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Nope (archive)
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Posted by ChipB on July 23, 2001 at 07:21:50:

In Reply to: stock CD changer compatibility?? posted by MDS328is on July 22, 2001 at 20:40:33:

In '97 BMW's audio provider (Alpine) changed the protocol for communications between the head unit and CD player to a new system call I-Bus. Consequently, the '97 system is incompatible with changers built for earlier models. Apline private-labeled this system to BMW, and to my knowledge never offered the I-Bus system to the general public under the Alpine name. This is what allows BMW toget away with charging outrageously high prices for a CD player.


I've got a '97 328is and I've been going without the CD player since I bought it. I finally found a used disc changer for a reasonable price (ie, not the usual 20 billion dollars) but it's out of a '95 325. What are the chances it will work in my car?




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