Re: My 2 cents worth again (archive)

Totally agree. The days of some eager 'stereo specialist' ripping up the dash of my brand new car, fabricating panels, harnesses and brackets and then praying everything works now/later and not loosen up, make creaking/rattling noises are over for me. On top of that, losing your warranty, steering button controls and the overall non-integration... My nav, the second I've gotten a car with, is not great like my Acura one but it works quite well actually. Its one of those things we worry too much about but as long as it works when we use it...

I think you will lose the integration that BMW provides. The NAV, Phone, and Stereo are so integrated and complex, you will have problems. The factory stuff isn't the best on the market, but if you get the voice control module, it will work well. To use the Alpine, I would take everything out, including the speakers (losing steering controls and some other functionality). Forget ever installing a BMW integrated phone. Without a phone system, it will probably work. It will cost you a fortune, won't be that much better, you will lose some integration with the steering wheel controls, and you won't get any of it back on resale.

These features are not that important on a BMW. Get the nice, overly priced, integrated, covered by warranty, BMW factory installed accessories. It will do 99 percent of everything that the Alpine will do, and you won't have to worry about tearing up your new, expensive vehicle hoping that everything will work out well on the installation. I think you'd be looking for trouble.

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