Onboard monitor - OEM?

[TheJoyB3S]

The OBM on my B3S has died. Won’t power up anymore.

Used OEM replacement or brand new android unit?

I would easily choose the latter on an ordinary E46 but confused if I’d do it on the Alpina.

[Rav]

Give Baris at http://www.carphonics.co.uk/default.htm a call. He sorted my complete setup for a few hundred pounds. Now even the digital TV tuner works.

[Charles]

Replaced my radio cassette unit with a Dynavin N7 almost two years ago and love it. Now I have phone, nav, iPod in one place with full interactivity with steering controls.

Added bonus is that the unit is designed to match BMW look/feel/buttons etc so most people think that it's OEM from a distance.

[Henry]

I have the older n6 in my X5, been in there years, fault free, does everything Charles says including reading my messages, can be updated via usb, quite expensive but you pays your money an all that. Have tv module and dab. Excellent unit and so OEM looking.

[AG]

if you have a BMW on board screen/sat nav etc, the you'll need extra cables/change of connectors to fit the non OEM alternative as the OEM item is only a slave item as the gubbins etc are all in the boot.

[TheJoyB3S]

Give Baris at http://www.carphonics.co.uk/default.htm a call. He sorted my complete setup for a few hundred pounds. Now even the digital TV tuner works.

Thanks, Rave. I'll check with them.

ed to match BMW look/feel/buttons etc so most people think that it's OEM from a distance.

Charles, I'm looking on the same unit but also looking at the Eonon GA9350B which is cheaper and has a bigger and touch screen but doesn't look OEM at all.

and yes I need to remove trims and lay the cable from front to the boot.

[Charles]

The N7 is touchscreen too and is essentially plug and play as the OEM sockets fit straight into the back of the unit. This includes HK amp and multi CD player located in the boot, if you so wish.

The only cabling that will need to be routed to the back will be the DAB aerial but this can run behind the headlining.

Depending on what you had before, you might need to relocate the AC panel to lower down so that the double DIN N7 fits.

If you go down this route then happy to chat through how I went about the installation.

In the meantime, Good luck with your decision making

[Henry]

I’ve pondered over this originality thing and come to the conclusion that I want my Alpina to look like an "Alpina" ie wheels, spoilers badges seats and these things distinguish it from an BMW e46, unseen is the engine but that can’t be helped. Everything else is fair game to change. Suspension, good as the Alpina set up was 20 years ago I find it hard to believe that someone like Bilstien can’t equal or better it today. Some of the original bits are NLA so if you still have them do you park the car up so you can claim the holy grail of originality. Same goes for entertainment equipment. The old stuff is poor and expensive by today’s standard. I have Eonon in the VW R32, (13 years without fault) Eonon in the B3 only because it came in a box brand new in the boot, if I was buying today I would buy Android if only for their ability to have the diagnostics on screen and tap into the bus system with the Resler app especially if you have DSP. Just an opinion and of course some will think I’m talking bo%&!cks.

[Charles]

Some interesting points, Henry.

If I planned to have a garage Queen that gets brought out on high days, holidays and is entered into concours competitions, then OEM all day long but that's to maintain originality.

However, in my case, I do 20k miles a year in my B3S and I want a decent sound system that works for me. Yes, my car is an ALPINA but it's also my daily workhorse in which I spend almost two hours a day hence why I upgraded to, in my case, a Dynavin.

I've got the stripes and wheels that make it clear what I'm driving - even in winter when the ALPINA badged centre caps on the BMW wheels provide a visual clue. I've also decided to stick with ALPINA suspension because I like the feel of it and I no longer hoon around every opportunity I get, so the extra 5% of grip isn't important.

My point is that I agree with your assessment in general but one of the reasons I bought an ALPINA was because, as an engineer, I was buying into the Buchloe ethos. Changing the stereo isn't compromising that but fiddling with the engine, gearbox and suspension is - which is why those bits remain sacrosanct in my book.

However, as they say in France, chacun son gout

[Avtar]

I have the widescreen OEM monitor from my 2001 E46 Convertible, it was in fully working order when removed, PM me if you are interested?

[TheJoyB3S]

Thanks all for you inputs!!

I'm heading to the Android unit route.

In terms of the originality issue - I'd just stick with the Alpina essentials i.e. engine, tranny, etc.

That being said, I just got the trifecta lights the other day and popped out a code 211 and some more pointing to the VANOS and torque converter!!