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Repair Summary
The following article gives detailed instructions on how to remove an E46 radio and replace it with an aftermarket head unit. Even though we have used a 2003 325ci to perform this repair, this article can be applied to any 1998-2006 BMW E46 3 series vehicle with minor modifications.
See all vehicles this article applies to
E46 3 Series 325ti
E46 3 Series 318td
E46 3 Series 320td
E46 3 Series 318ti
E46 3 Series 330xi
E46 3 Series 330i
E46 3 Series 330xd
E46 3 Series 330d
E46 3 Series 316ti
E46 3 Series 328i
E46 3 Series 325xi
E46 3 Series 325i
E46 3 Series 320i
E46 3 Series 323i
E46 3 Series 320d
E46 3 Series 318i
E46 3 Series 318d
E46 3 Series 316i
E46 3 Series M3 CSL
E46 3 Series M3
E46 3 Series 330Ci
E46 3 Series 330Cd
E46 3 Series 325Ci
E46 3 Series 323Ci
E46 3 Series 320Ci
E46 3 Series 320Cd
E46 3 Series 318Ci
E46 3 Series 328Ci
E46 3 Series 316Ci
E46 3 Series 323i 2.4
E46 3 Series 316i 1.9
E46 3 Series 316i 1.6
As our wonderful BMW E46 3 series cars age, so do the electronics. Since most of us enjoy listening to music while cruising in our bimmers, it can be a real drag when the stock stereo head unit takes a dump on us. It may be time for a BMW E46 radio upgrade.
The good news is the parts aftermarket is flooded with original head units for BMW's....especially for the E46. eBay is without a doubt your best source of original and rebuilt head units that match your car. Or, if you are interested in upgrading your head unit to incorporate newer technology like Bluetooth, Spotify, and Pandora, there are literally hundreds of "direct fit" BMW E46 aftermarket radio's to install (see our parts list below for some great options). If you are replacing your working stock head unit with an aftermarket one, we suggest holding on to the original. If you ever go to sell the car, later on, a lot of potential buyers would rather see a stock stereo unit in the car.
Replacing a damaged BMW E46 radio head unit in a 3 series is extremely simple...in fact it is probably one of the easier DIY projects you will ever do. Just follow our instructions below and you will be back to jamming out to your favorite tunes in no time. Unless you are car nerds like us at the BMW Repair Guide...we enjoy just listening to the engine!
View the detailed parts diagram for this repair.
Includes detailed part diagrams, part numbers and links to purchase all of the required components needed to complete this repair.
Section 1 - BMW E46 Radio Removal
- Use a 10 mm socket wrench and disconnect the negative cable from your vehicle's battery. It is good practice to never work on your cars electronics with the battery connected.
- Use a plastic trim removal tool to loosen the dashboard trim above the BMW E46 radio and above the glove box. The glove box trim just needs to be loosened just enough on the left side so the radio trim can be slipped out from underneath it.
- Use a phillips head screwdriver to remove the two radio head unit mounting screws.
- Grasp the BMW E46 radio head unit and pull away from the dash board so you have access to the wires behind it.
- Release the antenna wire from the back of the unit...it just pulls straight out.
- Release the main wiring harness from the back of the BMW E46 radio. First, use your fingers to slide the plastic fitting up as far as it will go. Next, slide a screwdriver under the fitting and pull it up the rest of the way until it releases from back of radio.
- Just follow the above steps in reverse to hook up your replacement stereo. Don't forget to hook your battery back up!
BMW E46 Radio Replacement finished
