B.S.

Every BMW dealer says that, what is true is that the integrated headunits have BMW specific stuff built into them. They use the same clock (actually not sure WHERE the clock is in a BMW, the actual circuitry I mean.) for the radio/cd/cass unit and the onboard computer. The multifunction steering wheels have some controls incorperated into them for the BMW headunits (which are blaupunkts in disguise last time I looked). That sort of things. But to my knowledge there is nothing incompatible about wiring that can not be solved with a good adapter which is readily available in stores. You might loose a little bit of the tight integration (i.e. the clock and the steering wheel controls) but that is it.

Anybody here have any idea about that clock though ? Does the clock-circuitry reside in the integrated headunit or is it outside of the headunit ?

As for din-adapters, they exist for sure for the 3 series so I would think they are available for other models too. Not having seen an X5 yet I can not guarantee it though but it would seem very unlikely that they do not exist. Ask an installer in your area, I am sure they have more info on that. I doubt there is an online resource for this though. The 3-series faceplates sell for like 25-40 $US over here making it a pretty low-key item.

Cheers,
Hans


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