replacing stock head unit - coding?

[KevinC]

My just-purchased ZHP's head unit has a FUBAR volume-on/off knob. Getting it fixed would be as expensive as simply replacing it with an Ebay unit. If I do this, does the new one need to be coded by the dealer? Any other issues or is it (hopefully) just plug & play? I see one now out of another '05 (critical because I want to keep MP3 compatibility, and I believe '05 is the first year) for < $200 that I'll jump on if it's a simple swap. Thanks.

[UdubBadger]

should be simple swap since aftermarket ones are simple swaps as well.

[spencers]

No issues. Plug and play.

[Ryans323i]

The only issues I've ever had, is when you replace with an aftermarket unit you need a PAC device to retain steering wheel control of the stereo.

[ryankokesh]

My '04 reads mp3's. Although I believe the head unit may have been replaced under warranty, so that was a pointless comment...


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[az3579]

No coding needed.


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[sna77]

Read this:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=722025


via Delmarco...
Here is the complete list of all the BMW Business CD53 Units manufactured and dispatched for the USA E46 cars from 1998 to 2007:

1998 to 2001 E46 Cars
Blaupunkt, Part Number 6512-6 909 883
Blaupunkt, Part Number 6512-6 909 882
Blaupunkt, Part Number 6512-6 902 661

2001 to 2007 E46 Cars including the M3
Alpine, Model CD53, Part Number 65. 12-6 916 241 (July 2001)
Alpine, Model CD53, Part Number 65. 12-6 915 711 (Sep 2001)
Alpine, Model CD53, Part Number 65. 12-6 919 072 (Dec 2001-Jun 2002)
Alpine, Model CD53, Part Number 65. 12-6 921 963 (July 2002-Jan 2003)
Alpine, Model CD53, Part Number 65. 12-6 927 902 (Feb 2003-Aug 2003)
Alpine, Model CD53, Part Number 65. 12-6 941 505 (Jan 2004)
Alpine, Model CD53, Part Number 65. 12-6 943 429 (Oct 2004) MP3 Capable
Alpine, Model CD53, Part Number 65. 12-6 961 215 (Dec 2005-May 2006) MP3 Capable

NOTE: If you find any BMW Business CD53 Radio Unit with a production year date sticker on it that is later than these production dates corresponding to each part number unit (IE. a year date that is 05, 06, 07, 08) it is most certain that those units are re-manufactured/refurbished under warranty and re-labeled to reflect the date of re-manufacture. This is especially true for the factory recalled MP3-capable BMW Part Number 65. 12-6 943 429 unit which is always re-labeled to become BMW Part Number 65. 12-6 943 430 after refurbishment.


From that information we see that only two BMW Business CD53 Radio Parts Number for the E46 cars has MP3 playback (along with Sirius and Aux dual Datalink inputs.)Part Number: 65.12-6 943 429 (and it's Re-manufactured/Refurbished counterpart CD53 units with Part Number 65.12-6 943 430). The BMW Part Number: 65.12-6 943 429 CD53s were plagued with many many many problems and there was even a factory recall of these units at one point of their hectic production lifespan hence why you come across many BMW Part Number: 65.12-6 943 430 CD53s on eBay today. These are Re-manufactured/Refurbished versions of the original Part Number: 65.12-6 943 429 Business CD53 Radios even though the sellers of these units won't mention that to you.

AND


Part Number: 65.12-6 961 215 will also give your car MP3 playback ability. These were superior post stock original production units that were made on the last production E46 coupes, convertibles and M3 cars from late 2005 until late 2006/ 2007. If you come across one of these on eBay for under $300 then immediately buy it! These will give you the full capacity and digital function of all the previous CD53 Radios including MP3 playback and it lacks the refurbished and buggy history that the Part Number: 65.12-6 943 429 units come with.

[zj96sc]

Yeah, i think you might be hard pressed to find an MP3 unit for that price, but maybe.

[sna77]

$325:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E46-CD53-BUSINESS-CD-DISC-MP3-PLAYER-RADIO-3-SERIES-02-03-04-05-06-IPOD-AUX-/370607290892?pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item5649ea7a0c&vxp=mtr

Grab that. It's the -215 part number!