Alpine CD changer question...

[Dave M]

I'm tossing around the idea of buying a CD changer for the e34. I've seen the alpines on for sale on e-bay and wonder whether its a wise idea to invest in electronics this way. I'd like to keep the stock head unit and will upgrade my crackling, $hitbox speakers.



BMW P/N 82-11-1-468-014.

Questions:

1) What is the consensus on the alpine CD changer in general?
2) Is installlation relatively easy? (I'm electronically challenged)
3) Does anyone here have one for sale? (would prefer to purchase from someone on the board)

Thanks again

[shragon]

imho, it's a POS. brand new, it'll work good for a few years. after that, expect for cd's to get stuck (very common problem with these bmw-alpine changers). mine finally crapped out on me a month ago, so i took it out and threw it in the trash. i installed my changer in 2000 brand new.

[Russell]

Get the pioneer unit. It is much more reliable than the alpine. It is my understanding they are interchangable. Still expensive new from BMW.

I'm tossing around the idea of buying a CD changer for the e34. I've seen the alpines on for sale on e-bay and wonder whether its a wise idea to invest in electronics this way. I'd like to keep the stock head unit and will upgrade my crackling, $hitbox speakers.



BMW P/N 82-11-1-468-014.

Questions:

1) What is the consensus on the alpine CD changer in general?
2) Is installlation relatively easy? (I'm electronically challenged)
3) Does anyone here have one for sale? (would prefer to purchase from someone on the board)

Thanks again

[shragon]

Get the pioneer unit. It is much more reliable than the alpine. It is my understanding they are interchangable. Still expensive new from BMW.

you are correct, they are any interchangable.

[Elekta]

I kept my OEM head unit, and I'm pretty satisfied.


I did replace all the infrastructure, and while that was an investment, I do have all the guts necessary to drop in the Nak Head Unit whenever I feel richer or dissatisfied. You do notice finite amounts of distortion (i.e the limitations of a 90's head unit with new amp, eq, and speakers), and it does become the weakest link. However, it does allow your upgrade a 2 stage process.

I bought this Pioneer CD changer on the bay


put alphasonics in the dash



and mids in the kicks and rear ceiling


New amp under the driver's seat



The eq in the glove has an aux input for ipod/xm additions as well as seperate volume control for the quick connect self amplified bazooka subwoofer



This was $1000 all installed, and I am super happy. I will at some point swap out the head unit for the Nak, and then I will have zero distortion, and no real engine noise suppression issues, which is the one headache with matching new gear with the old changer and head unit. But at this point I am plug and play, and I still enjoy a cassette deck in the headunit, though if I ever get the Nak Head unit, I will still be able to plug a walkman into the eq.

If you had to choose between the Subwoofer and Eq, I'd go with the Eq, but the point is to get an amp that yo can grow with, and get all the wiring done to add these items later

good luck

geoff

[Dave M]

glad to see someone enjoys the stock changer. If I can ask, how much did you pay on e-bay for the pioneer? I Likely won't do half of what you did, but good info none the less.

Dave