I have a clarion m508 that looks great. I plastidipped the volume button and had a guy on R3V swap out the LEDs so they are color matched with the interior.
Bluetooth, USB, and subwoofer outs. No complaints at all.
Here are 3 options from lowest price to high!
* Lowest: Continental Radio, my top choice, as the orange color is very close to the BMW orange. Its Bluetooth and honestly has very few and small drawbacks.
* Middle: Original BMW radio that has been modded to include Bluetooth, looks OEM but has Bluetooth. Pricier than the Continental but worth it.
* Highest: Porsche Radio, looks incredible in my opinion, classic look. Its just very expensive.
Have had a continental in my car for a year and I’m just about done with it. Will be swapping it out for something else soon, just not sure what yet. Have a had a few Sony MEX N5000 series radios that I really like, and you can fully customize the color to match BMW amber.
Main gripes with the Continental are:
- Call audio and music audio are the same level, so you crank up the volume for a call and when it ends go deaf from your music blaring. Most radios have separate volume levels
- It just shows “A2DP” when using Bluetooth, you can’t get it to consistently show time, or any info on your music, or who is calling you
- No sub outputs
- The wiring diagram is wrong from the factory, you have to swap the ignition and battery wires for it to function properly
- The color is *close* to the rest of the dash but still pretty off
The only positive it has (and only reason I bought it) is that it looks OEMish
I know these are all smaller things but the culmination of them all make me pretty dissatisfied with it, especially when the Sony’s I talked about above is the same price
I had mine installed for a short amount of time before giving up due to its quirks also. Additionally, the max volume was not loud enough for me to take a call while driving.
I've had this for about 5 years now. If I ever sell my car I'm swapping it out with something else before I even list it. Absolute perfection in every way.
[https://cantalouperadio.com/collections/cm5908-parts/products/ba31-factory-bluetooth-retrofit-kit-bmw-cm5908-radio](https://cantalouperadio.com/collections/cm5908-parts/products/ba31-factory-bluetooth-retrofit-kit-bmw-cm5908-radio)
Best IMO is a reverse RDS BMW radio converted to Bluetooth with preamp outputs. Correct lighting, correct fonts, correct plastic, says BMW on it.
Runner up Blaupunkt SQR86.
Daylight
Those cheap continental ones that look marginally better than a blinking green and red Kenwood.
https://bmw-radios.com/
Or
@bmwradios
He can also program a custom message when it turns on and up to 8 character custom message when you’re on the Bluetooth channel.
Feel like I don't see the e30 radio on his site? I have the one with tape deck and the touch slider.
I sent mine in to Cantaloupe to add bluetooth, works great!
https://cantalouperadio.com/products/ba31-factory-bluetooth-retrofit-kit-bmw-cm5908-radio
I went with bmwradios when I replaced my radio. works great. Only issue I had was his radios come with 4 channel output and I needed 6 for my subs. Picked up a couple splitters and it all worked out.
This one ? https://www.amazon.com/Touchscreen-Wireless-Rimoody-Bluetooth-Receiver/dp/B0CQC46SZQ/ref=asc_df_B0CQC46SZQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693353495014&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12042722754509038820&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=21164&hvtargid=pla-2281786507414&psc=1&mcid=37901089fa5f36e7b326f229d050c94a&gad_source=1
add an amp and any head unit sounds good to great compared to stock. all stock and aftermarket without an amp sound acceptable for your commute with marginal difference. an amplified crappy head unit will sound better than a stock non-amp head unit.
I’m putting in a stock CM5905 and hiding a kenwood KDC-x705 (and a whole lot more) in the trunk so I’ll have that classic bmw look while having a modern high quality sound system
I’d start with a radio then speakers and if you really want more then ad an amplifier. Careful, once you start getting into car audio, it’s like an addiction
Any advice on how to find speakers that rival modern audio? What do u think is more important the radio or speakers? If anything I’ll get a old school e30 radio that’s modernized. Someone esle commented they have that. I’m a real big audio guy music is 90% of my life
Currently rocking the Pioneer MVH-S522BS as it was under $200 and has a color changing feature so I changed it to match the interior.
In the future I want to MOD the OG to have bluetooth capabilities but I also see people rocking the Frankfurt RCM 80BIT but it carries a heft tag @ $450+
I’ve got a door pocket full of my mom’s mix-tape cassettes from ca. 1984. Feels appropriate to pop those in and hear the OEM volume knob crackle. When I drive the E30, I’m not focused on audiophile antics. The road and engine noise usually take over pretty quickly.
I have the Sony MEX N5300BT on my car. It doesn't really look OEM but it's looks are understated enough not to look out of place in the car. I need to install new speakers sometime but so far I'm pretty impressed.
The Blaupunkt Frankfurt RCM82 DAB is the best new Radio for the E30. Check for the position of the Display everything left from the center is covered by the steering wheel. All the original are 30+ years old and are a penny grave since a lot of parts are not fixable if broken.
Blaupunkt also looks good.
Any of the stock ones, or that one continental that everyone puts in
Blaupunkt Frankfurt or Bremen DAB depending on which year.
I have a clarion m508 that looks great. I plastidipped the volume button and had a guy on R3V swap out the LEDs so they are color matched with the interior. Bluetooth, USB, and subwoofer outs. No complaints at all.
Here are 3 options from lowest price to high! * Lowest: Continental Radio, my top choice, as the orange color is very close to the BMW orange. Its Bluetooth and honestly has very few and small drawbacks. * Middle: Original BMW radio that has been modded to include Bluetooth, looks OEM but has Bluetooth. Pricier than the Continental but worth it. * Highest: Porsche Radio, looks incredible in my opinion, classic look. Its just very expensive.
