Pre 2002 Radio Aux install

[ConorBurns]

Hey all, new to the forum here. I'm planning on installing an aux cord in an '01 X5. Now I know that you can get the factory/OEM kit with the cord, but I also know that only works with radios from like October 2002 and on? From what I can tell, the cord/wires are attached into the harness that plugs into the CD player, not the radio head unit.

My question: If I want to use a kit like that, then do I need both the head unit and CD player to be from 10/2002 onward? or just the Radio or just the CD player?

FWIW, its a non-nav optioned model with the Buisness CD it looks like. There's a few other threads circulating this issue, but the answer doesn't seem to be on any of them. Otherwise, is there a way the existing radios might actually work at all?

[wpoll]

What you need to buy depends on what you have.

For a start, the radio receiver is built into the CD player. The unit that has the display on it is just that - a dumb display (called a MID - Multi-function Information Display).

You may have speaker connections directly to the rear of the "CD player" in the dash or there may be some form of amp in the trunk (boot) space somewhere? Either way, you'll only need to swap out the "CD player".

My '05 non-nav has the "Professional CD" fitted, which is actually a CD Player, an AM/FM receiver and an amplifier, all in one unit - a BMW CD54 (made by Becker). It should, in theory accept the standard BMW Aux kit but I've never been able to get it to work. There's very little info. about this exact unit.

I believe your unit will be a CD53, made by Alpine. You just need to find a CD53 unit newer than Sept. 2002 and you should be good to go.

[ConorBurns]

That makes sense. I kind of assumed that after looking at it, but it's kind of hard to find info on this. There seems to be a fair few units on ebay for a fair price.

If all else fails I'll look at running something from the rear of the truck where the CD changer wiring is and running an aux from there. I'm glad there's only one thing that needs to be replaced...

[wpoll]

Might be cheaper (and certainly easier and better) to install a BlueBus unit in place of CD Changer....

[Zulu95]

I did a Gromaudio install in place of the 6 disk changer. Worked very well. (I still have the changer even though the '01 was sold May 2020.) I picked up a used nav shelf for the rack mount in the trunk and used industrial velcro to pad/mount the unit.They offer a plug and play harness. Took longer to remove the changer than install the GROM. Check out their site for all the units they offer for your year.