First impression - Thumbs up. Fit and finish is perfect. Big buttons don't really look out of place, but small ones will be even better. All the plugs went in correctly. Plenty of room behind the dash for all the wires. Gaps are small and uniform. Tactile input is good. Sound is very clear. No loss of radio reception. Load times are quick. Menus are intuitive. on-screen buttons are good size.
Short answer - Anyone who was on the fence; get off and go order it. You will not be unhappy at all.
Box came with everything needed. Even includes the right connector for both the 99-01 radio and the 02+ radio. Any E46 will plug right in.
Radio install took about an hour including relocating the A/C with a tischer relocation kit.
Someone asked earlier - Yes, I have HK sound.
Steering wheel controls work. Climate control works fine. Everything works like OEM.
Everything is quite quick. Even the CD load time of 3-4 seconds is not bad. The nice thing about the CD is that it restarts from the last place. Also, it displays CD-text file names (nice touch).
The ipod connector is solid. I have an Iphone 3g and it charges and plays (so it will work with all of them). Again, starts from the last place. Can browse by folder, enter track numbers, etc.
Bluetooth sync'd quickly and easily. Browses phone book, recent calls, etc. Call quality is very good and clear, even with the top down.
NAV is instantaneous. Only problem is that I got european maps, so I can't really test the NAV here in the US. It's quick on startup though, I'll add more info when I get the USA maps. Just playing with the UK maps however, there are a ton of POI's and the load time is quick. It also has predictive text which is nice.
I think that's about it for now. I'm really tired. Also, I will try and answer questions, but I am far from an expert on this unit.
Again, get it at Dabears2k.com. Ryan took care of me VERY well. Also, found out there is a 2 year warranty on the unit.
Here's the videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJD5jgxCVkM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUxx4BRzcaQ
Remember, these are good for examples too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmVVYPco_OU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEQ0KRL0mcg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYV0CzLwoi4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-7m53DySS0
Disclosure:
I was an employee of Dabears2k from Dec 2005 - June 2007. That's when I registered here in order to gain more information about becomming a sponsor and selling HIDs.
When I purchased a 2002 M3 Vert in October, I asked the mods to change my name since I no longer work for Dabears2k. (Mods can attest as they denied the first name that I wanted it changed to, since it was advertising for a company that I work for now. So, they changed it to TR_MS3 which was my second choice). I didn't think it was all that important since I don't work there anymore; I am now a paying customer.
Update: Adding Q/A put together by Blue442 for the cliff's notes:
Q: Do you have full ipod control correct?
A: Yes
Q: Does it has tv reception?
A: Yes. You'll need to grab an antenna off ebay or such. Tuner is built in though. Not sure if it will work in the USA on the new digital standard.
Q:dvd's play no problem when you are driving?
A:Yes. You have to ground the parking brake wire, just like on any other DVD setup. It even tells you how to in the instructions.
Q: Do Navi maps work fine when ipod or something else is playing?
A: Yes
Q: Do Album cover's of the songs show up on the screen when in iPod mode?
A: No, it does not
Q: What Maps are included?
A: USA and Canada, iGo map updates can be purchased online for about $50
Q: Do Steering Wheel controls work?
A: Steering wheel controls work for radio/dvd/ipod/cd. Climate control works fine. Everything works like OEM, however lack of steering wheel control for Bluetooth
Q: Is the CD Changer Compatible?
A: No, it is not.
Q: Can you play Ipod Video?
A: Yes
Q: How many Aux ports are there?
A: unit has 2 aux in ports
Q: Where is the Mic
A: The unit comes with a built in mic on the unit (lower left corner) and a wired external mic. Seeing as i have a vert, I put it in the upper corner of the windshield with the wire running up the A-pillar. It's quite hidden. If you have a coupe, there's plenty of wire to mount it in the factory location. The mic just uses a standard 3.5mm jack, so if the BMW factory one has that, you could plug the factory mic into the unit.
Q: How does Bluetooth work?
A: Bluetooth is controlled 3 ways.
You dial on the phone and once you hit send, the stereo picks it up and switches over to the bluetooth screen on the unit.
You touch the screen and return to the home screen and then click bluetooth. Then you use the dial pad on screen or use the phonebook feature on the screen.
You press the large button in the lower right corner of the unit. It takes you to the bluetooth screen. Then you use the dial pad on screen or use the phonebook feature on the screen.
Q: Does Satelite Radio work?
A: If you have a tuner that uses RCA and you can pluig it into the AUX in.
Q: Where is the ipod connector located?
A:in the back or the front? in the back, but it comes with a cable so you can place it where you want
Q: Does this required the use of the AC Relocation Kit?
A: Yes, you can get it from tischer
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...&siteid=214672
Here are the part numbers
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpos...31&postcount=4
51 16 7 001 410 (illuminated)
51 16 7 001 408 (not illumincated)
Q: Does this require cutting into the AC Ductwork?
A: No
Q: Do i need to use DICE with this system?
A: No
Q: Would the unit allow for firmware upgrades if the unit had bugs, and Dynavin released updates?
A: Yep. They said that they will periodically release firmware updates that can be loaded on a USB memory stick or on the microSD card and installed.
Q: Can you play avi/divx files off of the sd card or memory stick as well?
A: Yes, off the memory stick. Have not tested with SD card.
Q: Is it possible to get "names" on the radio channels, or does it just display the frequency?
A: No, no names
Q: how does the ipod integration work. will i be able to swich songs on the steering wheel?
A: Yes. And volume control too.
Q: Does BMW Assist continue to function or will we loose that functionality?
A: No idea. I don't have BMW assist to test.
