[Quick Review] Alpine IDE 178BT Head Unit in BMW E46

As title :)

[RobbieKhan]

On the E46 you have to take out the whole glovebox (guides all over youtube) and feed the USB cable extension from the back of the HU . The glovebox has a hole in the rear for the cable to fit through making it fairly easy.

[chokingalibi]

Thanks for this review - really helpful as I'm looking into buying a BT headunit at the minute.

[RobbieKhan]

Depends on what you like. If you're gonna browse from the head unit and stuff and want nav etc then go double din else single is fine.

[RobbieKhan]

I've had the DEH5000UB before the Alpine and both offer great sound quality, if they have a Parametric EQ then you can tailor the sound to your car speakers and get a much better sound so with that in mind the quality difference can't be compared since different cars have different speakers. In my car I found the Alpine to offer richer bass without being boomy.

[blueones]

Ahhh thats cool, thanks a lot dude. That was quite helpful :)

[blueones]

Hey Robbie... Im gonna go with the Alpine HU but wanted to ask. How did u root the USB to the front via the glove, I've had a look and can't see how to get the wire through. Did u have to drill any holes? Thanks in advance.

[RobbieKhan]

That Pioneer is up to £100 more expensive it seems but does have a few more features like network mode. Depends on what you want really. Pioneers tend to me mostly focused on iPhone/iPod connectivity as well as I found features missing on previous models if you had an Android phone.

On the Alpine everything seems to work seamlessly on Android. Both will offer excellent sound quality though. I think I refer the 178T Alpine for style though, less bits sticking out/silver = a sleeker fascia.

[hast]

very little price difference between IDE and CDE, + less available in shops
Any reason to stick with the IDE?

[UmarSharif]

Nice quick review Robbie? Btw what was the music playing app on your Note II pretty nice mp3 player!

[tomhartridge]

Hi Robbie,  
are you able to set this headunit up so that your android device will say satnav commands via the bluetooth when the HU is on a separate function such as USB

[blueones]

Hey dude... wat do u think of this HU against the Pioneer deh 80prs. Really stuck between the 2 at the moment.

[RobbieKhan]

Hi thanks and it's PowerAmp, very good music player :)

[blueones]

"less bits sticking out/silver" lol. I like the features on both however thats not my issue with choosing. Its more to do with sound quality. Do u think the alpine edges it slightly or reverse? Thanks for your help btw. :) And good review.

[jddownes]

Robbie...what was the music application u were using on the phone?...loved it...please let me know. It just seemed to have a nice layout and quick navigation...

[DB.Productions]

Hey. Any ide what is could be the problem? I have the cd verison and i intsalled on my e46. And with the connect 2 installing kit and frame the steering wheel control is not working and plus i have a noise to comeing trough. What is it could be the roblem?

[jakebaker]

I have this unit in my e46 but i have the HK upgraded speakers with the Sub. But the sub doesn't seem to work with this unit. Any ideas?

[DjKreationz]

will this radio work in the USA...i notice this unit is not sold in the USA

[OddClancy]

Hey man, I was wondering if you could help me with a problem im having with the head deck. 
Every time I turn off my engine or accessories, it seems to reset all the settings on the unit. For instance, every time I pair my phone through bluetooth and turn the engine/accessories off it will unpair it.
Also, if I leave the unit on a particular radio station and turn off engine/accessories it will automatically start at the lowest frequency. 
Could you help me at all with this problem? 

[brownin]

is that sound setup just stock business speakers and this head unit or do you have a sub and uprated speakers/tweeters to boot?

[caronconcar]

Robbie have the same Phone what Cable did you use to Connect Note 2 Great Video