What is involved in installing a cd changer?
 

Hey Guys,

I would like to install a BMW cd changer in my 06 BMW X5, but im not really sure what is involved. My vehicle currently has a cd player. If I were to install a cd changer, would that disable the one in front? Also, I was browsing around the forums and I found that in some cases, the X5s are usually prewired for a cd changer, but I couldnt find the plug in the back - which leads me to think its not prewired :(

How hard is it to install a cd changer? Any good writeups out there?

The wireing is there. Look under the How to's at the top of this page for the info

Very easy to install. Just plug in the existing connectors that are in the left rear electronics bay and then bolt the unit into the existing rack that is there to accommodate it. The existing CD player will continue to function, you will just have another "Mode" to cycle to.

I checked out the How-To. Thanks for pointing that out, I never saw that page before.

Ive looked in the left compartment where the cd changer should go, but there arent really any free floating cabled with plugs on the end of it...the everything is plugged in to something. If its not too much trouble, could someone post of picture of what the plug looks like?

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...5/8cca77df.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...5/c3aaf690.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...5/0b137da9.jpg

Just throwing this out there...... A iPod or any mp3 play can hold thousands of CD's. It is prolly cheaper and easier to get a iPod and get the cable and plug it in to your headunit.

Meh, but dont you have to get to the back of your head unit to plug in the wire? Id rather not have to do that. Ive taken apart dashboards and stuff in the past, and in my experience, you cant really get everything put back together as good as it came from the factory...which rules out removing the headunit. Unless there is an alternative way...

Does the factory cd player play mp3 discs?

Thanks for the pics!!! I'll check it out later after I get out of work.

aftermarket iPod interface units use the exact same connections as the CD changer. No need to remove the head unit.

Some newer BMW CD changers have the ability to play MP3's. See http://www.xoutpost.com/electronics/...y-mp3-but.html

Plus, you don't need to remove the dash to get the headunit out! lol. In fact I can't think of any car that would the dash out. On your X5 it is 1 screw that is spring loaded, and the head unit will slip right out.
In fact I would even bet I could get yours out in LESS THEN 2 minutes.

If the cable has not be used then the cable is kinda buried among other cables wrapped up with black friction tape that looks permanant. It took me a while to find it as well.

If the car doesn't have NAV, then you'll also need to buy and install the rack to accommodate the CD changer.

Good point. Since I have nav in mine, I tend to forget that

You can always custom make that rack for the changer.;)

hey rdeyoung,

If you want you can PM me and I noticed that you're in CA. If you're in So Cal then I can definitely show you how to do both the CD changer and the Auxilliary Cable if you want.

I have both the Auxilliary Cable for my iphone/ipod installed and also the CD Changer in the back.

Installing the CD changer in the back doesn't disable your single CD in the dash. That will still be working. And like the other member reply, the newer CD changer does play MP3s but I'm not sure what year. My CD changer doesn't play MP3s so that is why I opted to install the auxilliary cable as well in my ashtray compartment which you can see here.

On a side note, another member also mentions that you might need a bracket for your CD changer like the picture below. I also had to buy that bracket from BMW dealer and it was around $38.


http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...94&hg=65&fg=10

IPOD all the way
 

:iagree: What he said, why not go with an iPod connection, you can have your entire music collection on something that fits in the palm of your hand! :thumbup:

Or he can do like some of us have done and have both a CD player and an iPod connection that play almost any outboard device.