Z-series - Z3 Radio

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Z3 Radio

Printed From: BMW Car Club Forum
Category: Cars & Registers
Forum Name: Z-series
Forum Description: Discussion forum for the Z-series
URL: https://www.bmwccgbforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=15707
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 4:04am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Z3 Radio

Posted By: triumphant59
Subject: Z3 Radio
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2019 at 10:24pm

My 2000 Z3 is fitted with a Sony radio, linked to what I believe is the original 10 cd multi changer fitted in the boot. I would like to fit an original radio unit. I guess it would have had a cassette player originally? Can someone tell me what model it would have been and what other cars it was fitted in?

Replies:

Posted By: Paul Rice
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2019 at 2:08pm

Lots for sale on EBay as E36 Business Radio/Cassette as fitted at the factory.

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Paul 2003 Z4 2.5 Sterling grey
2024 218 Grand Coupe Misano Blue
In love with driving again

Posted By: triumphant59
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2019 at 8:59pm

I have a Sony cdx 656 multi changer fitted in boot, will it be comparable with a bmw business radio cassette player?

Posted By: Paul Rice
Date Posted: 29 Nov 2019 at 2:30pm

The business unit is compatible with BMW's OEM CD stacker. Not sure whether the SONY unit would work, Job for Audio specialist (OEM CD stackers are plentiful on facebook

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Paul 2003 Z4 2.5 Sterling grey
2024 218 Grand Coupe Misano Blue
In love with driving again

Posted By: Mike Fishwick
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2020 at 1:01pm

About the only use of an old radio/cassette player is to maintain originality - if that floats your boat! With some people asking up to £400 for a BMW business radio/cassette such an originality fetish can be expensive.

If you do fit such an antique curiosity, think about using the CD changer socket on the radio to connect with an MP3 player subtly hidden in the glove box. You will thus be spared the usual rattling of cassettes, having to find the one you want, inserting it and looking after the used cassette. Cassettes and CDs are pretty pointless in a car, unless you enjoy the 'classic' background noises produced by worn tapes, and the limited reproduction qualities . . .

You can obtain a front boot lining to cover the space vacated by the CD changer, which makes a huge difference in terms of usable boot space. This was my first modification, and I covered the gap left with pieces of the original 'bulge' which had surrounded the CD changer.

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A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!

Posted By: NickDE
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2020 at 8:24pm

Blaupunkt supplied many of the BMW OEM radios. They now have a very classic looking Bremen with high grade modern internals. Would look spot on in a Z3.

https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/classic-car-stereos/blaupunkt-classic-car-stereo/" rel="nofollow - https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/classic-car-stereos/blaupunkt-classic-car-stereo/

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Darkness gone, Tronic gone, Solo gone, DBA gone, go Darknes2, go Frozen, go Black Pearl, go Echo. RIP The Vibrator

Posted By: DAVE P
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2020 at 11:36am

Old post so hopefully the original poster has got sorted out with a replacement head unit, there are some good new retro looking radios available normally suited to the 911 owners who want to stick with period looking radios. The standard fit radio for the UK Z3 range was the Business RDS which can be picked up in reasonable condition from about £50 upwards rare models like the Professional RDS which was an expensive factory option are commanding £400 plus and even as high as £800. In my opinion nothing looks worse than a cheap aftermarket headunit fitted to a classic older BM. I wouldn't say having a period correct headunit was a fetish more a sign of good taste but each to their own.