I'm considering waiting and outrageous amount of time and spend an even more outrageous amount of money above sticker price to get my hands on one of the new E46 M3s. I currently drive an E36 M3.

My dealer assures me that the interior of the new M3 (similar to the new M5) DOES NOT include a DIN connector anywhere behind the dash.

Now this would be a deal breaker a far as I'm concerned so here's my question:

Anybody here happens to know if this is true or not?

I know normal E46 3s have a DIN connector but the M3 seems like it's going to be a pain in the neck...

Any insight welcome..
-D

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reg. number 10798 - waiting...

Hmm - when they say din, that usualy refers to the size of the whole in the dash that the head unit requires.

Proud owner of #161

I was talking to him about the connector but you're right, maybe he got it wrong.

He said that the wiring underneath the dash was so complicated that they had to design the dash around it and not the other way around.

Here's a view of the interior to illustrate what I mean.

-D

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reg. number 10798 - waiting...

For some reason, file attachments still don't work on this BBS, so we didn't get that JPG image. (Paul, are you listening?)

To clarify the DIN thing: "DIN" refers to a certain set of standardized components, and can refer to different kinds of things depending on the context. When you are talking about a DIN space in the dasboard, you're talking about the size and shape of the hole for the radio. When you are talking about a DIN connector, you're talking about a certain standardized wiring plug. The Empeg has both: the shape of the docking sleeve is DIN, and the shape of the wiring connector is also DIN.

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Tony Fabris

...and ISO refers to the standardisation committee that produced the ISO standard (I forget the number) connector patterns for car audio components. So possibly, what you mean is that the M3 has got a DIN aperture and may/may not have ISO harness connectors for audio.

If you are paying the sort of money I would expect for a Beemer M3 (no matter what series) then if there is no provision for audio connection, you are being ripped off. I would argue the toss about this, as you will have to consider the costs of a build-in by professionals afterwards if you want to accomodate an empeg, amp and speakers. Be wary of the fact that the story about the wiring is true - think about your dealer warranty before letting people rip the dash out.

The Alfa GTV is faster and handles better anyway, even if the build quality isn't that good...

Dids, I wouldn't worry about whether or not the car has a standardized wiring connector or not. All that matters is whether or not the space in the dashboard can accomodate a DIN-sized aftermarket radio. If there is no ISO-standard wiring harness for the radio, don't worry, you can get an adapter harness from Crutchfield.

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Tony Fabris

Well that's part of the problem. The center console looks a lot like a new M5, meaning it has a small LCD Screen for the GPS and various other gizmos.

The screen takes half the width of the console and it seems like there is no room for a DIN size unit to fit. The only photos we have so far show a cassette player with a vertical opening. On the M5 the CD changer is driven by the LCD screen.

Basically I'm not even sure it fits so that why I'm fishing for info.

Thanks for all your help so far.. I think it speaks a lot for the empeg when I'm actually driving my car choice by wheter I can fit it in or not. :o)

Can't wait for mk2.

-D

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reg. number 10798 - waiting...

If we could see a picture, we may be able to help more

Proud owner of #161

Ok here goes, go to http://www.netdrive.com/~dids and look in my public files. The jpg should be there.

My bad BTW the tape player opening is horizontal.

-D

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reg. number 10798 - waiting...

Some force on the internet must not want any 1 to see that picture, I can't even get it to display from netdrive

Proud owner of #161

This link worked for me... click here

From what I can tell, it doesn't look good.

Kureg

Thats the link I went to in the first place, but now I got it.

But as Kureg said, it doesn't look good at all, it looks very intergrated, with no space what so ever available for you to install it.

Proud owner of #161

It seems in general, BMW designers believe they know better than the buyer as to what av equipment goes into the car. It seems like every time there's a major car audio problem posted to the board, it's a bmw!

Calvin

Umm yeah, very inegrated. (and the steering wheel is on the wrong side! )

what is the section below the stereo/nav control (LCD) section? It may be the air-con.
Depending on room, you may be able to fit it where the change pocket is, infront of the gear stick.

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Murray

Yer - but judging by it's angle, your gonna throw any warentee out the window.

Proud owner of #161

Well, this is the EMPEG board and not bimmer.org, but you may want to have a look at an M Coupe / Roadster. They have a perfectly normal DIN slot in them, and they're still quite zippy.

wooow.. easy now stranger..

This board is all about getting info about installations (well, this section of the board anyway) and this is exactly what I was looking.

If you do go to Bimmer.org you will notice that I have actually posted the same question.

I was only looking for an opinion as to how the two would fit together. Look at this thread and you'll notice that some of the regulars on this BBS have bee very helpful and provided me with their opinion without requiring me to put my flame-suit on like you did.

Oh and BTW, my wife already has an M Roadster and while it is fun, it's only the same engine as my current M3 and not the 340hp one which will be in the new M3s.

-D

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reg. number 10798 - waiting...

I don't think DWallach was trying to flame you, dids. I think he was just being facetious.

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Tony Fabris

When in doubt, flame back! :o)

Sorry DWallach if that wasn't a flame.

BTW, I'm now looking for a place which will custom fit the empeg for me.

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reg. number 10798 - waiting patiently...

BTW, I'm now looking for a place which will custom fit the empeg for me.

Too bad you don't live in Texas...

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Tony Fabris

NOW I could start a real flame war about how actually lucky I am not to live in texas...

-D

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reg. number 10798 - waiting patiently...

Too bad you don't live in Texas...

Did they do an install for you? I have been looking all over town (Houston) to try and find a good installer.

Steve

Did they do an install for you? I have been looking all over town (Houston) to try and find a good installer.

No, I just saw the pictures at their web site (linked in another thread here on this BBS) and was impressed with their custom work. Looks like they would be good at installing an Empeg even if it required a custom enclosure because the car's dash is non-standard. I don't know anything about them other than the web site pictures.

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Tony Fabris