Happy New Year All!
The Z3 will be coming out of the garage in a few months and am looking to upgrade the stereo.
Anyone got any opinions on which ones are best? got about £2-300 quid to blow, heard that those Becker units are pretty good, was also looking at an alpine.
Any recommendations welcome
Cheers
Buz
Z3 Head Unit
Z3 Head Unit
''need I remind you 007, you have a licence to kill...not to break the traffic laws''
Depends how much you want to keep OEM looks and what facilities you need.
The Beckers IMHO are the best solution as you can keep OEM looks and have all facilities (ie depending which model: Sat Nav, Bluetooth phone connection, the best Ipod interface there is) and good quality sound but they are not cheap and rare 2nd hand. ps you can also wire them into your cars GAL control (speed sensitive) to automatically adjust volume with car speed.
Others have fitted Alpine units which look pretty good for 50% of the cost (usually with bluetooth and ipod control but not sat nav)
My Becker Cascade:
The Beckers IMHO are the best solution as you can keep OEM looks and have all facilities (ie depending which model: Sat Nav, Bluetooth phone connection, the best Ipod interface there is) and good quality sound but they are not cheap and rare 2nd hand. ps you can also wire them into your cars GAL control (speed sensitive) to automatically adjust volume with car speed.
Others have fitted Alpine units which look pretty good for 50% of the cost (usually with bluetooth and ipod control but not sat nav)
My Becker Cascade:
Just be careful which "colour" you get for the display.
The cascade are programmable so no problem but from memory the obvious Red version is not as close a match as the YELLOW display to the rest of the dash (you may have to check that on previous thread if you do a search on here on BECKER)
Sometimes you see a bargain one but it will be a green (or similar) display which would not work.
nb search German eBay as well as they sell cheaper on there
You can also search for ferrari units as they are the same but usually command a premium for the little horsey badge
The cascade are programmable so no problem but from memory the obvious Red version is not as close a match as the YELLOW display to the rest of the dash (you may have to check that on previous thread if you do a search on here on BECKER)
Sometimes you see a bargain one but it will be a green (or similar) display which would not work.
nb search German eBay as well as they sell cheaper on there
You can also search for ferrari units as they are the same but usually command a premium for the little horsey badge
Would look good but is an older unit I think (pre bluetooth so no hands free) and a little over priced becuase of it but does look in good condition if pic is current.
You need to check has the GPS receiver (can't see it on the pic), codes, MAP disc, (and microphone unit if bluetooth).
The ipod interface cables are c£90 but allow you to leave an old ipod in you glove box and control fully from the head unit).
To be honest I would be looking to get that for £250 or less. I would keep on my watch list and if no one bids send the seller a PM offering £250 ?
ps you'll just need a harness convertor, you can pay £10+ at Halfords or get a ROVER one from eBay for a couple of £
Its worth getting to know the current range from the becker site
http://www.mybecker.com/enUK/Automotive.html
and looking at prices new to set a 2nd hand benchmark.
You could get Cascade new from Germany for c£550 a year or so ago but I'm out of touch now.
Remember these will always be worth decent money 2nd hand so if you keep your old headunit you will always get back c30% of the cost in a few years (where £200 on an Alpine will be worth next to nothing as an "old" model in a few years )
You need to check has the GPS receiver (can't see it on the pic), codes, MAP disc, (and microphone unit if bluetooth).
The ipod interface cables are c£90 but allow you to leave an old ipod in you glove box and control fully from the head unit).
To be honest I would be looking to get that for £250 or less. I would keep on my watch list and if no one bids send the seller a PM offering £250 ?
ps you'll just need a harness convertor, you can pay £10+ at Halfords or get a ROVER one from eBay for a couple of £
Its worth getting to know the current range from the becker site
http://www.mybecker.com/enUK/Automotive.html
and looking at prices new to set a 2nd hand benchmark.
You could get Cascade new from Germany for c£550 a year or so ago but I'm out of touch now.
Remember these will always be worth decent money 2nd hand so if you keep your old headunit you will always get back c30% of the cost in a few years (where £200 on an Alpine will be worth next to nothing as an "old" model in a few years
)With Jonttt's helpful advice I have just ordered a Becker Traffic Pro DTM GPS. Cant wait for it to arrive although i'm on holiday for a week next week so its a job for the week after 
Just wondered if anyone has fit one of these before? I fancy having a go myself. Have had a quick search but it was rubbish
Cheers
Buz
Just wondered if anyone has fit one of these before? I fancy having a go myself. Have had a quick search but it was rubbish
Cheers
Buz
''need I remind you 007, you have a licence to kill...not to break the traffic laws''
(nb prices shown are excl VAT)
, I spoke to a couple places that sell Becker and they said it stopped 6months ago. There is a place that sells them on ebay £65+11delivery (200562830949).
There is a kit if you look at the brochure above.
I don't know whats included in this but if the headunit comes with the GPS receiver etc... then I can't think what could be in the kit apart from a harness adaptor which you can get for £4 off eBay and just wire in the GAL signal yourself (in fact order 2 harness adaptors as you can use one of the wires and bullet connectors to make up the GAL unless your good with electrics and can be bothered getting the parts cheaper). I wouldn't put it past BMW asking a lot for a bespoke harness adaptor
Wait and see what you get with the headunit and post up pics, we'll be able to tell if you have everything you need
I don't know whats included in this but if the headunit comes with the GPS receiver etc... then I can't think what could be in the kit apart from a harness adaptor which you can get for £4 off eBay and just wire in the GAL signal yourself (in fact order 2 harness adaptors as you can use one of the wires and bullet connectors to make up the GAL unless your good with electrics and can be bothered getting the parts cheaper). I wouldn't put it past BMW asking a lot for a bespoke harness adaptor
Wait and see what you get with the headunit and post up pics, we'll be able to tell if you have everything you need
