Damn you again BMW.

"It's a "Porch-uh"" (ikazuchi)
04/09/2014 at 13:36 • Filed to: M5

So between the Dice MediaBridge being a piece of crap (which gives me BT and iPod connections with the stock system) and the Nav system rebooting every 3 seconds, I've decided it's time to replace the stereo in my M5 (not pictured above). Problem is, BMW has made the system so complicated that I can't just pop in a new head unit, I have to rip the entire thing out, minus the speakers (head unit, nav unit, amplifier).

Not like I bought the M5 for its simplicity and low cost of ownership... but man, I just wish the premium sound system was not 15 times more complicated than setup without navigation.

On top of it all, I'm not an audiophile, so spending $1000+ on stereo equipment is not my favorite thing to do. I'd much rather spend that money on go-fast parts and/or cocaine. And because I'm not an audiophile, researching what to buy and what parts I need just hurts my head. Ended up with a nice Alpine 5-channel amp and an !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that looks kinda stock (double-DIN units fit in a space smaller than the existing nav screen and I don't like that huge border).

Oh, whoa is me. My life is so horrible with my M5.

Pity party over... back to work!

DISCUSSION (19)

Reigntastic > It's a "Porch-uh"
04/09/2014 at 13:42

I already set up the head unit and audio in my MR2, with a Kenwood 9140dnx (integrated nav/ipod/satellite/radio/backup camera/bluetooth calling/you name it, want to trade cars? I'll save you the headache and suffering of driving and owning an M5, I promise :)

offroadkarter > It's a "Porch-uh"
04/09/2014 at 13:51

It could be worse, I've read some stories on M5board about people having their engines lock up with no warning while driving down the road.

It's a "Porch-uh" > Reigntastic
04/09/2014 at 13:55

I appreciate the offer, but I think the work I'd have to stretching it and adding two more seats for my kids would outweigh the work on the M5's stereo.

It's a "Porch-uh" > offroadkarter
04/09/2014 at 13:56

That is worse.

Party-vi > It's a "Porch-uh"
04/09/2014 at 14:07

The Dice unit sucks balls. You should have checked out Bavsound for bluetooth and iphone integration. I love my Soundplicity unit from them.

Kinja'd!!!

You need a Dynavin DVN-E39A for the simplest install to get integrated bluetooth an everything else you want out of your system. Here's a relatively in-depth forum post about the system.

Reigntastic > It's a "Porch-uh"
04/09/2014 at 14:14

You could easily fit two children in the trunk, who said the MR2 doesn't baby?

Was worth a shot, I'll get an M5 someday.

alexotics > It's a "Porch-uh"
04/09/2014 at 15:01

Sometimes the solution is very simple. I have this outdated Becker CDR220 sound system in my 911 and I spent hours and hours researching for ways to hook up my iPhone/iPod. Turns out a $9 Blaupunkt cable, some radio removal tools and a magic button pressing sequence that turns on the AUX mode is all you need! For about $11 total I can now play my sweet sweet own tunes through my 15 year old sound system.

It did however take some time before I figured out how to wire the 3.5mm jack from behind the deck through an empty button on my dash out towards my console. But you get the jist. Sometimes the solution is relatively simple and cheap! Even with ze German crazy complicated audio tech.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > It's a "Porch-uh"
04/09/2014 at 15:05

I'm glad my E36 only had a single din cassette deck stock.

TheCraigy > It's a "Porch-uh"
04/09/2014 at 15:49

The old "Business CD" isn't cutting it?

Yeah I would check out bavsound which might be more money but should simplify your transition.

It's a "Porch-uh" > TheCraigy
04/09/2014 at 16:42

Luckily the previous owner upgraded the speakers with bavsound units, but my only other option is to replace the nav unit $600-$800 and see if there's anything better for iPod/BT integration (Intravee is about $250 and doesn't look that great either).

It's a "Porch-uh" > Reigntastic
04/09/2014 at 16:43

I used to have '92 Turbo... they would barely fit in that trunk.

It's a "Porch-uh" > Party-vi
04/09/2014 at 16:54

Strongly considered the Dynavin unit for a while but ended up pulling the trigger on the Avin version. It's the same facia and features, but with better internals. It's a newer company, but Jeff (the US "Dynavin guy") likes them and where they're going with Android, compared to Dynavin, which is looking to go away from Android.

Like the thread mentions (read that one several times), even with the Dynavin (and the Avin) I have to ditch the stock DSP amp and run a bunch of cables back from the trunk. It's a much easier install in E39s without nav. What the Dynavin or Avin really gives me over a standard double-DIN is a stock-looking head unit and not having to cut out a chunk of the air box behind the stereo.

It's a "Porch-uh" > alexotics
04/09/2014 at 16:56

There is a factory AUX-in plug I could get and just plug in my iPod or iPhone through there, but it doesn't solve the rebooting nav unit (which reboots the screen on the dash).

awe46m3zcp > It's a "Porch-uh"
04/09/2014 at 19:56

My only complaint with the mediabridge is the sound quality streaming music via bluetooth. Sounds okay thru USB. I would just ditch nav all together and get a factory business CD radio. There's really no point for in car nav anymore. Google maps on my phone is way better, and is always up to date.

It's a "Porch-uh" > awe46m3zcp
04/09/2014 at 20:05

It would actually be more work to convert it to business CD.

Agreed on the nav... I never use mine, and don't plan on using it with the new system.

awe46m3zcp > It's a "Porch-uh"
04/09/2014 at 22:35

If you got one that was android based, and allowed google maps to be installed it would be useful. I wouldn't spend the money for it unless mine was broken like yours.

Reigntastic > It's a "Porch-uh"
04/10/2014 at 09:34

Being technically correct is the best way to be correct!

It's a "Porch-uh" > Reigntastic
04/10/2014 at 12:12

That is a true fact.

It's a "Porch-uh" > awe46m3zcp
04/10/2014 at 12:15

Yup, comes with Google Maps! My only concern is the offline function and how well it works. It would suck to lose your map when you don't have cell service. It also works with iGo and other self-contained nav software. The biggest reason I never use the nav in my cars has been the hassle of entering the address. I hope this allows me to click on my phone and it shows up on my nav screen somehow.