CD/MP3 player that blends in the dash well

[maxt]

So im on the lookout for a CD player that blends in the dash well and has semi-matching colors. For those that bought cd players, what model did you get and does it match your dash pretty well? how are the controls, intuitive and well laid out?

Feel free to list models and post pics!

[evalha007]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alpine-Face-Plat...QQcmdZViewItem

Note that the link is to only the faceplace of the stereo...

Alpine CDA 7894 is what I have. You can change the color of the illumination of the buttons etc from red (which matches the BMW) to green, which I think looks better in the daytime. The main display is always blue. I think the buttons are pretty standard...knob for volume, buttons for fwd/rev. ...and it plays mp3's which is a must.

I will warn that this is a 400$ stereo new, and is complicated. You will have to consult the manual for fine tuning. Also I had some trouble getting it to fit in the dash, but once you get that done it is worth it!

This deck is pretty much for car stereo enthusiasts...you could shoot for something cheaper and simpler...alpine has other models that look similar. Or, you could try to get ahold of an OEM BMW CD player...

[DGWGuitars]

I replaced the OEM cassette with a Sony CDX-R5515X from Crutchfield - http://www.crutchfield.com/S-knykM4o...00&I=158R5515X. IMO, although it's not as clean as the OEM Business CD, it also didn't cost as much, and the sound's great.

[96cali]

Nakamichis have a black on orange display and conservative looks that blend very well with bimmers. However, my CD400 quit 5 weeks after install. Ebay purchase, no insurance. Have not had it checked out. People really have hot or miss luck with them. Sounded freakin incredible for the tiem it worked...

[JPerfect]

I just put in an Alpine CDA 9847. It looks great, and the amber colored buttons match wonderfully. I'll post pics soon.

[halek]

fitted an Alpine CDA-9853R & it looks the nuts, lights match well although you cant tell in the pic. CDs & MP3s sound brilliant, right up with Alpines usual high standard but the radio is nowhere near as good as BMW OEM (not bothered though as I dont much listen to radio).

Bad points are Alpines 'glidetouch' thing is crap, menu's are confusing & setting the EQ from the headunit is a nightmare.I've lost counts of the times I've almost crashed fuking about with it.

[sparkchaser]

If I was going to do it all over again, I would get the BMW Traffic Pro they have the group buy on in bimmerforums: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=422454

I would use the Aux in for my iPod and call it a day.

[96cali]

I will also go oem cd next time.

[PettitWC]

Hey this guy on Bimmer Forums does a conversion for the lights on aftermarket head units. If you're interested you should check him out because they look really good! Here's the link to the thread:http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=425532

And a sample picture afterwards from "one" on Bimmer Forums:

[sparkchaser]

I saw that thread. If I could live without my head unit for a few weeks I would send him my Sony to repalce the blue keys with orange...

[PettitWC]

Yeah, it'd be tough to have no music for a few weeks, I'd go nuts!

[Juni]

I have the Nakamichi head unit. The thing sounds awesome, and it blends perfectly with the interior and the illumination. Aside from this, it also has some suprising features that caught me off guard when I first pulled it out. Firts off it had 3 Pre-amp outputs, for a very siple looking head unit, this was very suprising. It does compliment the car nicely, I love the damn thing.