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 ? Will it work for 3 series vehicles ? YES, MOST!    SEE LATEST NOTES AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
1. We had no definite answer, so we decided to pull a 3 series in and test for ourselves. We performed a test in a -1997- 318ti with the M/Sport package. Since this customer´s vehicle had an aftermarket radio in it already, you will notice 2 radios in the vehicle. One on the left (ignore that one) and the original radio which came with the car on the right. We used a PLUG IN HARNESS (available in our `tools´ department in our storefront on the aftermarket radio so all we had to do was UNPLUG the aftermarket radio and plug the factory radio back in for the test!

Shown above is our changer cables box plugged into the factory cables located in the LEFT TAILLIGHT area. The carpet was easily removed in this 318ti. The cables were are PLUG AND PLUG!

Shown above is the radio we connected the changer to. DOES YOUR RADIO LOOK LIKE THIS? IF SO-It is compatible!

Shown on the display is the CD track and DISC playing!! Factory direct through our changer!

Shown above is the RND (RANDOM) function. HEY IT WORKS TOO! by holding down the SCAN button.

Shown above is the CD player in MANUAL mode (after hitting the M button), this allows you to manually seek the music

Shown above is the radio in SCAN mode (intros the tracks for a few seconds)

LATEST NOTES 12.25.99

Q: Will it work in 5 series vehicles and if so, what year?

A: It will work in 1997-1999 5 Series vehicles. We know it will work with any 5 series vehicle without navigation. If you own a 5 series vehicle, it will control all 10 disc through the ^V or "audio" button, professional RDS and Business RDS. 5 series radios with no nomenclature will accept 6 disc MD but the installation of a 10 disc changer will provide only direct access of disc 1-6. Radio will sequentially play disc 7-10 after the play of disc 6. This changer will also not work with any radio with DSP/PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM or AINET systems, all functions work but the audio signal in this vehicle is carried in a coaxial separate cable. The solution for this particular radio is coming shortly. It will work with ALL I-BUS RADIOS, to identify your radio, look in the radio portion of your owners manual, it will identify your vehicle with a I-BUS or AI-NET radio. I-BUS (YES), NON I-BUS AI NET (NO)

To identify your vehicle: 3 series LOOK in your car audio owners manual, it will state if it is equipped with a I-BUS or AI bus radio. ONLY THE I-BUS radio will work. For 5 series vehicles, look on page 28 of the car AUDIO owners manual to see what type of radio your car is equipped with.

Q: Will it work with older 5 series vehicles?

A: We have not researched it yet, but the answer is probably no. We have compatible changes in our "OEM DEPARTMENT" located in our storefront . The applications that will work is listed in the product description in our storefront.

Q: Will it work with 3 series vehicles.

A:From our test in a 1997 318ti vehicle, M sport - Our conclusion is YES, it will work without any problems. Since the 97318ti is a I-bus system, it should also work with the other vehicles of that year that uses a IBUS similiar type radio. (see photo of radio above). This should include all 96 year vehicles E36 3 series (except for pre 1997 318ti) vehicles and M3 from 09/95 production, all 1997 year E36, 318ti and 1997 Z3 Roadsters and E39 5 series vehicles. (( For 1999 3 series vehicles only, please check your owners manual. This changer will also not work with any radio with DSP/PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM or AINET systems, all functions work but the audio signal in this vehicle is carried in a coaxial separate cable. The solution for this particular radio is coming shortly. It will work with ALL I-BUS RADIOS, to identify your radio, look in the radio portion of your owners manual, it will identify your vehicle with a I-BUS or AI-NET radio. I-BUS (YES), NON I-BUS AI NET (NO)  )) (See our OEM DEPARTMENT PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS for the LATEST compatibility list)

