XSeries-forum

Folks, I know this has been done to death, so I apologise in advance, however when I went looking for an old thread to bump up rather than starting a new one, photobucket appears to have killed all the photos.

Basically, I was always under the impression that the air box or duct had to be butchered to allow a double Din to fit in an E46/39/53. However despite being convinced I’d read this numerous times on here, I couldn’t actually find any reference to it in said old threads.

I removed my 16:9 screen at the weekend and this is what I was faced with;



I’ve fitted plenty of stereos in my time, including double dins, and to me it looks like one should fit in here without any cutting.

Can anyone advise? If cutting is required, could someone identify exactly which bit?

As an aside, does anyone know what make the oem digital tv tuner is? I’d love to be able to get it working with a replacement unit, but I reckon chances will be slim to none.

I believe that if you had the Business radio then there was a frame fitted that had to be chopped to fit a Double din unit, if you had the Professional Sat Nav set up then no chopping required.
Video signal is driven by the Nav computer with a secondary signal from the TV unit (made by Lear), if the Nav dies there is a basic function menu supplied by the TV unit. Getting the BMW TV unit working with another Head unit would I believe need some sort of ibus interface to convert the signal, then a little programming.

If your fitting an upgrade headunit it would be simpler I think to fit a matching DVB TV tuner maybe a DAB unit too.  The Old BMW tech wasn't easily upgraded which is why the units still sell for silly prices just look at ebay or similar.
When something gives up on my all original set up I will go Dynavin or similar and sell the rest to recoup some of the cost.

Thanks for that. Yes I see the cage for the Business radio needs cut, but perhaps I must've been thinking of the E46/39 with regards to air box cutting.

Sadly this in itself poses a problem because when you cut the cage of a Business radio, you are then left with something to fit an aftermarket unit into. However because there is a large void when the nav screen is removed like in my photo, there is nothing for the new cage to be mounted to.

The only official E53 option I saw was a metal cage at $150, but thats a bit steep for my liking.

Connects2 do 2 for an E39;

http://www.connects2.co.uk/Product/ProductItem/CT24BM08

http://www.connects2.co.uk/Product/ProductItem/CT23BM09

I have contacted Connects2 today and they cant guarantee they will fit an E53, but I dont see why not? In the E46 you can actually remove the cage surround by removing the trim on either side to access screws, then that would allow the installation of the CT23BM09, but I'm not sure if the E53 is built the same.

But looking at the CT24BM08, to me it looks like I should be able to screw in 4 screws in the holes on the side into the flat plastic in the sides of my opening?! Bit of a gamble at £60, so I would appreciate anyone elses input here first!

Unfortunately I can't remember where I read it, on here or another forum but I do remember they had nothing complimentary to say about that cover. Out of interest what are you going to fit in replacement of the original unit.

Which one? To be honest if I can confirm 1 of them will work I wouldn’t be too worried about how it looks!

More than likely going for either a Kenwood DDX4017DAB or Pioneer AVH X490DAB.cant decide which at this stage!

Just to follow up, after much deliberation I went for an Xtrons double din adapter for £15 on eBay. When it arrived it was loose in the opening, so I had to do a bit of a bodge and stick some bits of cable tie, credit card and Lego around the edge to make it fit tight.

Got it all installed over the holidays, along with a Kenwood navigation unit. While I was running the wires from the boot to the front, I decided to put RCA’s in and get a wee sub too. My wife hasnt spotted it yet but I expect to be getting a divorce when she does! It’s only an 8” active Alpine unit, but it’s a grand job. Not sure how I coped with 2 12” JL subs when I was younger!

Pics attached of bits stick on, and finished article. Still needs stereo surround slotted in but I’m delighted with it!

Looks good.  I’m in the process of fitting a double DIN into my sons Audi A2, similar problem with the cage which needs lots for modification.  I bought him the extrons Android nav unit for Christmas complete with reverse camera and DAB interface. Should be good when I get it all working.

I also meant to add that I have zero radio signal issues. I recall reading recently someone mentioning about X5’s having poor signal with aftermarket units, but mine is 100%.

A good job well done