My E23 aftermarket headunit install

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brickwhite
Posts: 797
Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2010 3:29 pm
Location: Broomfield, CO

My E23 aftermarket headunit install

Post by brickwhite »

I wanted a stereo that looks somewhat Factory, not all shiny like a disco ball.

I found this one. Continental/VDO head unit with no CD and has bluetooth.

Putting VDO/conti TR7412UB-OR headunit in my e23,

Taking out the OLD:

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This is the fader my e23 uses.




For the power antenna I was able to just connect the White antenna wire into A5

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....



What came in the Box from Germany: Paid about $135 shipped


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Very shallow and fits in our cars well:
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Had to buy these Off ebay to make the connections, They are Standard ISO connectors:

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Back of the unit:


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Our antenna fits with no issues:

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Sorry for the potato pics

I've been using it for about 4 months now, I had to run new speaker wires. But so far so good. (will need to update speakers in the future)

May be some Infinity 4629CFP

But for the price and ease of install, it's much better than my stock head unit, The guy I got if from on Ebay shipped it quick (less than a week from Germany)

Pros
- no static
- nice clear audio
- Price
- close to OE look, amber is close too
- pretty easy to install
- Has bluetooth Streaming from phone (works well) pandora, itunes, etc
- Has bluetooth Phone options, did not run the other (supplied) micrphone so you would have to talk toward the headunit mic under the dial.
-Made a call without the additional Mic and it works pretty good, you need to talk louder toward the head unit but it works.

Cons
-no preout connections to add amp/etc
-protrudes out farther than oe Radio when mounted
-Mounting the cage is OK, not as solid as OE radio (but that's how most install)
-Aux (USB) port does not charge device , only reads MP3 info
-Did not come with Wiring (iso) harness had to order
- 12 535i
- 92 325ic
GazM3
Posts: 1791
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:55 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: My E23 aftermarket headunit install

Post by GazM3 »

Nice

I have to replace the head unit in my e23 also as i dont have casettes anymore.


how did you address the fader, do you still have it go through it or did you bypass it altogether? Im thinking whether to run wires direct to the speakers from the head unit or go through the OEM wires. Not keen on removing all the console to feed wires to the rear
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brickwhite
Posts: 797
Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2010 3:29 pm
Location: Broomfield, CO

Re: My E23 aftermarket headunit install

Post by brickwhite »

I ran all new speaker wire it wasn't too bad.
- 12 535i
- 92 325ic
wattsmonkey
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Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:58 pm
Location: Cheltenham, U.K.

Re: My E23 aftermarket headunit install

Post by wattsmonkey »

That looks great: thanks for posting.

Rob
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
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Brucey
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Re: My E23 aftermarket headunit install

Post by Brucey »

nice, although it would be even nicer for us RHD guys if it had the on/off control on the RHS rather than the LHS.... I was so happy when I found a head unit with the on-off switch on the RHS of the panel!

cheers
~~~~~~~~~~~~Brucey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
wattsmonkey
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Posts: 1649
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:58 pm
Location: Cheltenham, U.K.

Re: My E23 aftermarket headunit install

Post by wattsmonkey »

Brucey wrote:nice, although it would be even nicer for us RHD guys if it had the on/off control on the RHS rather than the LHS.... I was so happy when I found a head unit with the on-off switch on the RHS of the panel!

cheers
Turn it upside down!
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
francoid

Re: My E23 aftermarket headunit install

Post by francoid »

Brickwhite, do you still like the Conti radio you installed? How has it behaved? Looking to possibly do the same you did...
Would also prefer low level connections but I can do without.
Thanks
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