Help with Tape Player to CD player.
 

I found this on ebay. I have a Tape player behind my nav screen, could i change the tape to this Cd player behind the nav screen?

How hard would this be to do. Is there a guide to doing this

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BMW-E-39-X5-M...QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.btinternet.com/~john.ross...ISK/bmw_cd.jpg

Much desired by many, but has never been done :tsk:

So you dont think it can be done? What is the point of putting a F**king tape player in a car now days. I bet its for the old people. Where is this Business CD ment to go anyway, is it for x5s with no nav?

Yes it can be done! It's a plug and play job from what I recall. I remember reading on the M5 forum where a few have done it. Simply take out your old NAV head unit and plug in the new one!! I done the tape to CD change on my e39 many years ago. Although it was not the NAV unit, its was the same idea. All the cables just fit straight back in and everything worked correctly!

Just looked at the ebay link!! That is the same cd player that I added to my
e39. I had the same system as your X. It took me all of 20mins to swap out my tape player and install the CD.

I can't see a plausible way the Business CD can fit behind the Nav screen and replace the tape player. I think you guys aren't speaking the same language.

I did it last week,changed from tape into CD player it took no more than 5 minutes,just push the small button near the knob, the tape player will pop up unplug and install the CD player,but first make sure the plug of the cd player you will get is compatible with the the one in your car,I was told there are two types of them.

We are not talking about putting the business system behind the nav screen!

You are correct! There are two types.

I hate to pop the bubble here, but I really think you are confused with the nav versus non-nav. I agree that doing the swap in a non-nav vehicle is very easy to do. But I contend that doing so with a nav-equipped X5 (or e38 / e39) hasn't been done, and I challenge anyone to prove me wrong - with pictures to prove it!

Did your E39 have sat nav???? because my X has it and i think you may be thinking of a car with no nav. How exactually do u get the tapeplayer out from behind the screen?
http://www.btinternet.com/~john.ross...ISK/bmw_cd.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...3/Photo141.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...3/Photo139.jpg

Actually if you do not have an AUX input then you can make a good use of your tape player. With a tape adapter you can easily and cleanly transform your tape player into an AUX input and use it to plug your MP3 player for example. The sounds will be much better than when using one of these FM transmitters. Here is a thread on this very simple mod.
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...t=tape+adaptor

Yes good point

I also have a tape player that has not been used ever since I got the X, and would like to use it as an AUX input with a tape adapter. I do not want to open the the unit and fit the adapter to hide the wires as advised by alpac. I dont mind plugging/unplugging the adapter when I want to use the iPod. However, to use the adapter, I would have to leave the screen open to allow for the wire from the adapter to plug into the iPod. Do any of you guys think its ok to use the tape adapter with the screen open?

You can always get a CD changer too, which would install in the rear of the vehicle. I have one for sale in case you're interested. ;)

Thanks for the offer but I have already got a CD changer...just looking for an easy way to use the iPod without the need to open the unit to fit an AUX port or a Dension icelink. Have already tried the FM transmitter and the quality is so bad I would never use them again.

Also, My BMW dealer in the UK have told me that if I open the nav unit to customise it for an AUX port or a Dension Icelink it will probably invalidate my warranty. BMW's quote to fit their approved iPod adapter by their own techs was GBP630.00 that's roughly US$1,134.00

NoooooWaaayyyyyy I am paying that.

Gulp! :mad:

So no ideas if it can be done?

Asked and answered. Hasn't been done because it's not financially responsible to do so (I'd never say it "can't" be done, because with an unlimited budget anything is possible).

So it would cost alot of money? how?

Well, the OP said: so it seems like that's what he was talking about.

Honest mistake, but worth pointing out that what he was proposing is borderline impossible and certainly not easy.

Its not impossible!

To clear this up as I have picked things up wrong.

1. The link he provided is for a NON sat nav system. If you have a business system in your vehicle that has a tape player then it can be swapped over to front loader CD, like in the link. THIS ONLY WORKS ON NON SAT NAV UNITS.

2. If you have a sat nav system, and have the tape player behind the screen, the only way to get CD behind the screen is to purchase the complete NAV head unit with CD, LIKE THIS
http://i20.ebayimg.com/04/i/08/c9/67/d7_1.JPG

Its a straight plug and play job, take out your tape NAV nead unit and install the new CD one. They can be expensive to buy on ebay but from time to time, they sell for reasonable money. You could also try a BMW wrecking yard for the CD unit.

One of these days your gonna be one of "The old people". Remember, It's the old people that have give you some of the technology you use today so show respect. :nanana:

Sudesh - the unit you have pictured is for an e46, which is not the same as for the e38/e39/e53. Only the e46 unit was ever produced with a CD player.

I at one point had an e46 unit and an e38/e39/e53 unit with the thoughts of doing this, but it was clear it wasn't feasible. The screens, back unit and everything else about them were not physically compatible. :tsk:

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/x...n-dsc00785.jpg

Oh Right!! I was wondering why they never put them in the e53? I had an 04 M3 that had the CD player behind the screen. In saying that, I never once used that CD player, as I always use the rear loader.

Ahh i see, thanks for all this information

i would deff love to have the cd player at least 1cd infront i hate going to the back all the time to swap 1 or 2cds.. and yes the e46 m3 does have the cd player behind the nav which is redicilous in my opinion why didnt every bmw get the cd behind the nav... did they think only old people would buyy the x5s

Yes im pretty sure they did lol