Radio Fitting

Some readers my suggest keeping the original radio for authenticity and the classic look and normally I would agree. However, with consideration of not having a code, (Yes, one can be purchased for a few pounds from varied sources...). There is the matter of reaping 21st century comforts like multimedia and not forgetting the GPS, movies etc. After my incident during the purchase of the Z3 from Hastings, ('the sense of being lost and having the not so reliable cigarette/accessory plug-in socket springs to mind). At least I will have a few options open to me if ever I should find myself in the same sort of situation, so I am comfortable with this small sacrifice...

Tutorial-----https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RumNeD_kANE&t=21s
Car Radio GPS Player
Power supply voltage: DC12V DC, (24V need to add transformer);
Support GPS navigation system
Support Bluetooth calls Bluetooth music player
Support reversing video input, reverse priority (optional camera)
Support LRC lyrics and ID3 display
24Bit DAC, high-precision reduction fidelity sound quality;
Support APE, FLAC, WAV, DIS lossless audio formats, support high bit rate! Sound quality to fever level CD level;
Support 24Bit 96KHz WAV format, music resolution more than CD;
Audio playback: APE, MP3, WMA, ACC, FLAC, WAV, RA, AC3, MP2, AMR and so on.
Video support playback: AVI, MP4, FLV, PMP, RM, RMVB, MPG and other formats.
Support picture browsing (JPEG and other formats)
The machine comes with high-definition 7-inch high-definition touch screen, dynamic menu interface.
Support TF card, high-speed USB2.0 interface compatible with a variety of U disk, mobile hard disk, support hot-swappable.
Card full-function remote control.
The new processing chipset (CPU), the reaction faster, more stable performance, more powerful!
New design modeling, knob volume adjustment.
A variety of sound adjustment (SEL): electronic volume, treble, bass, left and right balance, front and rear sound field.
And other loudness switch, Loud reverberation bass aggravating extraordinary!
Using a dedicated DSP chip to achieve a variety of lossless / lossy audio format decoding;
Hardware electronic sound (EQ) processing, a variety of audio modes, high and low tone can be adjusted;
Full electronic digital search radio station, high-performance digital tuning FM radio automatic scanning, 18 radio storage
Song memory playback function! Let you play MP3 no longer re-start the first song;
The latest support: folder playback, classified storage, free broadcast, display list.
Supports shuffle, repeat all, repeat single, repeat directory.
AUX audio input interface can be an external MP3, GPS, mobile phones, music players and other audio input.
USB support for high current output, for mobile phone charging (Note: Some phones may not charge, please know);

8 IR LED Rear Camera
* Image sensors: 1/4 "color sensor
* TV system: PAL
* Minimum lighting. <0.5
* AGC: Auto
* BLC: Auto
* White balance: Auto
* Color video: colorful
* Waterproof class: ip 66
* Night vision function: Yes
* Effective pixels: 580X540
* Resolution: 420TV lines
* Video output: 1.0Vp-p 75
* Electronic shutter: 1/60 (NTSC) -1 / 10000S
* S / N ratio: better than 48db
* Angle of the lens: 170 °
* Operating temperature: -20 ° C + 80 ° C HR95%
* Storage temperature: -30 ° C + 80 ° C
* Working power (DCV): 12V
* Current consumption: 90mA Max

01.07.18 It has not been my week this week, even with all the precautions of adding inline fuses, and yet still managed to blow the new radio. Manufacturers have placed a too higher fuse within the unit as it hadn't blown. Even before the burn out, the GPS and the car speakers were not working, I did have to put an independent speaker direct to the radio wiring and this did work, so somewhere along the mass of custom wires there was a problem either with the radio itself or the wiring circuit/loom. On plugging the adapter back into the car loom is where everything decided to go 'tits-up', to coin a phrase. The plug-in unit seems to work to a fashion as one can turn off the ignition and the radio did go off. Back on, when the ignition turned on, as with the specified wiring diagram. The problem seemed to arise when trying to attach the speakers. Somewhere on route one can guess the wrong speaker wires were earthing. One could use a meter to identify the problem source, however at the time I preferred to thread new wires to the appropriate speakers and to the new unit. I would know in my own mind the wiring was safe with the radio at least. The previous owners obviously didn't consider the wiring when they compiled these custom looms or even place labels on them, this would have been useful. The custom looms, out of this world, (a makeshift on a scrapyard challenge) the connections were for links to computer and phone connectors, it makes me wonder if any of it worked or if the previous installer was an amateur and unaware of auto colour coding? So it looks like a new radio wiring system, utilising the bits that work, one can assume the speakers have also been rerouted in some way..... today is disappointing and heat is fetching at least 30C, too hot to work in and I've called it a day. The whole wiring system will need to be investigated and made safe.

