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Blaupunkt Radio Recommendation

Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2019 10:44 am
by Dale Hedtke
I'm looking for a period correct Blaupunkt radio for my 1978 530i and just can't nail it down by looking at photos on line, etc.

What makes sense?

Thanks in advance

Dale

Re: Blaupunkt Radio Recommendation

Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2019 9:12 am
by 528i-1981
My 81 528i came stock with a DAI-9400D head unit, made by Audio Systems Incorporated (ASI) of Japan. These were auto-reverse cassettes but all of their drive bands eventually failed, and direct replacement parts are unavailable. You could find a couple and try to scavenge parts, but most of these units shared the same failure mode so that struck me as pointless.

Now there is a DAI-9401D on eBay now that looks serviceable, is alleged to work, and with some cleanup might work for you.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/153703078177
I have no knowledge whether the 9410D suffers the same problems as the 9400D, so caveat emptor. But if you're going to add an inline Bluetooth module, you may not care that the cassette player might wind up wobbly or dropping a channel on your road tunes mix tape.

The real issue is rear clearance, as shaft-style head units did not conform to any standard size like the later DIN chassis. But two units that are still generally operative and available that I had identified as probable fits (subject to dimension verification) are:

the Blaupunkt Stockholm 21; one here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/323821245362
the Blaupunkt CR-2001; one here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/272886371180

Of course you may have to contend with wiring and harness issues, but that's expected.

There's a seller on eBay called Joseph's Retro Sound in Zagreb that is very knowledgable - I bought my head unit (tested, in beautiful condition) from him and its was shipped in bulletproof packaging from Croatia with no issues:
https://www.ebay.com/usr/josephs-retro- ... 7675.l2559

Cheers,
Eric

Re: Blaupunkt Radio Recommendation

Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 10:29 pm
by Lock
Can confirm the Blaupunkt CR-2001 fits - My 528i came with a box of parts and that was one of the original items in it. Mine is 1979 so that would be correct here.

It even had the original dealer install sticker on it from Peter Pan BMW San Mateo. Gave it to a friend with a period correct Porsche.

Re: Blaupunkt Radio Recommendation

Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:59 am
by Dale Hedtke
Thanks folks for the radio info. I've never installed a radio in any of my old cars; they always came with a serviceable, modern unit.

I have a newer model that I'm going to stick in the car, just to get started on sorting out the wiring, amps, cross overs, and speakers. I think I'm going to be a bit frustrated at times, but once I get a good wiring diagram made up, it should flow.

Cheers

Dale

Re: Blaupunkt Radio Recommendation

Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 1:55 am
by Lock
If it helps I found with these cars - 1. the negative speaker wires are grounded in our cars, and all but the most basic radios since the 80s have balanced speaker outs - they won't work right (possibly be damaged) if you hook them up, so run your own speaker wires. And 2. The "power" cable for the radio only comes on at ACC-ON key inputs, so any radio with a display will lose its memory when you turn the car off. I hooked the power cable for the radio up to the cigarette lighter power, which is always on, and made the original radio power the 'on' signal.

Re: Blaupunkt Radio Recommendation

Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 2:58 pm
by 528i-1981
My unit (Blaupunkt Bavaria Reverse C) has a memory wire that I also hooked up to the cigarette lighter.

Isn't it awesome that when E12's were designed, along with the hazard lights, the cigarette lighter was considered so indispensible that it always has power? Headlights? Nah - find the key. Want a smoke while waiting for the tow truck? Kein Problem, Bruder.

I remember melting the AM radio preset buttons using the cigarette lighter in our 1965 Plymouth Barracuda while my mom was inside the supermarket. Those cars would shift out of park without the key. Believe me.

Re: Blaupunkt Radio Recommendation

Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 3:47 pm
by Dale Hedtke
Great info.

First car I drove was Grandpa's Jeep. If your dad parks it on a hill and you monkey with the 3 gearshift levers you e d up in the neighbor's yard....

Next up, my other grandpa's car...

Oh well.

Re: Blaupunkt Radio Recommendation

Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2019 6:27 pm
by 10ringarcher
Dale,
I have a few pictures of my original 78 530 Blaupunkt radio I can email you. I haven't posted pictures here in a long time and forgot how to do it. I think I used photo bucket in the past.
I have your email from another thread. Sending pics in a few minutes.

Re: Blaupunkt Radio Recommendation

Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2019 7:27 pm
by 10ringarcher
Let me try this

Re: Blaupunkt Radio Recommendation

Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2019 2:51 am
by Bareld
Did you check this site?


https://www.radiomuseum.org/

Lots of info and period search option

Re: Blaupunkt Radio Recommendation

Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2019 4:07 pm
by HB528i

Re: Blaupunkt Radio Recommendation

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:44 am
by PatinaBeforePolish
My favorite radio:

Image

Re: Blaupunkt Radio Recommendation

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 6:40 pm
by 528i-1981
Sounds better than the stock speakers.