Best Car MP3 player for under $500??

[CtK]

im looking to change my stock HU
i cant stand not knowing what time and what song or station is on at the same time with out going back and forth
BMW has to make better car stereos
at least with a bigger LCD to show more info!!

here are my suggestions which one do u think are the best

i like the Alpines but it wont match the red illumination of my car
or will it?? post pics thanks!!
and which Alpine??

i also like the Panasonic i think it will look very nice you can custom make the color!!

and i read good reviews on the Kenwood

Alpine 9815

Alpine 7897

Kenwood MP922

Panasonic 2083U

add any other models if you think they are better

thanks for your help
i have a 2K2 BMW 325Ci

 

[isekii]

for that price i'd prolly look for an HD based headunit

 

[Falloutboy]

my borther has the 9815 very nice deck tons of features.

I didn't have quite that much money so I went with a Sony MP70 I absoluty love this deck, the main selling point on this deck was the ease of use to navagate thru menus while driving.

 

[biffbacon]

what kind of headunit is in the bmw now? harmon kardon?

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: biffbacon
what kind of headunit is in the bmw now? harmon kardon?

I think harmon kardon might be an upgrade option.

 

[biffbacon]

i have the harmon kardon, w/ the 12 speaker premium sound package, and have no probs at all with the unit. i love it

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: biffbacon
i have the harmon kardon, w/ the 12 speaker premium sound package, and have no probs at all with the unit. i love it

that was an upgrade option right ?

 

[biffbacon]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: biffbacon
i have the harmon kardon, w/ the 12 speaker premium sound package, and have no probs at all with the unit. i love it

that was an upgrade option right ?

yeah

 

[CtK]

Originally posted by: biffbacon
what kind of headunit is in the bmw now? harmon kardon?

no i didnt want that option ppl told me it wasnt worth the $600-700

 

[CtK]

Originally posted by: isekii
for that price i'd prolly look for an HD based headunit

those run closer to $1000-1500
for that i would rather get a 7" LCD/DVD/MP3 player

 

[CtK]

Originally posted by: RadioActiveMan666
my borther has the 9815 very nice deck tons of features.

I didn't have quite that much money so I went with a Sony MP70 I absoluty love this deck, the main selling point on this deck was the ease of use to navagate thru menus while driving.

ya its nice but i read some ppl having quality problems with them

 

[Keego]

I've been looking for one in the $200 price range and I've found a couple that I like.

This is most likely what I'm going to get:
Clarion DXZ635MP

I've had a horrible time trying to find one that matches my cars interior, I don't want red glow crap when my car has a dark grey interior.

The Alpine CDA-7995 is nice but out of my price range, that's like a weeks wage after tax! :disgust:

 

[CtK]

Originally posted by: Keego
I've been looking for one in the $200 price range and I've found a couple that I like.

This is most likely what I'm going to get:
Clarion DXZ635MP

I've had a horrible time trying to find one that matches my cars interior, I don't want red glow crap when my car has a dark grey interior.

The Alpine CDA-7995 is nice but out of my price range, that's like a weeks wage after tax! :disgust:

i read a good one for around $200 is the Pioneer 5500

which is only $183 at audio warehouse

 

[Keego]

doesn't look good in my car :/

 

[CtK]

Originally posted by: Keego
doesn't look good in my car :/

what kind of car??

 

[glen]

I think you can get the Alpine in different colors.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: glen
I think you can get the Alpine in different colors.

you can ...

but if you get alpine try to get one of the japanese models..
those are so much nicer.

 

[CtK]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: glen
I think you can get the Alpine in different colors.

you can ...

but if you get alpine try to get one of the japanese models..
those are so much nicer.

not on the two models i wanted
they can change the contrast

 

[glen]

My Kenwood doesn't match my BMW either, bu then again, who cares?

 

[MisterPresident]

hey check out http://highwaymp3.com

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: CtK

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: glen
I think you can get the Alpine in different colors.

you can ...

but if you get alpine try to get one of the japanese models..
those are so much nicer.

not on the two models i wanted
they can change the contrast

Japanese models look similar to the one you listed, it does MP3's and it also does MD
Radio function might not work so well tho.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: CtK

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: glen
I think you can get the Alpine in different colors.

you can ...

but if you get alpine try to get one of the japanese models..
those are so much nicer.

not on the two models i wanted
they can change the contrast

Japanese models look similar to the one you listed, it does MP3's and it also does MD
Radio function might not work so well tho.

Very true. I was in Akihabara in Tokyo and I really wanted to get the coolest mp3 head unit but all the vendors told me that the Radio wouldnt work abroad since Japan uses some other frequency range.
I ended up getting the CDA-7995 by alpine here in the US and its the coolest ever. There is no problem with the song gap that my previous Pioneer 7400mp had.
Wish I got the 7998 though But I got a good deal on the 7995 so I shouldnt complain.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Check out JVC's offerings. I've been really happy with my unit that's approaching two years old.

 

[CtK]

TTT

JVC are nice but most of there new models are all silver
looking for a black 2 match interior

 

[hevnsnt]

anyone replace a head unit in a 99-2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee? I want to know what the mounting kit for these look like