Right, well I've had a reality check (well a bank balance check) and I've decided that 16:9 screen is not going to happen. I'd need to spend too much to complete my initial objective (i.e. get an aux in and bluetooth) and whilst it would look great, I can live without it. I've got a Tom Tom for when I actually need nav.

Anyway, the new CD player arrived today. It's not exactly what I was expecting in that it is a 17 pin type (I was expecting 40 pin NG) and it has a single aerial connection but I've researched the part number on google and it appears that it should be aux compatible. There is even a suggestion that this model may play MP3 CD's though that will be unnecessary if the aux-in works.

This is the back of the unit. I'm unsure of what type of aerial connection this is but I'm assuming it's the newer type. I haven't actually pulled my carpet up to have a look at my current radio unit and see if it's similar.



Just cobbling together a shopping list for parts to fit this.

I've ordered my SOT-060 cable (same as one you linked 17 pin) for me to butcher into a 5m version.

So nearly there but I'm still a tiny bit unsure as to what I need to replace my antenna receiver with.

This is my current one:




It's not a great photo and I really ought to take another look, but it looks as if it has four connections to it on the bottom and one in the side. Any ideas which are which?

If I need to replace this with a newer unit, I'm unsure which one I need. Ebay turns up a few varieties.

BMW E46 Coupe Saloon Antenna Trap Circuit 65248380944 on eBay (end time 03-Dec-10 17:30:03 GMT)


BMW E46 Antenna Aerial Distributor on eBay (end time 07-Nov-10 20:00:43 GMT)

BMW E46 3 SERIES AERIAL AMPLIFIER 65.25-6 907 123 on eBay (end time 03-Dec-10 23:25:43 GMT)

BMW E46 3 SERIES AERIAL TRAP CIRCUIT 65.24 8380944 on eBay (end time 03-Dec-10 23:25:07 GMT)

Obviously I'll need to still get a FAKRA cable as well but that's the easy bit.

Left to right

Alarm (433Mhz)
Alarm (to ZKE)
Div FM
Main FM
On right - +12V (VBat) and GND

To find out what you need, what connectors do you have on the CD player? Just one FAKRA?

Wow, quick response. I really should be paying for this service! Just edited post to include a picture. It's a single aerial connection, I'm unsure whether it is FAKRA or not.

DP You want a 65256906071, nothing else will do. You already have a 65258377817. You can go with the current one until the right thing comes up on eBay. You jsut reduce your potential FM reception from 3 antennas down to one.

This is the FAKRA


If you have that you want a 4.25M or better 61126912491. bmminipats are cheaper than cooperbmwparts but they don't have everything. You may find a 5M X5 version.

Is that a FAKRA connection on the radio? I'll need to buy an antenna extension regardless so just checking I'm buying the right thing.

Yep, it's definitely FAKRA then. First item on the list you linked.

So if I get one of BMW cables that you mention that will have the same connection on the antenna box end as my current unit, so I could get straight up and running and then swap FM receivers later on and it will basically be a straight swap?

This is the part that you mentioned. Not exactly a thorough description on that site!

CABLE - Super Specials - Cooper BMW Parts, Inchcape

I suspect this is also suitable but it too doesn't have an image.

www.bmminiparts.com - Part Details

And then finally this one, which I'm most confident about buying.

www.bmminiparts.com - Part Details

I presume there is room behind the head unit for these 'straight in' type connectors and I wouldn't need some sort of right angle adaptor?

Yep.

www.bmminiparts.com - Part Details

Nope. That ends in ISO, not FAKRA. Clcik the photo.
www.bmminiparts.com - Part Details

Nope, that's the thin Div (ZF) branch.