in dash radio opinions

[Unregistered]

I'm thinking of getting one of these:
http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&catoid=-8864&qp=0092108653247&oid=69693

If I install it...I was going to have CC do it since they'll install for free...will I be able to use my 6 disc changer that's already in the trunk? I like the factory radio but the ability to insert CDs at will if I want plus a few more watts would be sort of handy. :)

[Phil M]

Thats a nice deck..if you really dont care about it being silver and not "matching" the rest of the console. Personally, I had to have a black deck with orange lights to match up my dash.. I went with a Clarion Pro Audio DXZ535 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ucHgbdVQch6/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=020DXZ535) (click for link) for about 1/3 of the price of that Alpine. It has great reviews (Remote, CD text, Sirius support, CD changer control, etc.) and the best thing (i think) is that you can choose from 80 diff colors to match the orange lights. That same line of Pro Audio Clarions has higher end stuff too for about as much as that Alpine deck. The DXZ835MP (http://www.globalsupersale.com/inc/pdetail?v=1&pid=7102) is my favorite and if I had enough money I would have gotten that instead.

Also no aftermarket stereo is going to be able to work with your CD changer in the back.. I looked into this as well and all the stereo specialists said that it was obsolete. But you will find many people willing to buy it from you OR you could keep it in case you were to sell your car. I went ahead and sold my changer and my stock head unit for about $175.

[kbchia]

There are many players that come with MP3 capabilties. One CD will replace all the music from a 6 CD changer. So we can get rid of that changer in the trunk. Each directory on the MP3 CD will act like an album. You can rip all your cds into a few MP3 CDs. Audiophiles may not like the sound quality. I can't tell the difference.

Just my thoughts.

cheers,

chia

[Warren N.CA]

make you feel like you're driving a Honda. You might also consider a LARGE rear wing on the trunk, to complete the ensemble. Don't forget the big round tach mounted on top the dash. Accessorize your new look with fuzzy dice suspended from the rear view mirror.




I'm thinking of getting one of these:
http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&catoid=-8864&qp=0092108653247&oid=69693

If I install it...I was going to have CC do it since they'll install for free...will I be able to use my 6 disc changer that's already in the trunk? I like the factory radio but the ability to insert CDs at will if I want plus a few more watts would be sort of handy. :)

[Elekta]

I'm picking up my wagon today...

I'm getting a 4 channel planet audio amp put under my seat, a five band eq in the glovebox with an aux input that'll plug n play an ipod or XM or whatever I want, 8 new speakers with custom crossovers, and a self amplified bazooka subwoofer that can unplug if I need the space in the back.

I am keeping my alpine head unit and 6banger in the back.

$1100 installed...I gave my guy my nikon coolpix so I'll post whatever pictures he took later tonight.

I am totally stoked. My only worry is that in the desire to remain stock appearance, the limitations of the head unit and cd player in back will disappoint me. I just hated the looks of the new decks, and most would have me give up my cassette player which I didn't want to do.

I feel I am replacing what really needs replacing. I'da hated to replace the head unit just to further prove how crappy oem speakers and amps were. This will give me great infrastructure, and hopefully I won't have to change out the head unit. The eq was an xtry $165, but I went for it anyway even tho I dont' have an ipod or a MS equiv....that will solve any MP3 issues, which frankly I don't have right now.

[MikeV]

I went with the Alpine CDA9811 MP3/CD player... I changed the faceplate button colors from green to orange and keep the screen on "blank" most of the time - so it's not too bad looking. The Clarion or Nak units would look significantly better, tho. I only paid something like $230 for it, and it sounds great, so I can't complain.

[Jason]

they look very similar to stock, have the right lighting and have a 6 disc "music bank" in dash. on the downside, you would loose the tape and they arent cheap... just a thought.

[Jason]

i have seen a later model bmw single disc installed in an E30... its an interesting option if you can procure one. the lights definately match and it looks like it belongs

[Mark B.]

Phil,
Any chance you could snap a picture of your Clarion with the amber display in your car? You could email it to me if you want. I would love to see that. I'm in the market for a in-dash CD player also.

Thanks,

Mark
(markcbauman@yahoo.com)

[Mark B.]

also ... crutchfield says it does not fit the E34?

[Phil M]

I have a day shot of it right here.. Ill take a night shot asap.
Also, it definatly fits. Any standard size DIN will fit in there. The only thing is that there is very little space back there for the harness and wires so you have to figit around to get it to fit.

http://img14.photobucket.com/albums/v43/pmartin245/clarion.jpg

[Paul in NZ]

next time ensure all slide controls line up and dials are parrallel and faceplate has no macdonalds finger marks :p :D

[Phil M]

Ahh you caught me. I shoulda known nothing gets past yall. Damn those digicams :P




next time ensure all slide controls line up and dials are parrallel and faceplate has no macdonalds finger marks :p :D