Features:
1. Operating System: Windows CE.
2. With GPS navigation we will install gps map on the device according to your country before the shipping
3. Retractable radio, you can according to the different demand to whip out the screen or contraction.
4. Support Lossless Music Sound, support APE/ FLAC/ WAV and other music formats.
5. HD Upgrade version, support bluetooth hands free calls, bluetooth music, multimedia video, lossless music format. high
sensitive touch screen, smart high power, 7388 IC output, LCD display, with remote control.
6. TDA with low noise, high sensitivity, clearly high voice and rich bass, 7388 IC high power output,high fidelity.
7. LCD with spectrum display, enjoy watching video.
8. LCD low radiation, low power consumption, real restore image, high brightness, show beautiful picture.
9. Support rear view camera
10. HD video, 1080p pixel HD TFT screen, smooth to see the movies, it support RMVB/ RM/ MP4 video formats.
11. 7 inch HD digital TFT sliding touch screen, touch Sensitive, writing fluency, quick recognition.
12. Support big capacity memory,SD card reader USB charging.
13. Built-in FM stereo radio, use import radio IC, strong receiver, save the radio station.
14. Support languages: English, Spanish, French, Russian, Portuguese.
15. Support mirror link function.(Only Support Android 4.0~7.0, USB Cable Connection)

Specification:
Size: 188mm*183mm*50mm
Power supply voltage: DC12V, (24V transformer to be added)
Screen Size: 7 inch
Screen Resolution: 800 x 480pix
Media Type: JPG, Mp5, Mp3,
Bluetooth: Built-in High Sensitivity BT Microphone (New)
Aspect Ratio: 16.9(Wide Screen) or 4:3 (Letterbox)
TV system:PAL/NTSC Compatible
EQ: Jazz/Pop/Rock/Classic/User
DSP:Treble/Bass
Function:Repeat/Program/Random/Intro Play
FM Receiver:18 FM Preset Station Capabilty
Radio: Auto Memory Store/Preset Scan
Pic Format: JPEG/GIF/PNG/BMP
Video Format: RM/RMVB/ASF/MKV/DIVX/MPEG4/AVI/VOB
Audio Format: MP3/MP5
Power Output: 4×55W / 2V Preamp Output
RCA Output: 2 Channel Audio/1 Channel Video
RCA Input: 2 Channel Audio/1 Channel Rear View Camera
Wheel Control: Steering Wheel Control Compatible
Remote Control: Multifunction Remote Control
Navigation: External connected GPS Navigation Function
AUX audio input interface can add MP3, GPS, mobile phones, music players and other audio input.

Included:
1 x Car MP5 Bluetooth player
1 x Control remote
1 x User's manual
1 x RCA Wiring Harness
1 x Antenna
2 x Radio Extract Keys
1 x Map card (8GB)

Today, 15.07.18 With the new replacement fuse housings and the lower ampere glass fuses fitted, the radio is also installed, note: you will need a tool, ie. screwdriver to bend the metal flaps to secure the metal retainer that will hold and lock the radio unit in securely so it cannot be pulled out. You will also need to feed the wires through the radio unit metal retainer i.e. wire harness plug-in power clip, aerial and GPS lead that goes into the back of the radio unit, before slipping in the radio, (remember to plug in the aerial lead!) the side clips will automatically lock the unit into place and the unit should remain secure. Switch on and the system is ready for setting up and should come to life. Note: The ignition key may need to be turned to first position to send power to your unit. The screen should automatically activate and will need to have the screen angle adjusted and set, as the centre console blower vents on the Z3 pertrude the screen forward a little.

WARNING: Note: Contains a 20 Amp Fuse, much too high, initially, replace it with a lower fuse rating to protect the radio and circuit, the lower the better. Especially during the installation. Also place low rated fuses to any inline fuse holders. I would normally put a 2 Amp. Check the radio first to see if radio/speakers are shorting along the circuit before raising the ampere to the manufacturers specified rating. If one is familiar with a volt/amp meter tester, this is the best method for checking the electrics input and output. On all checks and if considered safe to do so, if the fuse rate keeps popping, one needs to assess if the rate is too low, or a short somewhere, one can raise to the next higher ampere or where at least it remains stable, (don't exceed the manufacturers 20 amp rating) allowing the fuse to blow, if and when there is a short, for whatever reason to safeguard your equipment.

WARNING: Note: Contains a 15 Amp Fuse, much too high, initially, replace it with a lower fuse rating to protect the radio and circuit, the lower the better. Especially during the installation. Also place low rated fuses to any inline fuse holders. I would normally put a 2 Amp. Check the radio first to see if radio/speakers have the correct wires neg/pos connected correctly, otherwise a short will blow the fuses, if the system is working leave the low ampere low. If one is familiar with a volt/amp meter tester, this is the best method for checking the electrics input and output initially. On all checks and if considered safe to do so, if the fuse rate keeps popping, then the rate is most likely too low or you have a short somewhere, Check! One can raise to the next higher ampere or to at least where it remains stable, (don't exceed the manufacturers 15/20 ampere rating) as the system should normally allow the fuse to blow if and when there is a short for whatever reason and saving you radio system from blowing and smoking and dying...Rely more on you low rated inline fuses than the manufacturer rated unit fuse. Remember, they want to sell you more units....

