Z3 Radio

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   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?

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triumphant59 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 05 Jun 2019 Location: Lincs Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote triumphant59 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Z3 Radio 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?

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Paul Rice Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 17 Aug 2011 Location: Doncaster Status: Offline Points: 748	Post Options Post Reply Quote Paul Rice Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Nov 2019 at 2:08pm
	Lots for sale on EBay as E36 Business Radio/Cassette as fitted at the factory.
	Paul 2003 Z4 2.5 Sterling grey 2024 218 Grand Coupe Misano Blue In love with driving again

triumphant59 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 05 Jun 2019 Location: Lincs Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote triumphant59 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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?

Paul Rice Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 17 Aug 2011 Location: Doncaster Status: Offline Points: 748	Post Options Post Reply Quote Paul Rice Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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 Edited by Paul Rice - 29 Nov 2019 at 2:31pm
	Paul 2003 Z4 2.5 Sterling grey 2024 218 Grand Coupe Misano Blue In love with driving again

Mike Fishwick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2753	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike Fishwick Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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. Edited by Mike Fishwick - 13 Jun 2020 at 2:59pm
	A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!

NickDE Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Region Chair North East Chairman Joined: 14 Mar 2015 Location: Newcastle Status: Offline Points: 1139	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickDE Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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/
	Darkness gone, Tronic gone, Solo gone, DBA gone, go Darknes2, go Frozen, go Black Pearl, go Echo. RIP The Vibrator

DAVE P Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 04 Jun 2013 Location: Cheshire Status: Offline Points: 178	Post Options Post Reply Quote DAVE P Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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.