Retrofitting newer OE radios: learn from my mistake

[Jay 535i]

A while back I posted a thread asking if I could retrofit a radio from a Z3 into my E34. The unanimous reply was, "sure".

Well, it can't be done, apparently, because the newer OE radios aren't compatible with my existing amplifier, and the newer radio can't be heard without an amp. It would be prohibitively expensive to fit and wire an aftermarket amp to the newer radio.

Just so y'all know...

[Rustam]

A while back I posted a thread asking if I could retrofit a radio from a Z3 into my E34. The unanimous reply was, "sure".

Well, it can't be done, apparently, because the newer OE radios aren't compatible with my existing amplifier, and the newer radio can't be heard without an amp. It would be prohibitively expensive to fit and wire an aftermarket amp to the newer radio.

Just so y'all know...

what do you mean "aren't compatible"? in what way?

[Brandon J]

Are you sure? It might depend on the year of the radio. I know of several people who have done it and simply matched the speaker pin-outs. Does the back of the Z3 radio of flat pins or round pins. The round pins are the older version and should work.

A while back I posted a thread asking if I could retrofit a radio from a Z3 into my E34. The unanimous reply was, "sure".

Well, it can't be done, apparently, because the newer OE radios aren't compatible with my existing amplifier, and the newer radio can't be heard without an amp. It would be prohibitively expensive to fit and wire an aftermarket amp to the newer radio.

Just so y'all know...

[Jay 535i]

Hmm, it has round pins.

"Not compatible" is what the radio installation guy said. I don't know a lot about this stuff, so I have only his word to go on.

What can I tell the installer that might help him figure it out?

Edit: I spoke with the installer again, and his explanation was that the newer radio uses a floating ground while the stock amp uses a common ground (or vise versa -- I forget). Either way, they're not compatible.

Does that make sense? I don't understand this stuff very well.

[Qsilver7]

Jay, I'm can't give you instructions on how its done...but the CD43, C43, and C33 units from the Z3 and Late e36 BMWs can work in the e34 & e32.

One of the biggest hurdles for you is that your car is a 1990 model...the wiring harness is not plug-n-play in your case (you need to have a 1991-up for plug-n-play)...but others have successfully installed these radios.

Here's a link from RF where Ben installed a BMW CD43 unit into his 1988 750iL (e32): http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e32/5196716-1.html

You may have to do some searching in the RF archives to find the pin outs and how to connect the wiring for e34s and e32s older than 1991 models.

Good luck.

Compatible BMW Radios:

BMW CD43 (single in-dash CD/Radio)


BMW C43 (cassette/radio w/RDS/PTY)


BMW C33 (cassette/radio w/weatherBand)


BMW Radios that AREN"T Compatible:

BMW CD53 (single in-dash CD/Radio)

[Robin-535im]

Gale has a newer 3-series radio in his e32, maybe he'll see this and post to it. I can vouch that sound does indeed come from the amp on his

[Jay 535i]

Thanks.

If anyone knows how it can be done, please let me know. The installer I spoke with, who seemed very knowledgeable, assured me I couldn't make it work without buying a new amp.

I do have the proper harness to fit the newer radio.

Again, the installer said that the problem was with common versus floating grounds, whatever that means.

[darron525]

what model are you trying to fit? here is an old post from George when he did the cd43 retro fit. The pictures aren't there anymore but maybe the write up will help you.
here you go:http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4998


darron

[Jay 535i]

Thanks.

Here's the radio I'm trying to fit:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-R...spagenameZWDVW

[gale]

I know for sure the C43 and CD43 are a direct fit in 92 and newer. Couldn't tell which model the ebay ad is for. If you can get a year that the radio was manufactured, Shogun can get you the schematic for the pin-outs. At most it would probably be a matter of re-arranging the pins in the harness socket to get it to talk to your existing amp.