Hey!!! LOOKIE what I DID!!! Fail=OUT / Success=IN

[Bonswa]

Alright... I've finally decided to ditch the aftermarket NAV setup idea (Avic-Z2/3) and go with the business CD player (post 9/2002) with the AUX input creatively placed. My cupholders were broken, and I stole this idea from another member during my research. Thanks Chiefwej http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...44&postcount=5

My first thoughts... I cant believe I didn't do this earlier. <-- That's a yawn.

I did clear up something that I've heard mixed things about in the past. While researching this mod, I've had a few people tell me that with the business CD and AUX input, I would lose my CD changer. I didn't. I'm sure this isn't some new revelation, but it is to me.

Now, I have my 6-cd changer in the trunk, I have the single cd in the dash, and I have the AUX input. I thought for sure that i was going to be stuck with only a single CD player and AUX input.

So... I didn't do any write-up because there's a few out there and they're all the same. It's too easy to go into details.

Below, you will see the before and after shots. You will also see a video of all of the features. Pretty neat.

Now, the only way that I could justify NOT going the aftermarket NAV route, was to convince myself (my wife) to get the bluetooth retrofit from Bimmernav. No No No... I know what you're thinking, but I didn't do it yet. That's next on the list.

Check it out!

Before:::::::::: BMW FAILCASSETTE & FAILCUPHOLDERS!!!



AFTER::::: SUCCESS!!!



The Video::::: (POST UBERFAILURE!)

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...t=CIMG3825.flv

[gottabethejays]

nice

[e39kid]

very nice...

I was going to do that but then i got to thinking and went this route....

i decided to go aftermarket Clarion cd player for the MP3 part of it and the head unit i got takes usb drives so that sold me bought a 8gb drive with tons of songs. got the unit just havent put it in yet...now i can since my issues are done.

[Bonswa]

I hear ya.. If i was going to go aftermarket, it was going to be the Avic-Z2 or Z3. I would get the Nav, Bluetooth, DVD, and Ipod all in one. With the Janus-Design bezel, it would look as close to OEM as possible. But... instead of spending almost $2k for everything, i spent $190 for the Business CD player AND the OEM AUX input cable. Now, i just need to find a used Bluetooth retrofit and i've got everything.

I decided against the NAV, since i use my Iphone anyway for it. I decided against the DVD, because i really dont need it, i guess.

That USB is a plus for you. My friends 135i has it and it's soooo convenient.

[joako]

I kept the stock tape player and ordered a Dension Gateway 300. Yes, it replaces the 6-disc changer but I mainly just play cds I burn from the computer.

With the Dension gateway 300 you can plug in a USB drive (or an iPod), control from the steering wheel and get to keep the pretty look of the stock radio/MID.

Now, if it will only show up... the vendor I ordered it from doesn't really deal with BMW and they are telling me it's getting shipped from Hungary.

[VaE39]

Looks awesome. I want to do this with mine too. Where'd you get the parts from?

[Bonswa]

I kept the stock tape player and ordered a Dension Gateway 300. Yes, it replaces the 6-disc changer but I mainly just play cds I burn from the computer.

With the Dension gateway 300 you can plug in a USB drive (or an iPod), control from the steering wheel and get to keep the pretty look of the stock radio/MID.

Now, if it will only show up... the vendor I ordered it from doesn't really deal with BMW and they are telling me it's getting shipped from Hungary.

I like the gateway 300, but here's my deal:

The ONLY mp3 player that i would use is either an Ipod or my Iphone. That being said, I have WAAAAAAAY to many folders and sub folders to be digging through using the steering wheel. I thought it was cool at first. Then, i realized that in my wifes car (pre-wired for aux) i navigate through the playlists and albums on my iphone with no problem. Basically, its much easier for me to find what i want to hear by using my iphone than it would be for me to scroll through. Now, If i was going to just use a USB, that would be different. I wouldnt have so many folders and subfolders.

Looks awesome. I want to do this with mine too. Where'd you get the parts from?

I got EVERYTHING from Ebay. This guy Robert is an incredible guy. he knows a lot about BMW's too, so that helped in making sure i had the correct production date.
He had two business cd players for sale, both from 03 e39's.
I purchased one. I convinced him to put a buy it now price on it .
He still has another one for sale on Ebay. There's less than one day left on it, and he's selling it cheap. It's in this link below:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E...rQ5fAmplifiers
Let me tell you, this guy shipped it using 2-3 day priority, he wrapped it so intricately that it protected the plastic edges. When i opened it up, it was IMMACULATE. it looked brand new.

The aux cable can be purchased from the dealer for around the same price as ebay. I just wanted the feedback so i purchased on ebay.

The cup holder needed replacing. same as with the cable. I get dealer prices from the dealer, so it's just as cheap at the dealer as it is on ebay. I purchased one, drilled a hole, shoved the AUX cable through, voila!

[VaE39]

OH man thanks for that link. What is the year and production date on your car anyways?I wanna know if this will work with mine. I have a 99, 10/98 production date.

