RCA Outputs from a 2002 BMW e46 Head? (and other questions)

chrisbyrd · 06-13-2006, 05:15 AM

Hi Guys

Firstly - apolgies if the answer to my questions is already on the board somewhere. I couldnt find it

I'm soon to take delivery of a 2002 BMW 318Ci Coupe, with the basic BMW 'business' sound system

I've done a couple of basic ICE installs and a CarPC before, but I've used a Sony head-unit every time which of course has useful RCA outputs for front, rear and sub

Despite my girlfriend forbidding me to 'muck around with this one - its too nice' like i've done with my previous cars (apparently), I'm rather tempted to upgrade the sound system.

I'm intending to keep the factory head-unit and have the following done:

- Install Parrot 3200 Bluetooth hands free (already got it)
- Install SmartNav nav system (without screen)
- Reasonably compact sub - thinking of the Infinity Basslink?
- Replace and amplify the front components
- Replace and amplify the rear singles

The SmartNav package includes the cost of installation, so I'll forget about that for now

As far as I'm aware, the BMW head doesnt provide me with RCA outputs. My questions are:

- Is there a magical device i can hook up to the output of the head unit that will present me with 3 RCA pairs (front, rear and sub) which I can then pull through to the boot (trunk). If so, where might I find it? Is it that 'navone engineering' unit that the guy is trying to sell as part of his rig in another thread?
- If not, whats the accepted method of doing the above?
- Am I likely to need any extra compents to get my Parrot to mute the audio? It didnt need anything else to hook up to my Sony head as that had the blue mute cable. Is there anything similar on the BMW?

Thanks in advance - be gentle

Will Albers · 06-13-2006, 08:27 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by chrisbyrd

As far as I'm aware, the BMW head doesnt provide me with RCA outputs. My questions are:

- Is there a magical device i can hook up to the output of the head unit that will present me with 3 RCA pairs (front, rear and sub) which I can then pull through to the boot (trunk). If so, where might I find it? Is it that 'navone engineering' unit that the guy is trying to sell as part of his rig in another thread?
Its called a hi/lo level adapter. You can tap into both the front and rear outputs of the radio to allow fader control. You may want to get a corssover for the sub, but Y cables will work in a bind
- If not, whats the accepted method of doing the above?
- Am I likely to need any extra compents to get my Parrot to mute the audio? It didnt need anything else to hook up to my Sony head as that had the blue mute cable. Is there anything similar on the BMW?
Unsure on this one. You could get a blackbox RCA switcher that will switch the inputs for the front speakers when a (Blue) wire is triggered. It basically switches between the stereo/PC and the navigation system. Sounds pretty annoying. The BMW may have a phone mute cable but you will need to discuss this with your nav installer before you have it installed.

1 char

davem · 10-26-2006, 12:16 AM

Yes, I have a e46 M3 and I just used the high-level inputs on my amp and that works great.

Wow, you're setup is pretty much like mine... I have a Parrot 3200 installed, an amp and 10" sub in the trunk and a carputer! And, lol... my friends were over me doing this to my car as well. I had a Prelude before and they were like "dude, don't rice your Beemer"... but in the end it came out really good, so I made them eat their words!