07.07.18 I have now taken a number of hours removing trim and feeding through the wires to the rear speakers and to the speakers in the front, (footwells). I soldered the wires onto the appropriate pos/neg terminals and reinstalled the speakers and the trim as the same time identifying any possible shorts in the existing wiring.

The new replacement radio looks of better quality than the first one I bought, however there was no camera with this one, (I was looking forward to having a camera on the front as well as the back, not now it seems. On a positive, I do get the auto-retract screen with this one so, swings and round-a-bouts. Note: There is a camera input available at the back of the unit once a camera has been purchased...

Like before, I have now connected all of the appropriate speaker wires, earths have been checked, the live wires and inline fuses. This radio or main unit has a 15amp fuse fitted to it, as standard. I have checked the fuses at the main fuse junction box under the bonnet and lowered the amp rating. I will insert x2 1-2amp fuses to the inline fuse holders. These I will need to get from the auto-shop.

During the visit to the auto-shop, I could only find a minimum 5 amp small bayonet fuses and therefore decided to change the inline fuse holders and purchased two more of the older classic type fuse housings, (for glass fuses). Lower fuse Ampère are widely available for this type and are of better quality.

(Mind you, this Z3 is a 2002 plate, I must have missed that upgrade, somewhere along the way). For the price of the radio and GPS etc, it is very good value and superior in all aspects to the first system purchased. It looks to me that the first system may have been one of the cheap copies that are flooding the market currently. One needs to be very careful when purchasing one from the internet; not an easy one to identify. (see above 2nd purchase details; at least you know you will be getting a good one. I am pleased with it.).

During the morning, of 16.07.18 I sourced some tweeters for the door and re-soldered the wires, ready to go and fit them into the doors. I just needed to check on any deliveries, I didn't want to miss the bonnet being delivered, even though it was most unlikely at this point - one gets that gut feeling....

It looks like a new radio will be required and also a rewire job for the speakers initially, I have ordered 20m White AV-Pro Speaker Cable for Surround Sound HiFi Car Audio 2X 0.5mm (a full five star rating) at £3.25 eBay....Seller: directal Colour wire can prove expensive. This wire should do, as long as it is labelled correctly on installation - A wiring diagram could be useful to a new owner, when the vehicle is sold on, this can be placed on the radio, (if not taken out) or around the wires in a small bag taped in a safe place in the dash somewhere.

This job is on hold for now; as I need a new radio when finances permit and cooler weather.. however when the opportunity arises I will get started on the rewiring and labelling as soon as the wiring arrives...

I initially bypassed the wiring from the original tweeter to the footwell speaker, just to check the tweeters were working. They were, however quietly.

Also, by re-soldering the footwell speaker, seemed to improve the volume, possibly down to a dry joint. The tweeters remained very quiet.

One can only assume the radio system most likely requires a stronger amplifier, I can live with the current configuration for now.

Note: If using Scotchlock style connectors, make sure the connection is breaking the wire outer covering and making contact to the inner wire, otherwise the speaker or accessory will not work at all. I prefer the twist of the wire, solder and heat-shrink method for a more stable and secure connection. (I did not have these resources currently).

On switching on the ignition to first position the screen normally remains inside the unit, unless one wants to retune a station or use another media function, such as e.g. GPS. This is useful as not everyone will want the glare of the screen, especially at night whilst they are listening to their music. By pressing the 'open' button on the unit the screen automatically pops up. This button does act like a toggle switch, by pressing again, the screen closes. Switching off the ignition will switch off the radio and the screen will also automatically close, if in display mode.

At least, there is sound now, whereas there was no sound before the rewiring. It looks quite good too!

Not a bad thing as the set angle can prevent screen flare from the sun. Go to setup and follow instruction if any, within the menus. In my case all aspects tuned in well. Speakers at the back of the chairs work well, footwell speakers are also working. Personally, I don't rate the positioning of the footwell speakers and it looks like I will have to wire up the speakers X2 in each door. I had planned to install them later. By placing in 1 extra tweeter in both the doors, in all; that will give me 8 speakers throughout the Z3, this should make a difference of bringing the sound to the front and to give perhaps more clarity and sharper reception. We also need to bear in mind the Z3 is a convertible and there will be varied environmental noises to contend with when the ragtop is down. This could be another reason why BMW did an upgrade to the speaker systems within other models.