[FP5241]

Nice work!
That AUX port looks cleanly done.

[RJLupin]

Bonswa, the video opened me eyes Neato

can you please share with me the details of the aux install? links/posts? I have a 03 525i w/ business CD and would like to get that AUX thingie installed ... I don't need 6 cd changer so just the aux is enough for me

thank you~

[M13]

Nice upgrade.

Does anyone make a storage tray that can go in that slot? I have my DICE kit now and don't need the cassette player, nor a CD player.

[E39K3V]

nice work!

[rmkonrad]

looks good

[Dliniypasha]

sweet!!

[Bonswa]

OH man thanks for that link. What is the year and production date on your car anyways?I wanna know if this will work with mine. I have a 99, 10/98 production date.

I believe my production date is 12/01. I would need someone to confirm the actual dates, but some earlier years have the round pins in the back of your casette. You need the one with square pins to get away without splicing everything. If you have the square pins, no problem.

Nice work!
That AUX port looks cleanly done.

I didnt know that was you..... Sneaky avatar guy

Bonswa, the video opened me eyes Neato

can you please share with me the details of the aux install? links/posts? I have a 03 525i w/ business CD and would like to get that AUX thingie installed ... I don't need 6 cd changer so just the aux is enough for me

thank you~

You've got the hard part done already. All you need is one simple part below:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E...fAudioQ5fVideo

Use the guide below to get the MID and CD player out. Once it's out, there's only one place that the AUX cable plugs into. If you want to mount it where i did mine, then take the BMW "cupfailer" out feed the cable down to it. drill a hole and mount. Honestly, once it's connected, you can pick any spot to mount. Are you sure you dont have one already in your glove box. I thought 03's with business cd came with them. if not, you can mount it there too.

http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/M...0(archive).htm

Nice upgrade.

Does anyone make a storage tray that can go in that slot? I have my DICE kit now and don't need the cassette player, nor a CD player.

Hmmm.... that would be nice. for you.
You could just do the center console storage tray conversion. I'm keeping my eyes open for parts to do that.

nice work!

looks good

sweet!!

Thanks.

[bryan3091]

Nice man. Very nice.

Would this mod work on an e46 with business cd?

[cdb3113]

Where did you get the Business CD from? I didn' see it above...

[xisco44]

i have the aux in on my car aswell but i didnt neet to replace my 96 casette or pay more than 5 bucks to create the cable

[Bonswa]

This is a repost from above for the CD player. This is an exact duplicate of the one i purchased. When I tell you "MINT", this thing is in great condition.

I got EVERYTHING from Ebay. This guy Robert is an incredible guy. he knows a lot about BMW's too, so that helped in making sure i had the correct production date.
He had two business cd players for sale, both from 03 e39's.
I purchased one. I convinced him to put a buy it now price on it .
He still has another one for sale on Ebay. There's less than one day left on it, and he's selling it cheap. It's in this link below:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E...rQ5fAmplifiers

Let me tell you, this guy shipped it using 2-3 day priority, he wrapped it so intricately that it protected the plastic edges. When i opened it up, it was IMMACULATE. it looked brand new.

I HIGHLY recommend purchasing this one. $150 right now with no bids on it. STAY FAAAAAAR AWAY FROM LKQ!!!!!!!! I wont go into details, but it's not good.

i have the aux in on my car aswell but i didnt neet to replace my 96 casette or pay more than 5 bucks to create the cable

Did you do the soldering retrofit?

[cdb3113]

If it is there when I get home from work... no eBay at work.

The 03' works in my high OBC 98'?

[crdiscoverer]

I still don't know how to do it in my case since the cassette player has bass/treble/balance/fader buttons. All CD units I've seen have just one or two buttons; what do you do in those cases? It wouldn't be a problem if my cassette player had the aux port, but I don't know that either

EDIT: I just found Qsilver post on another thread. With the business CD player those controls get automatically moved to the lower display/buttons. Great! I should be doing this same thing soon. I dunno if I have the round pins or what though...

[BlackBMWs]

same question for me.

Bonswa, nice clean job! I'll search out the DIYs. I suspect I have the round pins... Don't know if this will work for me...

[Bonswa]

I thought i read somewhere, from Qsilver, that there's a simple adapter for round pins

Man, watching my own video makes me realize how much of a tool i am. Thumbs up??? I mean, who does that??? Who takes a video with their camera???

Ended on a good song though. Almost like an outro to the video.

[muddy4dsm]

I thought i read somewhere, from Qsilver, that there's a simple adapter for round pins

Man, watching my own video makes me realize how much of a tool i am. Thumbs up??? I mean, who does that??? Who takes a video with their camera???

Ended on a good song though. Almost like an outro to the video.

post up if you find this adapter how-to. I assume this is for the pre 2003 (9/2002) DSP cars?

[PutterMcGavin]

...I'm not sure I've ever seens as many smileys in a single past as I did for the first one