Badz Posted January 24, 2018 Report Share Posted January 24, 2018 Hello all, I am after some some help with wanting to have a android 7.1, 2GB head unit install in my 2005 M3 convertible. It has harman kardon / sat nav. What i I want to gain is to have a up to date stereo with with oem look, touch screen, GPS, WIFI, Bluetooth, DAB, but at the same time still be able to use my harman kardon sub and amp. I’m getting very confused and conflicting information that if I run one of these head units I have to bypass the amp and can’t use it or the sub but then also read some people have managed to keep the amp and sub. would really appreciate some help and advise on if it can be done, how, and what hear unit / wireinf looms I need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 Not 100% sure but I thought if you have factory nav you just use a FAKRA cable from the HU to something in the boot and you retain all the other stuff too, but with the new HU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontpannic Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 So essentially your car has factory Harman Kardon and you want to know if you can use an Android head unit with it? Yes - it's totally plug and play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J18nyr Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 As said above. The new new head unit will still send a signal to the amp and a feed along signal wire to the rest of the system providing that the right wiring harness is used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badz Posted January 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2018 (edited) I am getting so many different story’s, one installer said my HK amp will be redundant and now way round it, Some sellers of the android units tell me it’s not possible and amp is buy passed, same say it’s plug and play, some say needs additional wiring. So many different story’s, was hoping some one who has done a straight plug and play and kept their HK could advise me what unit they used for this. Don’t want to loose the HK and obviously the more straight forward the better Edited January 27, 2018 by Badz Spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted January 27, 2018 Report Share Posted January 27, 2018 Isn't the HK amp effectively a SOT amp that you can turn on or off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontpannic Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 (edited) I'll try and explain... Front of car -> HU connector -> back of car -> HK amp -> output to speakers The button on the dash simply enables or disables the spatial sound DSP in the HK amp Basically, the headunit connector behind the dash connects to the HK amp no matter what you plug into it. My touring has HK, and so far has had the stock CD player, an Alpine CDE-9880R, a Parrot MKi9000, and now an Erisin Android headunit connected. All of those different setups output four channels to the HK amp, then the HK amp sends it to the speakers. The stock subs worked, as did all 8 speakers, and the spatial sound still worked fine. I think there are some cars that don't have HK but do have a DSP (I think these are the ones that come with stock navigation) where the amp and radio is in the boot and the only connection to the front is the screen connection where the setup might be slightly different - but in conclusion: If your car came with HK and no nav, you can connect ANY headunit up to the socket behind the dash and this will 100% work with the HK system. I have a 330D Touring on a 2004 plate. It came with a CD53 unit up front, and Harmon Kardon. I needed NO additional or replacement wiring for the HK system to continue working when installing an aftermarket headunit. I literally bought the 17-pin to ISO adaptor (or used the one included in my Android headunit package), plugged it in and it worked. It just works when you plug it in. Edited January 29, 2018 by dontpannic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badz Posted February 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 I have been now looking and reading for weeks and still dont know if possible or not, I have HK sound system, sat nav, CD changer, HK speakers, sub and amp CD changer, sat nav, amp are in the boot If anyone can link me a android oem style head unit and looms that they KNOW will fit my setup would appreciate this I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badz Posted February 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 (edited) On 1/25/2018 at 16:30, dontpannic said: So essentially your car has factory Harman Kardon and you want to know if you can use an Android head unit with it? Yes - it's totally plug and play. i also have sat nav in the boot, if this makes a difference? also will my amp and hk still work? What do i need to buy? any links would be grateful Edited February 2, 2018 by Badz spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontpannic Posted February 2, 2018 Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 I believe it will still work but you will need the 5m extension loom to plug in the Android unit where the BM54 currently connects in the boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badz Posted February 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 OK, i have read about this 5/6m extension, shame there is no way around this then, last time i fit a stereo 15 years ago was a lot simpler, Guess i just have to bite the bullet, buy the head unit and extension and hope all still works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugoo Posted May 30, 2018 Report Share Posted May 30, 2018 On 2/2/2018 at 22:59, Badz said: OK, i have read about this 5/6m extension, shame there is no way around this then, last time i fit a stereo 15 years ago was a lot simpler, Guess i just have to bite the bullet, buy the head unit and extension and hope all still works. Have you installed one now? I'm currently looking at this unit: http://www.dvdgpsnav.com/bmw-e46-m3-android-multimedia-navigation-system-e46-radio-dvd-player-head-unit.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
