The CD Changer has gone again and when I mentioned that Titan might have one for sale some weird spell came over Mrs ZC so acting under instructions I am now looking for:
A new Radio/CD/Mp3/memory stick/IPod head unit about which I know very little .
We do not need sat nav or Bluetooth so looking at previous posts Alpine or Sony appear to be the ones that others have successfully fitted.
There is nothing on the Z3's option list for any enhanced system so I am assuming that it is the basic standard system.
Oh and when I mentioned the Stanley Knife method for getting rid of the hump I was told in no uncertain terms to order the new trim panels
Wonder if I should mention a respray before this spell wears off
Zed Carer wrote:I am now looking for.....
A new Radio/CD/Mp3/memory stick/IPod head unit about which I know very little
Wonder if I should mention a respray before this spell wears off
FWIW we have never used the CD facility in our Alpine multi unit
In hindsight I wouldn't restrict my choice by including this "old" technology.
As for the respray, I wouldn't push your luck too far
Sounds like someone is going to be difficult to please.
I have standard speakers in mine and I swapped my old Pioneer multichanger for a newer Pioneer with iPod and USB connectivity a little while back. The plan was to pop the iPod in the car, but in the end I have found it easier (and probably safer from a theft point of view) to use a USB memory stick. I ran the USB lead through into the ashtray and I can pop a memory stick in there (with the tray bit removed) quite easily - in fact with some of the newer sticks being even smaller you might not need to remove the tray. This makes it easy to pop take it out and update it, or to plug another one or an iPod in.
The only dislike I have of mine is the blue display, but they do do them with an orange display which will be much closer to the zed dash lights.
It wasn't terribly expensive and it also plays MP3/WMA CDs as well as Apple format. I purposefully chose one with a removable front as they really are a good theft deterrent. Models will have moved on now, so not much point picking mine out.
One thing mine struggles with is volume from the rear speakers - the standard speakers are rather puny - but it's a roadster and when the roof is down, I honestly don't care what the stereo sounds like.
Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
Wander down to Halfords and have a poke at the buttons. You'll soon see only Alpine, Sony and Becker know what build quality is these days. Incarexpress.co.UK offer good prices.
Search here for footwell amp to see if your car is afflicted with that pig of a setup, you may need new front speakers.
Use the Search button before posting newbie questions about hard tops and fitting kits, footwell speaker amps, water in the boot, hood maintainance and those horrific angel eyes. We get like 10 threads a week on the same subject, it's obvious that you haven't searched.
Removed the CD changer and fitted new trim panels to the boot. Great guide HERE
I also removed the footwell amp. Easy guide to this is HERE
I fitted an Alpine CDE-103BT head unit and also upgraded the front speakers to Alpine SXE-1325S speakers. I got both from Halfrauds but only because I got some vouchers as a Christmas prezzie. You can find both cheaper if you search the web.
The head unit has everything you've said you want plus bluetooth so maybe you can save a few pennies if you don't need that.
Don't forget you will also need a ISO adapter like THIS to fit an aftermarket headunit.
I also got a tiny USB stick that is so unobtrusive when it's in the front panel USB socket.
Trigg that JVC head unit looks good, and not wanting to spend a fortune on a new system, may well be the one for me. How are you finding it in day to day use? Do you have the harmon kardon speakers or do you know if this unit is compatible? I am still confused as to preouts for the amps and how many are required.
I fitted a Sony xplod thing to mine recently - CD, ipod, usb, bluetooth, removable facia etc. Using a £12 loom adaptor from Halfrauds it was plug 'n' play and I fitted it in about 20 minutes. No problems with front speakers and, although the sound quality won't win any awards, it's perfectly adequate for listening to the radio or the occasional CD on the way to work.
It's worth noting that both the sound quality and radio reception are a definite improvement on the standard unit fitted way back in 1997. I don't mind the blue display at night - too busy looking where I'm going
Current...1998 ///M Coupe
Previously...1997 Z3 2.8
I'm not a fan of the becker units purely because the look does nothing for me - they are a quality product though. I've opted for a Pioneer DEH-6700MP. It has a MOSFET 4x50w amp with seperate subwoofer outs and ipod connectivity (although you need to buy the adapter seperately).
It has 8 different color settings, the orange is pretty much identical to our dash:
I tried to avoid the flashy/tacky looking headunits with lots of silver...they just dont look good imo
Shanty
If you don't mind me saying, I think the head unit seems to be recessed too far into the fascia.
I had a similar problem with the Alpine unit which I fitted.
It was even worse because of the "sharp" edge of the aluminium fascia
By placing a couple of packing pieces in front of the "cage" I managed to eke it forward 2 or 3mm and improve the cosmetic appearance.
There is a picture HERE
Mad Max wrote:Sandles? In an M car? Whatever next...?!?
Titan wrote:Shanty
If you don't mind me saying, I think the head unit seems to be recessed too far into the fascia.
I had a similar problem with the Alpine unit which I fitted.
It was even worse because of the "sharp" edge of the aluminium fascia
By placing a couple of packing pieces in front of the "cage" I managed to eke it forward 2 or 3mm and improve the cosmetic appearance.
There is a picture HERE
Mad Max wrote:Sandles? In an M car? Whatever next...?!?
In Oz they would be called "thongs"
Not at all tim, I don't mind a bit of constructive critiscm! The actual face sits about right so pushing the cage out further isn't an option, it does look fine in the flesh to be honest, if anything shaping the outer face plate to match the contours of the dash would improve things but it's not worth the hassle!!
To use my ipod in my Z all I need is a smartscan by iTrip. This just plugs into the bottom of my ipod and by tuning 1 of the radio presets into a secific frequency it transmits through the stereo. It sits neatly on top of the ashtray where you can use the ipod funtions to play select tracks etc. Very rearonable cost and you can put it in your pocket as you leave the car.Simples!!!
about which I know very little 
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