BMW 316Ti Compact - Despearate for MD......

[Hudson]

Ok i have tried the BMW forum but to no avail, so given the rather vast combined MD knowledge in this forum i hope you can help.

I have just bought a very nice 2002 BMW 316Ti SE Compact with the standard BMW Radio/Tape head unit (awful), this has to go. I also have a 6 CD changer in the boot (ok).

My ideal solution is to find a BMW Business MD53 headunit to replace the existing tape deck, but these are a very rare thing indeed. My next solution was to replace the godawful headunit with a BMW Business CD player up front (for looks mainly) and then find a Sony MDX-66XLP 6 disc changer. I understand with an adaptor i can replace my BMW 6 disc changer in the boot directly for this unit and then work it from the BMW unit upfront..... is this the case. Also can anybody give me any other ideas on how to keep a stock BMW unit up front but have MD in the car ? Apart from my 2 options noted..... oh, and if anybody does own a mint condition, boxed, never used BMW Business MD53 headunit then a kings ransom is waiting at my house !!!

[sfbp]

There should be no problem with connecting an S-link device (Sony bus) to something else provided you know what the something else is - at the electrical level. Installer.com seems to have most of the converters. I bought one for Sony->Chrysler, and I have to admit, it was not a great success, because the programming of the thing was not finished. Every time I got a track that got to 9m59s the counter stuck until 11m0s (and same at 19m59s etc too).

So you need to know what the head unit does. What sort of connector does the CD changer attach with?

I assume you have already sourced an MDX-66XLP. They are not so easy to find, and I had to get mine from Japan, second hand.

IMO you can't do much better than simply go all-Sony. The existing speakers should be fine with the Sony headunit, of which there are dozens to choose from, just make sure the one you pick has changer control coming out the back. Installation aside you should be able to pick up a nice one for under 50 quid. Any of them will work your proposed 66XLP, which unit will fit almost anywhere (even in the glove box if you're desperate).

[Azureal]

I have a '99 328i which I would love to do the same thing with. I have the business CD head unit and the car is pre-wired for the CD changer. I looked for the MDX-66XLP unit a few years ago and could not find one a the time.

Just found this: MDX-66XLP Not too sure about buying that way, but it sure is tempting. Stephen, what sort of adapter would be needed?

Hudson have you confirmed that the BMW CD Business head unit can control this device?

Does this device use a 12V Chassis ground electrical system?

[sfbp]

Note that the nice display thingummy attaches not to the 66XLP but to the RF modulator-controller. If you get a head unit that can actually talk to the changer then everything else goes away (you really don't want the RF modulator, it is a last resort).

There are lots of these in Japan and sometimes a few in the UK.

As to the converter, it has my reservations, and my conclusion is the same... trust Sony+Sony.

Ooohhh go look at piccies at installer.com. Is it POSSIBLE that BMW is actually using a Sony interface?

Finally, this article about head unit installs looks pretty much on-point for you Beamer owners.

[Hudson]

Cheers for all that, to answer a few questions.... I do not yet have the Sony changer (can't find one just like the BMW MD53 !!!!). As far as i know the BMW headunit upfront will work the changer, which currently has a nice little home in the boot (where the current BMW 6 disc CD changer is). I understand that i can use the existing, already wired changer lead in the boot and just plug in an adaptor for fitment of the Sony MD changer. This can then be worked from the headunit just like the factory CD changer.

I don't think it makes any difference whether i have a Business Radio/Tape // Business CD or even the elusive MD53 headunit, they can all work the standard BMW 6 Disc changer so they will all be able to work the Sony MD changer. All i need to do now if find either one of them.

Just to clarify i don't want a Sony headunit upfront, i want to keep it all BMW stock, i will be adding a Blaupunkt 4 channel (plug & play) amp and a Blaupunkt active sub at the same time as i add the new headunit / changer.

Wish me luck.

[sfbp]

Can you post a picture of the pin end of the cable that goes into the BMW changer? I looked for the adapter but the one I found seems just to have gone off the market.

I know you don't really want to have "non-BMW" in your car. But these units are ISO standard size, so it may be just as easy to give the headunit you take out a rest in your garage, and get a Sony.

Here's an example for you:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-CD-Player-xplod-CDX-GT610U-/160617571827

Note that Sony changers always come with the 15 ft cable. This includes the MD changer and any CD changer (there's one that plays MP3 CDs as well as ordinary ones, but unfortunately not Atrac CDs). Threading the cable should be no big deal.

One more thing - I don't think you can have both changers in your car at the same time without a switcher box. Sony has one, called the XA-C40

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RfCSBz95Gse/p_158XAC40/Sony-XA-C40.html

Unless BMW/Alpine allows the daisy-chain in some unrevealed fashion, this kind of box is the only way to accomplish that. The XA-C40 (and its predecessors second hand) is readily available. If you can make the existing wiring to the boot work with Sony, the hardest question is can the Alpine headunit switch between the devices via this box or not? My guess is not.

[Hudson]

The reason for keeping the BMW unit upfront is simply for the looks, i find in cars like BMW that most after market units stand out like a sore thumb, i will not be keeping the BMW 6 CD Changer if i find the Sony MD changer, i will swap like for like. My biggest problem at the moment is finding either item.

[sfbp]

I plan on putting the original unit back in both cars that I converted, in each case before resale of that vehicle.

I went the same route as you initially, and did not get satisfaction until I went all-Sony. I see no reason why the right head unit should look in the least incongruous.