Q: Is it possible to make the built in microphone work with this unit?
A: Anything's possible. The unit uses a standard 3.5mm jack, so if you can wire the stock mic to a plug like that, then it should work.
Short answer - Anyone who was on the fence; get off and go order it. You will not be unhappy at all.
Box came with everything needed. Even includes the right connector for both the 99-01 radio and the 02+ radio. Any E46 will plug right in.
Radio install took about an hour including relocating the A/C with a tischer relocation kit.
Someone asked earlier - Yes, I have HK sound.
Steering wheel controls work. Climate control works fine. Everything works like OEM.
Everything is quite quick. Even the CD load time of 3-4 seconds is not bad. The nice thing about the CD is that it restarts from the last place. Also, it displays CD-text file names (nice touch).
The ipod connector is solid. I have an Iphone 3g and it charges and plays (so it will work with all of them). Again, starts from the last place. Can browse by folder, enter track numbers, etc.
Bluetooth sync'd quickly and easily. Browses phone book, recent calls, etc. Call quality is very good and clear, even with the top down.
NAV is instantaneous. Only problem is that I got european maps, so I can't really test the NAV here in the US. It's quick on startup though, I'll add more info when I get the USA maps. Just playing with the UK maps however, there are a ton of POI's and the load time is quick. It also has predictive text which is nice.
I think that's about it for now. I'm really tired. Also, I will try and answer questions, but I am far from an expert on this unit.
Again, get it at Dabears2k.com. Ryan took care of me VERY well. Also, found out there is a 2 year warranty on the unit.
Here's the videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJD5jgxCVkM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUxx4BRzcaQ
Remember, these are good for examples too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmVVYPco_OU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEQ0KRL0mcg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYV0CzLwoi4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-7m53DySS0
Disclosure:
I was an employee of Dabears2k from Dec 2005 - June 2007. That's when I registered here in order to gain more information about becomming a sponsor and selling HIDs.
When I purchased a 2002 M3 Vert in October, I asked the mods to change my name since I no longer work for Dabears2k. (Mods can attest as they denied the first name that I wanted it changed to, since it was advertising for a company that I work for now. So, they changed it to TR_MS3 which was my second choice). I didn't think it was all that important since I don't work there anymore; I am now a paying customer.
Update: Adding Q/A put together by Blue442 for the cliff's notes:
Q: Do you have full ipod control correct?
A: Yes
Q: Does it has tv reception?
A: Yes. You'll need to grab an antenna off ebay or such. Tuner is built in though. Not sure if it will work in the USA on the new digital standard.
Q:dvd's play no problem when you are driving?
A:Yes. You have to ground the parking brake wire, just like on any other DVD setup. It even tells you how to in the instructions.
Q: Do Navi maps work fine when ipod or something else is playing?
A: Yes
Q: Do Album cover's of the songs show up on the screen when in iPod mode?
A: No, it does not
Q: What Maps are included?
A: USA and Canada, iGo map updates can be purchased online for about $50
Q: Do Steering Wheel controls work?
A: Steering wheel controls work for radio/dvd/ipod/cd. Climate control works fine. Everything works like OEM, however lack of steering wheel control for Bluetooth
Q: Is the CD Changer Compatible?
A: No, it is not.
Q: Can you play Ipod Video?
A: Yes
Q: How many Aux ports are there?
A: unit has 2 aux in ports
Q: Where is the Mic
A: The unit comes with a built in mic on the unit (lower left corner) and a wired external mic. Seeing as i have a vert, I put it in the upper corner of the windshield with the wire running up the A-pillar. It's quite hidden. If you have a coupe, there's plenty of wire to mount it in the factory location. The mic just uses a standard 3.5mm jack, so if the BMW factory one has that, you could plug the factory mic into the unit.
Q: How does Bluetooth work?
A: Bluetooth is controlled 3 ways.
You dial on the phone and once you hit send, the stereo picks it up and switches over to the bluetooth screen on the unit.
You touch the screen and return to the home screen and then click bluetooth. Then you use the dial pad on screen or use the phonebook feature on the screen.
You press the large button in the lower right corner of the unit. It takes you to the bluetooth screen. Then you use the dial pad on screen or use the phonebook feature on the screen.
Q: Does Satelite Radio work?
A: If you have a tuner that uses RCA and you can pluig it into the AUX in.
Q: Where is the ipod connector located?
A:in the back or the front? in the back, but it comes with a cable so you can place it where you want
Q: Does this required the use of the AC Relocation Kit?
A: Yes, you can get it from tischer
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...&siteid=214672
Here are the part numbers
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpos...31&postcount=4
51 16 7 001 410 (illuminated)
51 16 7 001 408 (not illumincated)
Q: Does this require cutting into the AC Ductwork?
A: No
Q: Do i need to use DICE with this system?
A: No
Q: Would the unit allow for firmware upgrades if the unit had bugs, and Dynavin released updates?
A: Yep. They said that they will periodically release firmware updates that can be loaded on a USB memory stick or on the microSD card and installed.
Q: Can you play avi/divx files off of the sd card or memory stick as well?
A: Yes, off the memory stick. Have not tested with SD card.
Q: Is it possible to get "names" on the radio channels, or does it just display the frequency?
A: No, no names
Q: how does the ipod integration work. will i be able to swich songs on the steering wheel?
A: Yes. And volume control too.
Q: Does BMW Assist continue to function or will we loose that functionality?
A: No idea. I don't have BMW assist to test.
Q: Is it possible to make the built in microphone work with this unit?
A: Anything's possible. The unit uses a standard 3.5mm jack, so if you can wire the stock mic to a plug like that, then it should work.