Q: What else "WONT" it work with

A: We have tested it in a 1999 BMW 328 (new body design) and know it is not compatible. A separate different interface and changer combination is coming shortly for 1999 (new body style) 3 series vehicles. However, it should still be compatible with 1999 M3 VEHICLES until the body is changed.  It probably will not be compatible with non I-bus units which include ALL E34 5 series, E32 7 series and E36 prior to 9/95 and 95/96 318ti vehicles.(( Please check your owners manual. This changer will also not work with any radio with DSP/PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM or AINET systems, all functions work but the audio signal in this vehicle is carried in a coaxial separate cable. The solution for this particular radio is coming shortly. It will work with ALL I-BUS RADIOS, to identify your radio, look in the radio portion of your owners manual, it will identify your vehicle with a I-BUS or AI-NET radio. I-BUS (YES), NON I-BUS AI NET (NO)  ))

Q: Is this a BMW changer?

A: No, the changer we use is a 10 disc changer which has ELECTRONIC SHOCK PROTECTION built in (buffer memory), in terms of features, it offers more. However, this is not a BMW made changer, also, AUTOTOYS.COM and SOUND CONCEPTIONS is in no way affilated or associated with BMW NA or BMW in any way, shape or form. Also, this product is not endorsed by BMW in any form. The 6 disc changer is made by a major aftermarket Japanese based automobile stereo company. Both changers are made by MAJOR manufacturers of car audio aftermarket and home equipment in the US. Both are 8x oversampling and both offer a 1 year warranty against defects (repair only). The converter also carries it's own warranty from the manufacturer. Why pay 4x the price of our OEM compatible changer! Cartridges are also available for extra play time for a FRACTION of the factory changer.

Q: I heard there is a MINIDISC changer

A: Yes, that is correct, we also offer a MINIDISC option in addition to our COMPACT DISC CHANGER.

Q. If I do not own a 5 series vehicle and have a compatible radio, will I be able to control all 10 disc? I l know the new 97-99 5 series can control all 10

A: The answer is no. If you do not own a 97-99 5 series, you will only be able to access disc 1 through 6 on the radio just by pressing the buttons 1 through 6. The scan, random and manual modes will ALL work. If your radio is a professional RDS or business RDS radio, you may change to disc 7-10 by using the ^V or "audio" button. Since the FACTORY UNIT is only 6 this, you are still getting a fantastic bargain and are not paying ANY MORE for the 10 disc changer. We choose this changer only because it offers electronic  shock protection memory and is very reliable. However, radio will sequentially play disc 7-10 after the play of disc 6.

Q: How hard is it to install?

A: It is as easy as finding the factory prewired cables, plugging it in and then mounting the changer. The cables that comes prewired in your vehicle will plug right into our converter, no splicing or cutting. The changer does not come with SPECIFIC brackets for your vehicle, but it can be mounted either horizontally or vertically and it has a very small footprint size. (AS OF FEB 1999) all new adapters utilize the 5m length of cable that comes with our changers, this allows you to mount the changer virtually ANYWHERE in your vehicle.

Q: OK, I want to place a order? How do I do it? When is it available? (price includes free shipping)

A: It is available RIGHT NOW. We have the units in stock for immediate delivery. We 'guarantee' we have the LOWEST PRICE on these changers (our price includes all shipping costs within the 48 states, adapter, changer and interface). Autotoys.com is YOUR SOURCE for OEM applications.

Q: I am pretty sure I got a I-BUS RADIO - Am I right?

A: We had customers who were 99.9% sure that they had a I bus radio, but they were wrong. Mainly because of the fact that a service person, parts manager or sales person told them that they had a I-BUS radio. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. CORRECTLY IDENTIFY your radio before ordering, IBUS WILL WORK, A-I BUS WILL NOT. Period. Our changers work with I-BUS radios, guaranteed -- all sales are final because all of our products are new, so 'BE SURE' of your radio type before you place a order. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

To place a order: You can call us during business hours, 201-224-SNDC 10AM-5PM M-F EST

or

Visit our storefront and use our shopping cart, it is located in the OEM SECTION DEPARTMENT