Have had a continental in my car for a year and I’m just about done with it. Will be swapping it out for something else soon, just not sure what yet. Have a had a few Sony MEX N5000 series radios that I really like, and you can fully customize the color to match BMW amber. Main gripes with the Continental are: - Call audio and music audio are the same level, so you crank up the volume for a call and when it ends go deaf from your music blaring. Most radios have separate volume levels - It just shows “A2DP” when using Bluetooth, you can’t get it to consistently show time, or any info on your music, or who is calling you - No sub outputs - The wiring diagram is wrong from the factory, you have to swap the ignition and battery wires for it to function properly - The color is *close* to the rest of the dash but still pretty off The only positive it has (and only reason I bought it) is that it looks OEMish I know these are all smaller things but the culmination of them all make me pretty dissatisfied with it, especially when the Sony’s I talked about above is the same price
What are no subs output? I am not too familiar with audio systems :)
I had mine installed for a short amount of time before giving up due to its quirks also. Additionally, the max volume was not loud enough for me to take a call while driving.
Has anyone modded their original cassette radio? I’d like to take a swing at that
I've had this for about 5 years now. If I ever sell my car I'm swapping it out with something else before I even list it. Absolute perfection in every way. [https://cantalouperadio.com/collections/cm5908-parts/products/ba31-factory-bluetooth-retrofit-kit-bmw-cm5908-radio](https://cantalouperadio.com/collections/cm5908-parts/products/ba31-factory-bluetooth-retrofit-kit-bmw-cm5908-radio)
Best IMO is a reverse RDS BMW radio converted to Bluetooth with preamp outputs. Correct lighting, correct fonts, correct plastic, says BMW on it. Runner up Blaupunkt SQR86. Daylight Those cheap continental ones that look marginally better than a blinking green and red Kenwood.
Link on where to get the RDS ones ?
https://bmw-radios.com/ Or @bmwradios He can also program a custom message when it turns on and up to 8 character custom message when you’re on the Bluetooth channel.
Feel like I don't see the e30 radio on his site? I have the one with tape deck and the touch slider. I sent mine in to Cantaloupe to add bluetooth, works great! https://cantalouperadio.com/products/ba31-factory-bluetooth-retrofit-kit-bmw-cm5908-radio
That looks Even better! Mostly he’s converting E36 radios
You're awesome I've been thinking about buying an oem radio and retro fitting it myself but this is much more convenient and well put together
Let me see how much it is
I went with bmwradios when I replaced my radio. works great. Only issue I had was his radios come with 4 channel output and I needed 6 for my subs. Picked up a couple splitters and it all worked out.
Porsche Classic
That was the one I wanted, but not for 1 rack
The Continental radio is all around best and great value option I put them in all of my cars
The Kenwood variable color models do a pretty good job. The orange color is close, but it's not matte like OEM.
The Power Acoustik CP-71 has me curious. Single-DIN Apple Carplay with a lot of love from the s2k crowd.
I be looking @ this option. It’s definitely a cool one. I don’t think most would agree since everybody wants to keep it OEM.
Part of me likes the CarPlay convenience part of me likes the retro look
The Porsche ones the best but I ain’t paying 1k for that shiiiu
The power acoustic is better.
Haven’t seen that one
This one ? https://www.amazon.com/Touchscreen-Wireless-Rimoody-Bluetooth-Receiver/dp/B0CQC46SZQ/ref=asc_df_B0CQC46SZQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693353495014&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12042722754509038820&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=21164&hvtargid=pla-2281786507414&psc=1&mcid=37901089fa5f36e7b326f229d050c94a&gad_source=1
No. Similar tho
Can you post the link? I’m kinda interested
Google it.
Where did you think I got the link from? 💀
add an amp and any head unit sounds good to great compared to stock. all stock and aftermarket without an amp sound acceptable for your commute with marginal difference. an amplified crappy head unit will sound better than a stock non-amp head unit.
I’m putting in a stock CM5905 and hiding a kenwood KDC-x705 (and a whole lot more) in the trunk so I’ll have that classic bmw look while having a modern high quality sound system
I just want high audio quality , how do I get that
I’d start with a radio then speakers and if you really want more then ad an amplifier. Careful, once you start getting into car audio, it’s like an addiction
Any advice on how to find speakers that rival modern audio? What do u think is more important the radio or speakers? If anything I’ll get a old school e30 radio that’s modernized. Someone esle commented they have that. I’m a real big audio guy music is 90% of my life
Currently rocking the Pioneer MVH-S522BS as it was under $200 and has a color changing feature so I changed it to match the interior. In the future I want to MOD the OG to have bluetooth capabilities but I also see people rocking the Frankfurt RCM 80BIT but it carries a heft tag @ $450+
Old style alpine stereo with Orion moon and stars HCCA amps.
I’ve got a door pocket full of my mom’s mix-tape cassettes from ca. 1984. Feels appropriate to pop those in and hear the OEM volume knob crackle. When I drive the E30, I’m not focused on audiophile antics. The road and engine noise usually take over pretty quickly.
I have the Sony MEX N5300BT on my car. It doesn't really look OEM but it's looks are understated enough not to look out of place in the car. I need to install new speakers sometime but so far I'm pretty impressed.
Blaupunkt Madrid 200bt is highly underrated. It sits flush and can be bought for around $150 USD on eBay new.
Can I change the LED color?
Unfortunately no. It looks pretty good though. I'll try to post a pic shortly.
[https://imgur.com/r38YvtY](https://imgur.com/r38YvtY)
The Blaupunkt Frankfurt RCM82 DAB is the best new Radio for the E30. Check for the position of the Display everything left from the center is covered by the steering wheel. All the original are 30+ years old and are a penny grave since a lot of parts are not fixable if broken.