Stereo System for E91

K9Leader · 03-07-2021, 12:24 PM

I have a 2010 E91 with the "Professional Radio." This is my daily driver and that setup has been okay for the three years I've owned it. I mostly use the USB connection to play MP3 files, and the satellite radio for Sirius XM and the bluetooth connection for phone calls. Earlier this week, I pulled the USB drive and added some music to it. When I put it back in and powered it up, it did not recognize/show the USB - the option just was no longer there. After turning the stereo off and on and turning the ignition off and on, it eventually reappeared. I did some digging and see that this is not uncommon and indicates some electronics/components may be failing.

So, this got me to thinking that it would be really nice to upgrade to a Double DIN touchscreen and I've started poking around to see what is possible/available. I've done a few system installs over the years - I put a Double DIN Kenwood with Garmin GPS, satellite radio, and backup camera, speakers, amp, all new wiring in my '99 C5 Corvette a few months ago. Not really a difficult job for pros or experienced amateurs but pretty involved for a DIYer.

It would be nice to be able to eliminate the separate Garmin GPS, which is also my backup camera, in favor of an integrated unit. So, it appears that Option 1 is a major brand head unit, the assorted peripherals (back up camera, satellite radio receiver/antenna) with adapter(s) to retain steering wheel controls and chimes (PDC, etc.). The Kenwood I used in my Corvette has been (mostly) satisfactory so that or something similar would work. However, this could get pricey and the end result is clearly aftermarket looking.

Option 2 appears to be the Eonon (or other similar) route with the system designed specifically for the E90. It appears to be a nicely integrated and reasonably-priced system and doesn't look nearly as aftermarket. However, it does not appear that satellite radio is offered/possible with these systems. At least, I've not seen it as an option on any of these systems. Am I correct about this?

I've done some searching, read some posts, and watched some install and review videos about the Eonon systems. I've also done the same for other installs (although it does not appear there is as much information) but would like to hear from some who have experienced both options and can give some insights. I know there are workarounds to get much of what I like about the satellite radio via the system integration with my phone (Android) so I am wondering if I could give up the sat radio.

My seat heater controls are integrated into the HVAC control unit but I do have the PDC and hill descent control buttons that would have to be relocated to the ashtray/storage bin area, thus losing much of the storage in that bin. Does anyone know of any other options for relocating these buttons?

ctuna · 03-07-2021, 12:44 PM

K9Leader · 03-08-2021, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

Thanks . . . though I have already seen most of those. Actually thinking the Dynavin option looks like a possibility.

smatanovic · 03-09-2021, 07:45 AM

I installed an Alpine ilx-007 carplay unit; installation was fairly straightforward. It integrates perfectly with the car, though it definitely does not look OEM. I did have to use one of the "displace the buttons" kits, but the metra kit I used (purchased from Crutchfield) preserves some storage space.

K9Leader · 03-09-2021, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smatanovic

I installed an Alpine ilx-007 carplay unit; installation was fairly straightforward. It integrates perfectly with the car, though it definitely does not look OEM. I did have to use one of the "displace the buttons" kits, but the metra kit I used (purchased from Crutchfield) preserves some storage space.

Of the stereo installs I've done, only one involved trying to keep steering wheel controls - a 1988 Acura 3.0 CL that my daughter drove through college and up to a couple of years ago. I never could get the steering wheel controls to work even with the recommended adapter. If I put together a system - Kenwood, Pioneer, JVC, etc. head unit; Metra faceplate, steering wheel control adapter/module (Axxess, I think), Sirius XM receiver, backup camera - from someplace like Crutchfield, I am concerned about getting everything to work together. Also, the look is obviously aftermarket.

The Eonon or Dynavin options may (I stress "may") integrate the components together better (since they are designed specifically for the specific car) and do not have such an obvious aftermarket look. I do want to have the satellite radio, which eliminates the Eonon and its lookalike options. I'm leaning more toward the Dynavin option.

I guess what I was really looking for was to hear from some with experience with these to confirm whether they really are closer to plug-n-play.

smatanovic · 03-10-2021, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K9Leader

Of the stereo installs I've done, only one involved trying to keep steering wheel controls - a 1988 Acura 3.0 CL that my daughter drove through college and up to a couple of years ago. I never could get the steering wheel controls to work even with the recommended adapter. If I put together a system - Kenwood, Pioneer, JVC, etc. head unit; Metra faceplate, steering wheel control adapter/module (Axxess, I think), Sirius XM receiver, backup camera - from someplace like Crutchfield, I am concerned about getting everything to work together. Also, the look is obviously aftermarket.

The Eonon or Dynavin options may (I stress "may") integrate the components together better (since they are designed specifically for the specific car) and do not have such an obvious aftermarket look. I do want to have the satellite radio, which eliminates the Eonon and its lookalike options. I'm leaning more toward the Dynavin option.

