Garry

Will a Blaupunkt, "Munchen" work in the shark. It's got a fold down face for the CD and I'm wondering if anyone out there has installed it.

<img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

Jim A

I installed a RDM-169 (Tokyo) model in my '86 euro. Your radio is also a RDM-169, but with different faceplate graphics. It installed fine, and works great. The 4 small speakers do not pack any bass, and I added an inexpensive Bazooka EL8-HP subwoofer with built in 100W amp (Ebay,$110) To mount the sub, I added another metal clip like the ones on the floor in front of the tool tray. I placed the new clip on the passenger side, about 10" to the left of the existing one. There is no danger of puncturing the gas tank mounting a clip here. The clips are used to strap the tube in. Send the RCA subout from the radio back and add a splitter. Use amp low level input. The radio rocks, and base is low and clear.
Good Luck...

Garry

Jim, did the unit fit in without any modifications? How about the plug-ins, Did they require major/minor work? I was worried about the fold down face not being able to work.

Thanks, Gary

Jim A

The radio comes with a Blaupunkt frame that the radio slides through and locks in place. You can not see the frame once the radio us inserted. I am very pleased with the installation and performance. I recall I had to disconnect the Porsche factory fader switch - on the drivers side, near the handbrake. I ran new wires to each door speaker, and at the disconnected fader, I connected to the existing rear wiring. I suppose you could run new wiring to the fader switch and connect from there to doors and rear speakers. Don't forget to use a 5" or 6" length of perforated steel to extend from the radio rear stud and bend to rest on the transmission hump. This adds stability, so the radio does not bounce after installation. The wiring harness is pretty straight forward. The fold down face works great.
Be sure to check out the sub. It adds depth to the music. I'm 46, not a head banger, and appreciate driving with good full range music. Good Luck...

Garry

Thanks Jim.
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Mike Velez

I know they're the original equipment, but every stereo guy I've spoken with says that Blaupunkt's are the biggest pieces of crap made these days. The older kenwoods have a nice amber hue to them that matches the rest of the dash.

Dave H.

really? my car came with a kenwood cd deck in it. that was a piece of crap. swapped it out for a Blau Toronto and gave the kenwood away. it has the vario-color display so it's a nice match for the dash lighting. the KeyCard is a nice feature too...

reptileis

In the end it all boils down to individual prefference- However, being an auto audiophile , Ive done a lot of research into my head units.
I used to love Blaupunt. Back in the day they were the schitt, like nakamichi. But nowadays their specs just don't add up and their cost just keeps getting lower. By todays standards, they are equal to the clarions of old (mid range quality). I don't have a preference to a brand name- Ive used Kenwood high end excelon series and I Know that they are TOUGH decks that take a serious beating from the track. I also used a newcomers deck recently- a Rockford Fosgate with great results (no long term report yet). Lastly, Ive found that blending your head set to the dash (black deck /black dash) doesnt make the dash look any better, just makes the stereo look duller. My last installs were chrome looking decks into cars with black dashboards (81 Scirocco, 78 928) and they look good. If you need to tye in the chrome- get a new shift ****.

Now if you like the way your blaupunt works, looks, and sounds (thats #1), then enjoy. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Jim Nowak

I recently ripped my Blau out of the dash. No really, I ripped the blue dot "piece" out of my car and trampled the thing in the street. I then proceeded to run over it a few times making sure no one will ever be able to use this piece of crap ever again.

In the Blau's place I installed a Pioneer Premier 730 and hooked-up XM radio. Great improvement in every aspect.

This may be the exception to the rule but I had nothing but trouble with my Blau: first the LED stopped working; the CD player conked-out; then the radio tuner wouldn't get reception if the station was more than 20 miles away and I live in Florida so mountains weren't in the equation.

I don't think everyone will or does have problems with their Blau like I have experienced. Will I use their product again? No! However, to each their own. I wish everyone the best in all their ventures but I am very unimpressed with their offerings or performance.

Jim Nowak

John Struthers

Agreed on the "each their own".

I sort of cheaped out and went with an Aiwa.
Only problems were if I used the units Light Grey plastic outer trim it; 1.) Looked out of place. (2.) Would kick the unit over to the left by -approx. - 1/32" and both a gap and a deck heigth difference - left short, right high - became "noticeable". (3.) Hard to extract removeable face.
I removed everything related to the Blau from in and behind the console for storage. Wired direct for front and rears from original feeds after the pass. side suppressor but before the old amp.
This left fader wiring in place - remove at later date - put fader in neutal/balance position and now balance with Aiwa thru the old fader.
Hey! It was cold ,getting dark, and did not want to start yanking Pattycakes' leather for the wire runs. The old speakers, and I do mean old, still provide a good - not great - range.
I do need to add another foam covered support strap as all of the road reflectors have recently been changed. Being new they are somewhat higher and the skip mode gets a work out at speed.
One other issue. I checked all of the a/c, heater vent actuators and elec. and vacuum lines while I was in the console. Either missed something or something developed since then.
I now have a intermittent 'magic heater', which really makes itself known after a good 18 hour trickle charge. When the magic occurs I notice the CD's are HOT upon removal -only instance of heat is when the Magic occurs-.
One last thing. I went back to the stock single pipe set-up as I cruise for stangs'/camaros'in 2nd (3spd auto,) to keep on the Cam. It sounded good, but to much pipe for the stereo. Working on a set of duals at present.
John S. and Pattycakes. <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" /> <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

Dave H.

maybe i should have added "it's good enough".

i do all my real listening at home, i don't believe a car is a proper listening environment. basically, it's something to listen to, but not that important...

Jim Nowak

Dave,

Yah, I can see your point.

However, I'm in my car, 560 SEC(work car), for around 5 hours a day and I need something that sounds great. It's amazing how nice it is to listen to a car stereo of excellent quality and how a poor quality system will give you a headache in a very short time. In fact, I enjoy listening to music more in my car than at home and would say that my car stereo sounds better than my home stereo.

Jim Nowak

Normy

I can understand Jim's point!

"Jett Lag" has a pioneer DEH-225, which does little more than interfere with me hearing the music that my Borla exhaust emits!

Really, most of the year in Orlando, I drive around with the windows open, which further degrades stereo performance, but a cheap deck is a headache no matter what. I cannot recommend the stereo in my car at all- first of all it sounds pretty average, and second...it is impossible to see in the day! The 928's steeply angled console and windshield conspire to cast bright glare on the faceplate, which has a stupid black background/white numeral LCD display.

-I just know that one of these days I'm going to get frustrated, rip the thing out, and run it over with "Happy Truck", the '66 Ford truck I park at the airport.

(it's heavier than the 928 and thus will do a better job.)

What I'd like to find is a stereo with in-dash CD (no boxes in the trunk, please....) that somewhat matches the look of the console. And it should at least be visible during the day! I've converted my pod lights to amber and would like to have something with similar colors.

Any suggestions before I put HappyTruck to work?

Normy~

reptileis

Tons,
look online through Ebay!

Donald

Garry-
I have installed a BP Muenchen, fits fine. I'll leave it to others to debate the finer points.

Matched it to a BP CDCA08 CD changer (cargo area mounted), popped in Kenwood KFC-1077 speakers in front, JBL GTO6020 in the big back holes, and a Pioneer ts-wx65 powered sub-woofer. Ignored the old tweeter holes.
Enjoy whatever you stick in, I'm happy.
Cheers,
Donald

P.S. Normy- Muenchen has a built-in cd as well, FYI