What would a 1986 euro M6 have installed originally and or what would you suggest as a viable alternative for the correct period look in keeping with the car?
I'm not looking for flashing lights but more along the lines of discreet and as much as possible a period look perhaps even with the option to hide and connect a cd changer to it somewhere.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Cheers.

My 85 635 euro came with a Becker mexico (digital) or Becker grand prix (US) same style. My car came with the accessory booklet and that model was the top pick.
I think any Blaupunkt 80's model will work as well and you can easily adapt a cd changer.

There were quite a few models used originally. The CD53 from a late 90's Z3 (and several other models) is a good replacement.

My understanding is that there was a significant mix of brands when talking 'factory' radios for 80s BMWs. It was largely dependent on the market in which the car was sold, different importers and different years. Australia had a mix of Becker and Eurovox, the UK was mostly Pioneer and the US used Becker, Alpine and Blaupunkt.

Dealerships selling imported cars face excise and tariff costs, so most dealerships found it to be a lot cheaper to source locally available head units in bulk rather than have to pay importing duties on whatever audio equipment may have been selected by Munich at the time. The locally sourced units would be purchased specifically for installation into these vehicles, hence the little BMW logo sometimes on the cassette flap, but basically the brand of head unit 'originally' in the car is pretty much down to the market the car was sold in, the particular dealer/importer, and the time period.

I have a Blau;punkt Monterrey tape head in real nice condition, complete with the adaptor harness.. It is totally period correct. Make me a fair offer AND IT IS YOURS, as i am going in a different direction

Dealerships selling imported cars face excise and tariff costs, so most dealerships found it to be a lot cheaper to source locally available head units in bulk rather than have to pay importing duties on whatever audio equipment may have been selected by Munich at the time. The locally sourced units would be purchased specifically for installation into these vehicles, hence the little BMW logo sometimes on the cassette flap, but basically the brand of head unit 'originally' in the car is pretty much down to the market the car was sold in, the particular dealer/importer, and the time period.

I don't believe that (well maybe for Aus, I don't know anything about it there) because there is a massive list of factory option radios. The option list for my car specifies "BMW Bavaria CR radio".

I don't believe that (well maybe for Aus, I don't know anything about it there) because there is a massive list of factory option radios. The option list for my car specifies "BMW Bavaria CR radio".
Fair enough, I'm relaying info I've heard elsewhere so my US info could be misguided. However, the Australian brochure for '86 model 635s show Becker Mexicos fitted to all cars, the previous owner of mine had taken the Becker out as it didn't work, he showed it to me in his garage. But when I've been to a dealership and quoted my VIN their info states the vehicle came with a Eurovox.

But since you're in Australia, you drive on the wrong side of the road. so i would expect that your radio knobs are backward too. plus with your english heritage, there might even be some residual Lucas Smoke in the electrical system so i'd be cautious about left hand drive radios ;)

But since you're in Australia, you drive on the wrong side of the road. so i would expect that your radio knobs are backward too. plus with your english heritage, there might even be some residual Lucas Smoke in the electrical system so i'd be cautious about left hand drive radios ;)

lol, I haven't heard a reference to Lucas smoke in years!! The last time I saw any of that though it was coming out of the vacuum cleaner, thankfully not the car, however I was vacuuming the car at the time! Surely you suffer Lucas smoke over there though too, you guys also have English heritage.

There are actually a number of significant advantages in driving on this side of the road. Being right-handed, I'm a much more accurate shot with my right hand, so its much easier for me to shoot the bad guys while driving to work than if I had to do it with my left hand on the other side of the car. This allows me to keep my left hand free to adjust the radio. I can even spin my gun on one finger like the old-time gunslingers used to do.

The problem with right-hand drive is that most aftermarket car radios are made for the left-hand drive market, so the volume knob is way way away there on the left-hand side of the unit.

The problem with right-hand drive is that most aftermarket car radios are made for the left-hand drive market, so the volume knob is way way away there on the left-hand side of the unit.

There's a simple solution for that, get the old 2 knob kind with the 8-track player in between, and just mount it upside down.

I think my car has a HK radio. I know the speakers are HK for sure. Its a Canadian spec car so maybe thats what they came with.

lol, I haven't heard a reference to Lucas smoke in years!! The last time I saw any of that though it was coming out of the vacuum cleaner, thankfully not the car, however I was vacuuming the car at the time! Surely you suffer Lucas smoke over there though too, you guys also have English heritage.


I had heard that back in the 70's, Lucas decided to diversify its product line and began manufacturing vacuum cleaners. It was the only product they offered which did not suck.

The Lucas Smoke is not the problem it used to be over here because of these fine kits for replacing the smoke back in the harness. Here is the original Ad:
http://www.mez.co.uk/lucas.html

Lucas Replacement Wiring Harness Smoke

http://www.mez.co.uk/smoke2.jpg

http://www.mez.co.uk/smoke3.jpg

Thanks for the memories CW6er. I had forgotten the pleasures of owning a 59 MGA and a 65 AH 3000.