So right now, i have the HK 10 speaker system with 6 disk changer in the back. This would be great except i dont listen to radio or cds, just ipod. FM transmiter sound quality is no good, so right now i have the ipod hooked up with a tape adapter. The sound from the tape adapter is driving me nuts so I've decided to replace my head unit. Im wondering what head units are best for keeping a stock look. If that is not possible, Im thinking Indash dvd screen. Any suggestions?

Also, will i have to replace anything else besided the headunit to do this? (amp)???

There's a company (at least one) that makes an ipod adapter for the stock E36 head unit. It connects directly through a cable and if i understand it correctly, allows you to control the ipod through the head unit. If you don't need any additional features, that will satisfy your requirements, and will be a hell of a lot chaper than getting a new HU plus adapter, plus whatever else you decide to upgrade. I don't have a web link, but you can do a google search and you'll find it.

If your car is a '96 or later you can use an ICE>Link or similar ipod adaptor or you could use an add on aux input such as a Blitzsafe.

If your pre 96 you'll have to upgrade your head unit. You may want to consider CD43 Business head unit from a late model Z3 to keep the total stock look. You can find them on ebay.

There's lots of info about the possibilities on this forum. Try searching on "ipod interface".

This is the DICE iPod Integration kit they are referring to (it replaced the ICE > Link):

http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/product.php/II=458/_cid=282

MSS325's recommendations to update the head unit to the CD43 are good, and I would do that if you have a 95 or older E36.

If you want in-dash CD, you may want to consider the Alpine CDA-9856, which is an excellent head unit, but it's not going to give you a perfect match to stock (although it is a clean unit).