car stereo install questions

["Michael Wendell" <mwendell@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

i just purchased an older Blaupunkt Miami CD127 car stereo to replace
the head unit in my 1993 525iT. the OEM head unit has a short somewhere
and the left channel drops out frequently. anyway, i liked the
stock-look of the blaupunkt, it's also a CD player (the OEM unit is a
cassette), and it has an auxiliary input for my portable MP3 jukebox.

i got the stereo from a place called midwest electronics. they are a
Blaupunkt repair shop  in IL, but they also carry a whole line of older,
refurb'd models. the one i recieved looks brand new and included all of
the accessories that are supposed to come with the unit, including the
box and manual. total cost? $90 plus shipping. midwest is at
http://www.midwest-usa.com.

anyway, does anyone know how to install this into a '93 5 series? i've
heard horror stories about replacing stock BMW stereos. the new head
unit outputs 30w on each of 4 channels, do i need to bypass the stock
amplifier? where is it? any other hints or tips?

i've done lots of automotive work in the past, and don't shy away from
anything, but i've never really been lucky enough <g> to do any car
stereo work. any advice i can get before diving into this would be
deeply appreciated.

m.

'93 525iT
'90 Civic Si ZC
'84 318i SCCA ITB
'77 Argosy 28

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