DaveW Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 (edited) A friend told me, so thought it might be of use to someone on here now I've done it The BMW part, looks and feels 100% better than the Autoleads version, and it's not that much hassle to fit. First off you will need part no: 65900410495 As seen on Real OEM This comes as two parts, the new cage and the facia. At the time of writing this, the part is £69+VAT. Step 1. Remove your current stereo. If you still have the BMW unit in, pop the dash inserts out using something flat, if using a screwdriver ensure you wrap it in a cloth or something first to stop it scratching up the dash - (I use something like these - Trim tools, very handy ) then remove the two screws either side of the unit. If you have already installed an aftermarket unit, remove that with whatever stereo tools you need to get it out, and unscrew the previous facia surround. Now disconnect any wires to the back of the stereo. Step 2. We now need to remove the top air vents. With the stereo out, you'll see two screws under the vents (see the two higher arrows in the picture below for location) unscrew these, then pull the vents out. No direct science to this... grab the bottom of the vents, and sort of pull and twist slightly, once out you can just rest them on the dash (leave the green cord thing attached). Step 3. You'll now need to remove the air con control unit. This is held in by 4 clips at the top and bottom. The best way I found to get this out was to use a flat object (one of the wide flat ones in the above kit - but use what you have, wrapped in a cloth if it's sharp) on the sides, and just jimmy it out. Disconnect the plugs to the unit. Once you remove you'll see the last two screws you need to remove (bottom two arrows in the below picture). You can now remove the plastic cage, then this is what you'll see (well, not as much wire, this is the wiring harness for my current stereo): Step 4. Fit the new plastic cage in (poking the wires through the correct gaps), re-fit the vents (push back in until they clip) do all four screws up. Re-connect the air con control unit back up, and push back into place (you'll hear the clip) Step 5. Fit your new aftermarket stereos metal cage into the new facia (bending any anchor points you can round the new facia). Screw the new facia into place (where the BMW was once screwed in). Connect the stereo, turn the ignition on and power it up. Push the stereo into place, refit the dash trim and your done! Hope that helps someone Edited May 31, 2011 by Gaz daboy and ucldon 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 (edited) Topic Approved. Good guide. Thanks for writing it up Dave. Edited May 30, 2011 by Gaz Bulldog43 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clubsport_chris Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 Great guide goood job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamN Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 Good guide. Looks much better centred, as you say! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted May 31, 2011 Report Share Posted May 31, 2011 It looks slightly better centred, but still looks so out of place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveW Posted May 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2011 Should look a lot better when I get my new stereo that's all in black! - Will post a picture when I get it fitted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted May 31, 2011 Report Share Posted May 31, 2011 (edited) Great write up top marks dude Edited May 31, 2011 by Trickster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UweM3 Posted June 3, 2011 Report Share Posted June 3, 2011 Nice one! Didn't realise BMW has a suitable facia. You live and learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 Thats gonna come in handy in a few weeks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringy93 Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 Its pricey for plastic but well worth it IMO, the autoleads one used to really annoy me. Good write up mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheen Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Its pricey for plastic but well worth it IMO, the autoleads one used to really annoy me. Good write up mate i agree pricey for what is just less than a pounds worth of plastic at the end of the day, looks much better centred i agree, nice one guy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will69176 Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 Looks better in the centre, I used to have an auto leads one and I sat so far back it was awful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adamwebb Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Awsome mate! Think i might need to invest in one alot better then the cheapy crap!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adamwebb Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Awsome mate! Think i might need to invest in one alot better then the cheapy crap!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerg Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 Hi DaveW, Great write up. I'm considering fitting the same unit, is it a DEH-P85BT?, to my 2003 320D. Would you be able to tell me if the unit dimmed properly when the lights were on? I haven't used the head unit for a few years but when I installed it into my 525 TDS it was far too bright at night, bordering on dangerously bright! Any help greatly appreciated. Cheers Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B0B Posted September 20, 2012 Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 Hi DaveW, Great write up. I'm considering fitting the same unit, is it a DEH-P85BT?, to my 2003 320D. Would you be able to tell me if the unit dimmed properly when the lights were on? I haven't used the head unit for a few years but when I installed it into my 525 TDS it was far too bright at night, bordering on dangerously bright! Any help greatly appreciated. Cheers Greg Er, welcome to the site. Dave has not been on the site since October 11, so you may be waiting a while for an answer from him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerg Posted September 20, 2012 Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 Er, welcome to the site. Dave has not been on the site since October 11, so you may be waiting a while for an answer from him. Thanks B0B. I don't suppose you or anyone else has a link to where I can get the facia and trim from in the UK? Cheers Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B0B Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 I would give Cotswold BMW (site sponsor) a ring or post in thier section on the forum. Give them the part number in the first post (65900410495) and see what they say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liquizen. Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 Hi Everyone. I Fitted this to my E46 Convertible about 9 mths ago. Looks the biz. Now I am selling the car, and have removed this part. If anyone wants to buy it, I have listed it on Ebay. The dash central adapter and the centred fascia panel. I would advertise it on here, but I cannot post on the For Sale forum yet. Regards Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerg Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 Hi Neil, This is a bit off topic but I was wondering what stereo you fitted and whether the dimming function of the stereo worked properly when you switched the headlights on? I'm holding off from installing a Pioneer unit, same as the one pictured, for the reasons mentioned in my earlier post! I'm also holding off from installing a brand new until for the same reason. I'd love to hear how you got on and what unit you fitted. Thanks in advance Gerg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liquizen. Posted November 13, 2012 Report Share Posted November 13, 2012 Hi Gerg I installed an (not sure of the model number) Alpine xda305??? (no Dimming function that I remember) I fitted it originally after removing the BMW business headunit but I just wasnt happy with it being off centre and having the Fascia trim with a big lump of plastic on the right hand side covering the gap. I sourced this part from a BMW dealer paying £85 for it. Its a doddle to fit, and looks superb when its done, looking more balanced. The fascia trim fills the gap left equally , and it just looks so much better. I am selling it on ebay, and will list on here too when I am allowed to post in the for sale forum. Regards Neil . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ucldon Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Which antenna adapter do I need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retriever8 Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 Guys, I'm a newbie but feel like I've been round the houses with In Car Entertainment. I initially replaced my stock CD/Radio unit with a single DIN Alpine CDE136BT and the KT445U amplifier which sits behind the dash. The unit sounds great but the appearance of the dash is cr@p. - The offset facia just isn't right and the lighting on the Alpine unit could not be adjusted to match BMW orange. I investigated Andrive, Dynavin, etc, but was put off by the high costs and mixed reports about glitches and support. Eventually, I decided to buy the centred single DIN facia and cage from Harry Fairbairn BMW for about £73. I've also ordered a Pioneer DEH-8500DAB which has a similar spec to the Alpine unit but the lighting can be customised to match my orange E46 dash. The Pioneer has some fake chrome on the front panel but you can't have everything. Expecting delivery tomorrow. I'll post updates with photos for anyone who's interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted September 11, 2013 Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 I fitted my centralised fascia recently. You don't really need the cage as you can modify your existing so only need item 7 on the diagram. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupe-mike Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 One thing I would add to the guide is don't put the air vent back in until you have the stereo in. I struggled getting all the wiring tucked out of the way but I found with the vents still out you could get in behind the stereo while putting it in to manoeuvre the wiring blocks out the way stutart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
