Ok, I know quite a few of you guys have upgraded the stock radio to something a lot more up to date. So I know it's possible. Now, I have this '91 iX that uses the same radio -- Pioneer KE-83ZBM --



that came standard in the '89 535 I used to have. And, it has that bizarre proprietary connector block on the back.

So here's my question: what the heck do I have to do to install something newer in there? I looked at Crutchfield and they list a couple of dozen 'compatible' radios, and they say I need two things: a BMW receiver harness - http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Sv42hfj...sp?i=120709195 and a PAC OEM-2 gizmo - http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Sv42hfj....asp?i=127OEM2

This doesn't make sense to me. Why would I need that harness adapter? Does it plug into the existing car's harness and mate up with the OEM-2? That is, you'd assemble the adapter and OEM-2 on your workbench by crimping wire to wire, and then the RCA plugs connect to the new radio?

Or, on the other hand, would the OEM-2 just connect to the harness in the car after you cut off the old connector block?

Or, does the OEM-2 mount in the trunk next to the amp?

Second issue: how do these new radios mount to the existing panel? I'd be willing to bet that they don't have pentagonal socket head screws that expand ears into the frame. I'm after a maximally pain-free upgrade process. Nothing fancy here, just something to slide in there and use the existing amps and speakers.

I really need help here guys. This is the wife's car and it's not working. It ate a tape and now it thinks there's a tape in there, but there isn't, so there's no radio function either. This is rapidly becoming a household priority. I'll be most appreciative to anyone who can spell this out for me.