I guess what I was really looking for was to hear from some with experience with these to confirm whether they really are closer to plug-n-play.

By "displace the buttons," I mean heated seats and HDC (I have a pre-LCI e91).

My steering wheel controls work flawlessly, fwiw, but it took some time to plan and purchase everything. The ilx-007 was previously installed in my last car (Saab 9-5, RIP) and required a completely different harness. I used this one, from Crutchfield, and it was truly plug and play. The hardest part was programming the steering wheel interface, but once done it works with zero lag.

K9Leader · 03-12-2021, 06:17 AM

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Dynavin n7-e9x pro and placed the order. I've got Spring break coming up (teacher) so off for 10 days and I try to always have a car-related project for that time. I've got new a new headlight system to install on my C5 Corvette and, now, the new sound system for the E91.

03-07-2021, 12:24 PM	#1
K9Leader Captain 1045 Rep 779 Posts Drives: 2010 328ix E91, 2011 128i E82 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Delaware iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 128i [10.00] 2010 BMW 328i [10.00]	Stereo System for E91 - Satellite Radio? I have a 2010 E91 with the "Professional Radio." This is my daily driver and that setup has been okay for the three years I've owned it. I mostly use the USB connection to play MP3 files, and the satellite radio for Sirius XM and the bluetooth connection for phone calls. Earlier this week, I pulled the USB drive and added some music to it. When I put it back in and powered it up, it did not recognize/show the USB - the option just was no longer there. After turning the stereo off and on and turning the ignition off and on, it eventually reappeared. I did some digging and see that this is not uncommon and indicates some electronics/components may be failing. So, this got me to thinking that it would be really nice to upgrade to a Double DIN touchscreen and I've started poking around to see what is possible/available. I've done a few system installs over the years - I put a Double DIN Kenwood with Garmin GPS, satellite radio, and backup camera, speakers, amp, all new wiring in my '99 C5 Corvette a few months ago. Not really a difficult job for pros or experienced amateurs but pretty involved for a DIYer. It would be nice to be able to eliminate the separate Garmin GPS, which is also my backup camera, in favor of an integrated unit. So, it appears that Option 1 is a major brand head unit, the assorted peripherals (back up camera, satellite radio receiver/antenna) with adapter(s) to retain steering wheel controls and chimes (PDC, etc.). The Kenwood I used in my Corvette has been (mostly) satisfactory so that or something similar would work. However, this could get pricey and the end result is clearly aftermarket looking. Option 2 appears to be the Eonon (or other similar) route with the system designed specifically for the E90. It appears to be a nicely integrated and reasonably-priced system and doesn't look nearly as aftermarket. However, it does not appear that satellite radio is offered/possible with these systems. At least, I've not seen it as an option on any of these systems. Am I correct about this? I've done some searching, read some posts, and watched some install and review videos about the Eonon systems. I've also done the same for other installs (although it does not appear there is as much information) but would like to hear from some who have experienced both options and can give some insights. I know there are workarounds to get much of what I like about the satellite radio via the system integration with my phone (Android) so I am wondering if I could give up the sat radio. My seat heater controls are integrated into the HVAC control unit but I do have the PDC and hill descent control buttons that would have to be relocated to the ashtray/storage bin area, thus losing much of the storage in that bin. Does anyone know of any other options for relocating these buttons?
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03-07-2021, 12:44 PM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,102 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	head unit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=head+unit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1457320 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1036190 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dynavin http://www.janus-design.net/english/ http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355089 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=head+unit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dynavin http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dynavin http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...light=retrofit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=993447 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1016187 https://www.bmwgm5.com/Logic7_E90_91_92_93.htm http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dynavin BMW stereo types http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865 http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/ http://technicpnp.com/menuDiagrams/d...e90_92_93.html http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/ http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...3&d=1169133185 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673 https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/e...n-752.1275694/
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03-09-2021, 07:45 AM	#4
smatanovic First Lieutenant 198 Rep 331 Posts Drives: 2022 i4 eDrive 40 mSport Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: The 215 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 i4 eDrive40 [0.00]	I installed an Alpine ilx-007 carplay unit; installation was fairly straightforward. It integrates perfectly with the car, though it definitely does not look OEM. I did have to use one of the "displace the buttons" kits, but the metra kit I used (purchased from Crutchfield) preserves some storage space.
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03-12-2021, 06:17 AM	#7
K9Leader Captain 1045 Rep 779 Posts Drives: 2010 328ix E91, 2011 128i E82 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Delaware iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 128i [10.00] 2010 BMW 328i [10.00]	I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Dynavin n7-e9x pro and placed the order. I've got Spring break coming up (teacher) so off for 10 days and I try to always have a car-related project for that time. I've got new a new headlight system to install on my C5 Corvette and, now, the new sound system for the E91.
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