Help Help Help Aftermarket Radio

[xcorpionsting]

After having 2Amp toasted by H2O, I decided to forget about the amp in the trunk.
I'm going to go replace it with an dash radio. I'm not familiar with aftermarket radio quality.

I have seen Pioneer, Alpine, Clarion, JVC, and Sony.

02 E53 non DSP.

Thank you so much.

[TerminatorX5]

most people on this forum are against the aftermarket radios, as they do not take into account the specifics of the BMWs - llike the integration of the MID into the rest of the electronics, llike speed sensitive volume, engine disabling code (you need to enter 4-digit code to start engine), separation of the headunit and the amplifier, iBus integration... OEM suppliers to BMW were Becker, Alpine... probably somebody else...

But this is your ride and it is your decision what to put in or not... Check with a reputable installation facility that have dealt with BMWs, as this is not just regular Chevy or Honda install...

[PersonaNonGrata]

^ Agreed but if you must proceed, you can get a double DIN unit to fill up the space that the Business CD and OBC/radio use and get something with navigation, DVD, MP3, iPod, rear camera, etc. There have been a number of people here who have gone this route. Check out Avic units and Huanglan (spelling?).

[X5SND]

Originally Posted by xcorpionsting

After having 2Amp toasted by H2O, I decided to forget about the amp in the trunk.
I'm going to go replace it with an dash radio. I'm not familiar with aftermarket radio quality.

I have seen Pioneer, Alpine, Clarion, JVC, and Sony.

02 E53 non DSP.

Thank you so much.

Just out of curiosity how did they get ruined by water??

If you have the basic headunit and business CD you wont lose much in the way of functionality. The only real loss would be the ignition code option (which I found annoying anyway). The higher end double din units can (if properly installed) give you 95% of the factory functionality back, including but not limited to: steering wheel controls, voice activation, speed sensitive volume (navi units only), cameras and more.

Personally, I went the aftermarket route and have never looked back. Dont go by what others are for or against here. Just know that it can/has been done by multiple people here.

Like it was posted before, all you really need to fill the space is a double din unit. A PAC module will give you your steering wheel controls back.

[SlickGT1]

So how do you reset your gas mileage, or set clock, or date without Obc? Hint, extend OBC harness to the glovebox and move it there.

[xcorpionsting]

This friend of mine has a body shop and own a same model as mine 02 Si. He stated that BMW did not looked into this problem when manufacturing this first SUV by them. He stated that he gets this type of problems at least 2 out of every 4 E53. He has the same problem with water after raining, it happens when you have the vehicle parked on a tilt towards the passenger side. Water will get into the passenger side floor and basically fill the carpet with water. He explained to me that water does travel thru the wires.
At first I though he was bs ing me when he said this but after loosing a second Amp. I had a towel in under the Amp and the towel did not get wet at all. However, water had sip into the unit thru the harness. I used a paper towel to wrap the harness and let it sit overnight and BINGO paper towel was wet next day.
You may want to experiment this to see if this do happens to your unit, at least you know the reason for this amp. going bad.

So he changed his amp. to an aftermarket with DVD and GPS. I don't have a need for build in GPS since most aftermarket unit are IPHONE/ANDROID ready. So I can use the GPS from GUGLE on the Iphone.

I saw the Avic model from Pioneer. I'm having a strong consideration on this model. I'm hesitant cuz, I'm looking at it this way...the car is abt 11yrs old. Over 100K. Do I want to cont. putting more money into it or do I go the short way and save for a newer model next year?

Does anyone else have a better recommendation.

[xcorpionsting]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

So how do you reset your gas mileage, or set clock, or date without Obc? Hint, extend OBC harness to the glovebox and move it there.

The only thing I do use from the OBC is the mls and clock, other than that I don't use much of the functions out of the MID.
Back in 2006 I played so much with the MID that landed the Veh. at the dealer with 3 dead battery and 2 dead alt. Thank god it was still under warranty. It happened everytime I used the 4 pin code to start the car. After that I abandoned the 4 PIN and so far so good.

SlickGT1 it is an interesting question, what is going to happen to OBC IF i GO with aftermarket, I'm going to ask the guy that did it for my body shop frd. Even though he had asked me if there was control out of the steering wheel. The only thing I heard him mentioning rewiring the whole car. So my wonder now will I have control of the aftermarket unit on the steering as well?
Thank you SlickGT1 for the heads up.

[X5SND]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

So how do you reset your gas mileage, or set clock, or date without Obc? Hint, extend OBC harness to the glovebox and move it there.

My Mistake, the "gas mileage" I thought that was being referred to was the one that is displayed in the cluster and resettable through the left steering wheel stalk!

[romeokc10]

Originally Posted by X5SND

Just out of curiosity how did they get ruined by water??

If you have the basic headunit and business CD you wont lose much in the way of functionality. The only real loss would be the ignition code option (which I found annoying anyway). The higher end double din units can (if properly installed) give you 95% of the factory functionality back, including but not limited to: steering wheel controls, voice activation, speed sensitive volume (navi units only), cameras and more.

Personally, I went the aftermarket route and have never looked back. Dont go by what others are for or against here. Just know that it can/has been done by multiple people here.

Like it was posted before, all you really need to fill the space is a double din unit. A PAC module will give you your steering wheel controls back.

When you get a chance can you post some pics of your setup, specifically the head unit?

[Rado]

I just installed a double din Pioneer 4400bh and it is just awesome. I started another thread last week and will update it with some pics as well. I also have non DSP and the install was a breeze. My obd in in the cluster, so I'm not missing anything from before. By the way I had a Hualingan unit which worked fine and looked good as well on the dash but I wanted more bells and whistles from the double din radio. If someone is interested in Hualingan..PM me.