Radio replacement - Back to original spec

[Chefchenko]

Hello hello,

I have checked out the vehicles VIN online and have a spec sheet that is confusing me. It states the following in regards to the stereo:

BMWDECODER.COM
S650A CD player
S661A Radio BMW Business (C43)

The bit that I am struggling with, is everywhere online where I see a pic of a CSL with a CD player, it also has the automatic AC unit below.

What I am dealing with is an aftermarket head unit, along with the dial controlled AC unit I can only find evidence of coming with a CSL spec'd with no stereo at all and a carbon fibre plate.

Any guidance mutely appreciated.... and clues on model numbers of parts to order.

Chef

[Scott]

If you have dials then your car does not have A/C, note the lack of a/c button ;)

Item number 1 is what you require however I'd probably pick one up off ebay and save yourself a few quid.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BL96-EUR-08-2003-E46-BMW-M3_CSL&diagId=65_0462

I then imagine it will be a simple case of unplugging aftermarket and plugging in new, or used, OEM headunit.

[Scott]

I meant to add...

I would say it was uncommon for someone to spec a radio but not a/c, although not unheard of, so that's probably why you are struggling to find one spec'd like this car.

[NBTBRV8]

I meant to add...

I would say it was uncommon for someone to spec a radio but not a/c, although not unheard of, so that's probably why you are struggling to find one spec'd like this car.

There are 10 like this spec, so yes, very rare.

[Chefchenko]

Thanks for all the input, very handy.

Found a few options on eBay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-Series-E46-Saloon-Estate-Coupe-Business-Stereo-Radio-CD-Player-2001-2006/222110026946?_trksid=p5411.c100167.m2940&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D20140131123730%26meid%3Db12d54f92dd942f3a4f 62728feca11df%26pid%3D100167%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D2%26 sd%3D262429127624

This would seem to do the trick I would think. That was a lot easier than finding a genuine OEM carbon fibre blank... my searches yesterday turned up fruitless.

[mattCSLnut]

Thanks for all the input, very handy.

Found a few options on eBay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-Series-E46-Saloon-Estate-Coupe-Business-Stereo-Radio-CD-Player-2001-2006/222110026946?_trksid=p5411.c100167.m2940&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D20140131123730%26meid%3Db12d54f92dd942f3a4f 62728feca11df%26pid%3D100167%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D2%26 sd%3D262429127624

This would seem to do the trick I would think. That was a lot easier than finding a genuine OEM carbon fibre blank... my searches yesterday turned up fruitless.


Hi there and welcome to the fold :beer:

Not quite... your eBay find is a pre 2003 E46 facelift Business CD player. While it'll most probably work OK in the CSL, it isn't the correct unit.
For starters the "BMW BUSINESS CD" logo is in the wrong place ;)
The way you can tell the difference is... the pre 2003 facelift doesn't have a "MODE" button on the far right and the 2003 facelift does.
Also Business CD players specifically fitted to UK CSLs seem to have their chassis number printed on the label.
I've cloned out the last 3 digits of the VIN from the enclosed pic, as per CSLR rules.
Pix below to depict the differences.

[stevenEK9]

facelift and pre facelift also use a different aerial interface on the back of the headunit

[shimmy]

I'd like to return mine to as purchased

How do I find out what it was supplied with?

[Chefchenko]

Thanks for that.... the donation to become a "member" here has already paid for itself.

Funny how you don't spot such details, and once they are pointed out seem so obvious!

This looks like a winner to me with my fresh information.... sadly with the wrong VIN number on it ;-)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262429127624?_trksid=p2047675.m570.l5998&_trkparms=gh1g%3DI262429127624.N35.S1.R1.TR3

[Chefchenko]

I'd like to return mine to as purchased

How do I find out what it was supplied with?

This is what I am using:

http://www.bmwdecoder.com

I am sure someone else can tell you if there is better option available...

[sailorbaz]

Would it be worth getting in touch with previous owners to check they don't have it stashed in their loft, garage, shed etc?

[mattCSLnut]

Thanks for that.... the donation to become a "member" here has already paid for itself.

Funny how you don't spot such details, and once they are pointed out seem so obvious!

This looks like a winner to me with my fresh information.... sadly with the wrong VIN number on it ;-)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262429127624?_trksid=p2047675.m570.l5998&_trkparms=gh1g%3DI262429127624.N35.S1.R1.TR3
No worries :beer: worth considering this one also :http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162070563203?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[stevenEK9]

I'd like to return mine to as purchased

How do I find out what it was supplied with?

if you have a look at the aerial connection on the back

top one is a headunit from a facelift, bottom is pre facelift

can see on the far left how the connections differ, the plugs on the right are the same

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=495359&d=1363189293


as per Matt's post, the facelift headunits are distinguishable from the front as they have the 'mode' button on the RH side