Can anyone recommend a good cd reciever for a 2001 bmw 525i that won't require removing the woodgrain cover?

Question

i don't want to remove the wood grain cover plate so does anyone know of a clean look with an aftermarket cd reciever? Has anyone done this before?

Answer 1

This guy seems to have successfully done it...
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=572843

I suggest you ask the same question at bimmerforums.com or http://www.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/

Also, once you set your vehicle in the crutchfield.com site, key in "steering" in the search window and you'll see various types of interface that would allow you to use your steering wheel radio controls for many aftermarket radios.

Answer 2

If i were you, I'd go to BMW and order a new business cd player directly from there.

If you really want an aftermarket system, you could find an aftermarket stereo and place it where the audio system is. They make converter kits that can fit the stereo to any size opening so it looks professionally done. However, you would still have the business cd player still in your car. It would be completely non-functioning, but you would have the wood grain cover still on it, so you would never have to open it and see it if you didn't want to. Depending on how much you are willing to spend, you could put the aftermarket cd player where the audio system is located, and then find out if you can take out the business cd player and replace it with a plastic liner to turn that area into an additional storage cubby. My decision would be to replace the business cd player. It is more authentic to the car, and gives you more money in resale.

Answer 3

Make sure you look for something with the same amber color as everything else... it was a kind of slap in the face for me with my old 328i, everything was amber but the cd player was green.

I am leaving my M3's stereo stock for that very reason.

Crutchfield is very good... I live about 2 miles from the store location here in VA, I highly recommend them.

Answer 4

Crutchfield! Go to their website or magazine. They make kits for most cars with wiring harnesses and everything! I've used them several times.