[BMWCSRegistry] Period Passable Radio for 3.0CSi (w/new speakers)

[james_rosenthal at comcast.net]

I remember that there was a period Becker (for Benz between '72-78 but the knobs were similar) that had a tape deck (could take a cheap cassette adapter from Radio Shack and use your I-pod rather than a changer which I have in 2 cars and hate) and inputs for external amplification...or it may have been for an auxiliary input...perhaps for that add-on 8-track you are dying to mount under the dash!!  

My coupe had a pretty high zoot system installed in the early 90's.  It consisted of 2 4" speakers with grills in the front kick panels (the kick panels were carpeted to match the floor rugs), and 2 6x9 speakers in the back parcel shelf under a custom made grey fabric cover (not factory, but nobody ever can tell and it looks stock to laymen).  The amp is under the left rear seat, and a changer (which I hate) was installed under the right rear seat with the face plate facing the bottom of the passenger seat.   So when in the drivers seat, you simply reach back and slide the door open, then push the button to release the magazine...pretty neat....even though I hate changers (reason is you leave the same damn 6 cd's in there for months at a time).  The head unit is an Alpine cassette with changer controls of the same vintage but it looks out of place, and is slightly longer (the chassis not the face plate) than the original, hence my center dash section sticks out 1/2" or so (very ann
oying).  Bottom line, if I ever wanted to return the dash to stock, I would have to purchase an entirely new A/C center unit as it had to be cut to accommodate the Alpine.

The sound is decent (no where in line with my McIntosh system in my M5, but that era BMW was designed for high end audio) and does make enough noise to hear Dvorak in full glory with the windows down on the interstate....that is courtesy of the amp.  Unless your going to go all out (high end speakers with plenty of power) like the PO did in my coupe, I see any stereo upgrades as pointless...just live with the stock configuration, keep the radio audible while you wait at stop lights, and let the sound of that engine fill your ears.

Just remember, that whatever unit you get, if you intend to keep the center dash looking correct, it must fit within the cut-outs for the original stereo (knobs and protruding dial face).  I believe all the Beckers had flat glass face-plates intended to flush mount in the dash, whereas the Beckers were made to fit in the cutouts of the dash.  If you have to cut that console... there's no going back!!

James Rosenthal

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Mike Valentine" <mike at valentine1.com>
> Hi Everybody,
> 
>  
> 
> My '72 3.0 CSi project needs a new radio since the one installed in it
> is not of the period and is pretty crummy.  And, the existing speakers
> on the parcel shelf are not of this Earth!
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> 
> I'm looking around at reclaimed Blaupunkt and Becker radios at places
> like http://www.oldautoradio.com <http://www.oldautoradio.com/>  .
> 
>  
> 
> I'm sort of partial to Becker because I seem to remember that they were
> considered higher quality than Blaupunkt at the time and a car as
> expensive as an E9 ought not to have a "cheap" radio installed.
> 
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> 
> Also, I'm curious as to others' opinions about speaker styles and
> placements for an E9.  It seems that 6x9 ovals on the back shelf are
> popular, but I'm open to all thoughtful suggestions.
> 
>  
> 
> Would any of you please offer period-appearing E9 audio advice?
> 
>  
> 
> Cheers,
> 
>  
> 
> Mike
> 
> #2261995 in restoration
> 
> Cincinnati, USA
> 
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> 


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From: "Mike Valentine" <mike at valentine1.com>
Subject: [BMWCSRegistry] Period Passable Radio for 3.0CSi (w/new speakers)
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2007 18:58:14 +0000
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