I was headed down the same path you are on. But with all the high priced parts with vague application & compatability data, I am now looking at the FM modulator system at a fraction of the price.
What an ordeal this has been. I decide I'll add a 6-Disc CD Changer to my already factory wired 1992 525i. I do some research and find out what is compatible with my BMW-Pioneer Head Unit. I find and buy on eBay a BMW labeled Pioneer CDX-M90 - which is supposed to plug right into the already factory wired connection in the trunk. Not! It needs an adapter - the infamous BMWPIO. In the interim before finding an adapter - I locate and buy on eBay - what I have been told will plug right into the factory pre-wiring - a Pioneer CDX-M30. Not! Now of course, the CDX-M30 needs an adapter - and I order the AAMP BMWPIO/M for $50 delivered as you cannot find these locally even if you live in Tokyo, which I don't. I figure I can resell the BMW labeled CDX-M90 - and did - to a gentlemen in California. The AAMP BMWPIO/M Adapter arrives, I'm all excited 'cause I'll be jamming to Jim Morrison any moment - or so I thought. I had to "alter" the power connection in the trunk as it ain't fitting into the CDX-M30 without a "change". Turns out the CDX-M30 is defective and it ain't playing a CD anytime soon. I arrange to send the CDX-M30 back to the seller. Now I'm getting pissed - someone doesn't want me and Jim to jam together. I send the AAMP BMWPIO/M back to the vendor as well. About the time I do this, the seller with the CDX-M30 has gotten the unit back and emails me to tell he fixed it and wants to send it back to me - now that I have sent the $50 adapter back. I tell him no, just refund the money. My neighbor then gives me his almost new, AC Delco branded Pioneer CDX-M61, which is practically the same unit as a CDX-M30, and which also requires the BMWPIO adapter - which I then order from Dealtree.com. It arrives today and boy am I excited about me and Jim. Alas, what Dealtree calls a BMWPIO isn't - it has two female ends and well, you guessed it, I need an adapter that has one male and one female connection. This explains why Dealtree was selling what they think is a BMWPIO on eBay for $1 - of which I didn't buy one at the time, thinking I didn't need it. I waited until they stopped selling them on eBay for $1 - I ordered from their website for $35. I locate an actual BMWPIO online for $50 - the vendor has a nice big picture showing the connections and it's exactly what I need. I ordered it. It'll be here next week. I should live so long - Jim wouldn't have. I got the refund, minus my shipping, for the first adapter I sent back. I haven't heard back from Dealtree about returning the useless $35 wire they sold me. I haven't got the refund back from the seller of the "defective but I fixed it" CDX-M30. I haven't heard from the guy I sold the CDX-M90 too - but I only shipped it yesterday. If this last adapter turns out to be wrong, I'm switching to an 8-Track.
Last edited by all2kool; 10-22-2004 at 11:04 PM.
I was headed down the same path you are on. But with all the high priced parts with vague application & compatability data, I am now looking at the FM modulator system at a fraction of the price.
The AC Delco branded Pioneer CDX-M61 that my neighbor gave me came with an FM Modulator - if you're interested. It has a wired remote as well.Originally Posted by Blitzkrieg Bob
that would happen to me!
John R![]()
1992 525 IA, EAT chip, 16 x 7.5 Rondell 58's, BavAuto Springs, Bilstein Sports, Elipsoid Smileys & fogs, Z3 Pistol grip shifter, 4 VDO gauge package, Azure Blue w/nice patina - clearcoat shot
I took it out of the old pickup. Technics 8-track, rock on!
Robin
72 Chevy K10
01 E39 M5
All2-
Hey, it's Rob, sorry to hear about your hassles! I had an 8-track in my '78 MGB- trust me, it got old listening to the same 8-track tape over and over (I was 16 and saving money for an Alpine, which it eventually got).
Anyway, the CDX-M90 got here in great shape, now we'll see whether I ordered the right cable from BMA. I'll post a writeup on the Touring installation when/if the right cable and the right brackets arrive
Hang in there!
The cable I ordered from AutoSoundGear.com had a real big picture showing that it is exactly what I need. It'll be here tomorrow - will let you know how my install goes.Originally Posted by Rob Edwards
So my cable arrives - and guess what? It has two ****ing female ends! What is wrong with these companies selling **** they don't have? Am I the only one that expects to get what is advertised? Here's the picture - clearly this does NOT HAVE TWO ****ING FEMALE ENDS! Yet, I got an adapter with TWO ****ING FEMALE ENDS.Originally Posted by all2kool
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Last edited by all2kool; 10-28-2004 at 04:51 PM.
Originally Posted by all2kool
95 E34 530I V2.37
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Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
John F. Kennedy
So I email the company that sold me the useless adapter and they ask that I send it back. I insist that they send me a return UPS label as I ain't spending a nickel to send back a part they sent in error. I send the email several times before I get a response. Their response was: "We have credited your account, feel free to keep the interface". As if I need this useless connection they have sent. My CC has yet to be credited. I see on eBay yet another Pioneer CDX-M30 for sale - and the interface I have will work, if I choose to use it instead of running the CDX-M30's cable to the Head Unit. I'll bid on it later. I'll let you all know what happens. If I win it, and I actually get to play CD's, I'll just ****. Four Changers and three adapters later, I might get to jam with Jim after all.
Last edited by all2kool; 10-29-2004 at 02:55 PM.