New head unit recommendations?

Head units and speakers, MP3 and CD changers, GPS and SatNav, plus PDAs, mobile phones, Bluetooth, TalkAbouts...
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Warrior
Joined: Tue 11 May, 2010 10:02
Posts: 497

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

New head unit recommendations?

Post by Warrior »

My zed 3 has a multi (too many!) buttoned all singing all dancing SONY unit running through standard speakers. In 3 years I've not yet learnt everything it can do so am looking to change to something new.

I don't need fancy screen displays, options to set play for opera, rock, pop, acoustic etc.,

I would like buttons that aren't 3mm diameter, Bluetooth capability for phone and a decent sound that's loud enough to make me look an absolute pratt at the lights :D but without having to add woofers, tweeters etc.,

Ideas?
Mugs
Joined: Wed 07 Aug, 2013 01:26
Posts: 341

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by Mugs »

i always find alpine to be the best sounding and easiest to use (unless you get a competition head unit), have them in all our cars. :wink:
Martini
Joined: Tue 26 May, 2015 14:24
Posts: 21

  M coupe S50

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by Martini »

If you don't look for most advanced stuff, you might want to consider the Parrot Asteroid classic :

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Added bonus : you'll have a (small) satnav in a 1 DIN form factor, which is quite rare nowadays.
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by Southernboy »

Try getting your hands on a Becker......... Bluetooth / front loading CD / iPod or stick aux...

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Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
Posts: 2136

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by Del »

Mugs wrote:i always find alpine to be the best sounding and easiest to use
I agree, it is said that Alpine made the original BMW ones.
An important feature is to get one with an "amber" (not red) backlight so that it matches the rest of the dials and looks professional/OE. Alpine usually have "amber" available. :D

Like you, I tend to be pragmatic about these things, I agree you need a Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone facility these days. Personally, I don't believe a CD playing facility is necessary - it only means the inside of a soft-top car is potentially cluttered with CDs. Halfords are currently selling an Alpine unit for around £70 which has the Bluetooth hands-free facility plus several options to play music i.e. radio :D , USB slot, aux plug hole and IPOD connectivity. So you can carry your entire music collection on either an IPOD or cheap USB stick :)
bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
Posts: 1733

  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by bertiejaffa »

Del wrote:
Mugs wrote:i always find alpine to be the best sounding and easiest to use
I agree, it is said that Alpine made the original BMW ones.
An important feature is to get one with an "amber" (not red) backlight so that it matches the rest of the dials and looks professional/OE. Alpine usually have "amber" available. :D

Like you, I tend to be pragmatic about these things, I agree you need a Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone facility these days. Personally, I don't believe a CD playing facility is necessary - it only means the inside of a soft-top car is potentially cluttered with CDs. Halfords are currently selling an Alpine unit for around £70 which has the Bluetooth hands-free facility plus several options to play music i.e. radio :D , USB slot, aux plug hole and IPOD connectivity. So you can carry your entire music collection on either an IPOD or cheap USB stick :)
I agree too, not with the Alpine comments as I don't know about them but definitely with the Bluetooth audio streaming, much easier than CD etc. i use my iPhone to store all my music but a Bluetooth iPod or such devise is just as good. I will be getting a replacement unit for my ///M this summer and will definitely check out the Alpine range.

However, what I can also recommend is getting a unit with a rear USB port and the running a lead out from the back of the unit, under their centre console and trim and then out at the rear of the car - either where the rear switches are or, like me, out at the back of the central storage box. I have one of Barry's 2nd generation arm rests and this is perfect for this kind of modification. This way I have the choice of either using the streaming Bluetooth for my music (ideal for shorter journeys when I have plenty of charge on my phone) or to play music via the USB connection And charge my phone without having unsightly wires sticking out of the lighter port
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peter2b
Joined: Sat 01 Nov, 2014 18:47
Posts: 963

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: cheshire

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by peter2b »

I've just got a Pure Highway H260DBI does dab, fm ,am radio blue tooth with hands free phone calling ,ipod/phone and USB connection and cd player and a few other things that I haven't sorted yet like variable Colour display £ 140
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OXO
Joined: Wed 31 Mar, 2010 08:32
Posts: 567

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: France

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by OXO »

Found this. It looks really nice, and good spec, low price.

http://www.auna-multimedia.co.uk/In-Car ... hwarz.html

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petecossie
Joined: Wed 11 Apr, 2007 13:13
Posts: 160

  M coupe S50
Location: Billingham

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by petecossie »

I have the Alpine CDE-136BT which I'm very happy with, which has the amber backlight. Its a DAB radio (you need to change the aerial as OEM item isn't compatible) which has my iPod connected to it in the glove box, also Bluetooth paired to my iPhone. The OEM CD player isn't connected but that's no great loss.
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Jonttt
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Joined: Sun 28 Dec, 2008 16:32
Posts: 6554

  M roadster S54
Location: Liverpool

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by Jonttt »

Depends on your budget........ becker are the best value but also one of the more expensive. The reason, the porsche and ferrari guys love them for their classics, so expensive to get hold of but retain / go up in value. So you can spend c£100 on a radio which will be worth £0 in 3 years or £400-£500 on a becker and get your money back / make money in 3 years.

VDO do some good classic options as well. None of the current Alpines / Kenwoods etc..... offer the correct look for a Z3 dash IMHO.

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Martini
Joined: Tue 26 May, 2015 14:24
Posts: 21

  M coupe S50

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by Martini »

Well integrated 1-DIN & Google maps, any idea beside the Parrot Asteroid classic ?

It's not a big problem to me if it doesn't look vintage.
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OXO
Joined: Wed 31 Mar, 2010 08:32
Posts: 567

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: France

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by OXO »

Martini wrote:Well integrated 1-DIN & Google maps, any idea beside the Parrot Asteroid classic ?

It's not a big problem to me if it doesn't look vintage.
What is the use in posting a unit which is discontinued?

New parrots are hundreds of euros. The one I posted is £55, a bargain.
Martini
Joined: Tue 26 May, 2015 14:24
Posts: 21

  M coupe S50

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by Martini »

I asked about a newer solution which would be as good as the 1-DIN Parrot.

Your unit is crap.
Last edited by Martini on Tue 11 Oct, 2016 08:58, edited 1 time in total.
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BladeRunner919
Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
Posts: 2225

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by BladeRunner919 »

Gosh, this thread's getting a little 'testy'!
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by mrscalex »

Suggest a mod cleans this one up. Don't like to see comments like this on the forum.
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OXO
Joined: Wed 31 Mar, 2010 08:32
Posts: 567

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: France

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by OXO »

mrscalex wrote:Suggest a mod cleans this one up. Don't like to see comments like this on the forum.
Don't look then.
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knighthawk
Joined: Mon 17 Oct, 2011 11:45
Posts: 30

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by knighthawk »

:shock:
OXO wrote:
mrscalex wrote:Suggest a mod cleans this one up. Don't like to see comments like this on the forum.
Don't look then.
Martini
Joined: Tue 26 May, 2015 14:24
Posts: 21

  M coupe S50

Re: New head unit recommendations?

Post by Martini »

Back to the topic...

Has anyone encountered an Android unit that works well with the Z3?
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