Yes, you're right, it's a lot of music on 6 CDROMS. And the steering wheel
controls do work well, as does Scan. The Random function is problematic for
me, though. When Random is pressed, the unit will pick a disc at random,
usually the next one in the rotation, and will randomize only the songs on
that one disc, not the whole changer, and not the disc I currently have
selected and mounted (and wanted randomized in the first place!).
Furthermore, it will not hold the random sort between shutoffs; once you
restart the car, it starts playing where it was, but then moves sequentially
through the rest of the disc. If you press Random again to get it back - it
picks another disc and randomizes that, etc. I like the Randomize feature, I
just wish I had more control over the material that was randomized, and that
it would hold the sort until I tell it to let go.

As with all changers using the non-nav bus, you only get "CD1-01" track
numbers - no titles, artist, etc. - displayed on the HU. This is not such a
big deal with CD's where you can remember what's in the changer and there
are not that many tracks anyway. When you're dealing with 40 to 50 albums
and perhaps 1000 songs in MP3 form, you begin to need a little more info in
order to be able to wade through that much material.

Plus, as I mentioned, the changer is slow to read discs, especially the
first time (I've timed it taking up to 7 minutes to read a full CDROM with
~120 songs). Once the disc has been read, the changer is faster to respond,
but still seems to take about twice as long to switch tracks as a regular
CD. CD performance with this changer, BTW, is every bit as good as the HU
or, I presume, the OEM changer.

That said, it is a fine changer, sounds great, doesn't skip, works pretty
much as advertised, and the price is right at around $360 for the complete
changer/adapter/cable package from Crutchfield. It's probably available for
a little less if you really shop around.

I guess I'm finally swayed by the elegance of the Phatbox solution in having
my entire collection right there with me. Much more flexibility with
playlists, scanning, randomizing, etc., and the voice announce system keeps
my eyes on the road. I've been very impressed by the performance of my
Bluetooth phone system the voice command, etc., and hope the Phatbox
will be worth the extra money. I'll post more when I get results...

Rick Peeples

"SYSTECH, Peter Wirthensohn" wrote in message
...
refer to www.bm3w.co.uk and click editorial for details on installing the
Alpine CHA-S634 MP3 capable stacker. With a suitable adapter and adaptor
cable (all readily purchasable) you get up around 80 hours of MP3s on 6
disks - how much more music do you want !? Is also controllable via the
steering wheel controls (next track, previous track) and via SCAN and
RANDOM
function controls of Business head unit.

I have done the install on my E46 , piece of cake, and fully recommend the
solution.



Darren Cooper wrote in message
...
Hi,
I have just bought a 320d Touring, 2001 150hp version. I want to add a
6-disc changer in the boot and there is a bracket there for it and 2
wires
with plugs on taped up. One is a 4pin, with 3 wires - bn, red/gn,wh and
the
other an 8 pin plug also with 3 wires, all white with coloured stripes.
Are
these the plugs for the CD changer? If so, what make of changer will
work
with these plugs? I dont want to change the head unit (std business
radio/cassette). If they're not for the changer, what do the plugs look
like? Are they all pre-fitted to cars?

TIA

Darren