[Deeg]

Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade my stereo in my 2006 '56 Alpina D3. It currently has the base model BMW Business headunit, no bluetooth.

I'm looking to keep the OEM look and was going to replace the head unit with a BMW Professional head unit and then add in the Alpine upgrade later aswell.

My main concern is do I need any coding done so I can use the professional headunit over the business one?

[ctuna]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=704363

[Deeg]

Thanks Ctuna, no I'm no where near London about 10-12 hours drive.

I'm guessing it does require coding to move from business to professional then?

I've searched that whole thread and could only find reference to coding to Hifi stereo.

Cheers

[ctuna]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687463

The guy I pointed out to you has done these.

They still are not a big improvement without amps
and speakers and Hi Fi programming from what I
have read. I unpgraded my Hi Fi setup because its
not all that good either.

[Deeg]

Ok thanks for the link to the upgrade thread, makes a bit more sense now.

I have just secured a Professional head unit very cheaply, and I was hoping to add the alpine kit with the amp which I had hoped to improve the sound compared to the base model. bit worried now that you say you upgraded from the HIFI setup as it wasn't very good either.

[Wongway]

It's all in your level of tastes. My previous BMW was a 2005 X3, and the standard audio system in that was similar to the stock "HiFi" of the E90's. (Probably equivalent to the Alpine upgrade kit) I was never a huge fan of it, but it was grudgingly acceptable. (not really)

My current 2011 E90 has the absolute worst base stereo I've ever heard come out of a vehicle with a BMW emblem on it. No tweeters, no amp, no nothing. Having already known what I had in the X3, I'd venture to say that when improving the audio, skip the Alpine upgrade kit if you care about audio even a little. Mostly because, if you're spending the money, why do it half @$$? Get it done right.

edit:
Also, very jealous of your Alpina D3!

[ctuna]

Hi Fi if you only listen to talk radio and don't want turn it up.
They call it the Premium System it should be called the mediocre
system.

Read the description of the systems in the audio build thread it's pretty right on . (sticky at top of page)
I you are going to get the Alpine you might as well go the extra distance and get a proper aftermarket
amp and speakers. The Pro Head Unit is more about features.
I would consult with Makkan00 he does a lot of work on these system and knows what to do with them.

[ctuna]

The second system here would be killer.

http://www.monsteraudiodesign.co.uk/...gory/packages/

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=822366
note makkan00's comments in the above thread.

BMW stereo types
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138949
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323
http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.cGU&cad=rja
http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872

[Deeg]

Thanks for all the info, I had seen some of it already, but a bit more usefull info is always appreciated. will have a read through it all and see what I'm going to do.

Cheers