Bluetooth,USB, phone through speakers, etc without losing existingCD. Looking for something simple, no light show or other “features.”
Looked at Crutchfielde but already confused. Any advice?
$100 or so is the magic number.
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First things first - you can't just "pull the old radio" - you don't have one.
In the setup you have, the CD Player and and Radio are actually in the same unit (what you are calling the single CD). The CD player, the radio receiver and the amplifier are all inside the "single CD player". The unit you are calling a radio is actually a "Multifunction Information Display" or MID. It might look like a radio but it's just a bunch of buttons and a display - nothing more.
If you want to change the audio components to something a bit more modern, then both the MID and the single CD player will have to be pulled out and replaced.
Removing the MID will remove access to some of the "computer" functions like the trip counter, gas consumption info etc. (or at least, the ability to display these functions - they still exist in the car and can be displayed on the dash - just not reset etc.). this lost access can be replaced by software and hardware in a new system, if you can you wish to retain access.
Many of the newer 7" units still have a DVD/CD player, so you won't have to lose this option.
DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung) is a reference to a standard car radio size. Most "normal" car radios are single DIN (in height) but double-DIN units are also available. I recommend avoiding the fitment of any DIN (or double-DIN) system to an E53 - there are better custom options available.
Some of the systems mentioned above are likely great. Many unit from brands such as Avin, Eonon, Seicane atc. make excellent custom E53 units that will fit right into your dash with very little work (you don't have DSP btw...) and will provide all the functions you listed.
Secondly, I don't have any of them, so I'll leave it to others to recommend their favourite one (although I'd grab a
Seicane S6902 if I was to do this).