BMW E46 Eonon Q50 Head Unit - Is it any good?

[@jetsons101]

Ed, you paid for the car, it's your car. So do what you want and how you want. You can be trusted to only make good choices and do any work the right way.

[@yekateradiffin5939]

It's only original once ,would you fit one in a Wolseley ?

[@TwinCam]

It’s a stereo mate. If you think it’s existential to the car’s originality, heaven forbid people fit non-period tyres! 🤣

[@yekateradiffin5939]

@@TwinCam it's the thin end of the wedge,

[@iangascoigne8231]

@@yekateradiffin5939Yes.

[@jonnycando]

@@yekateradiffin5939 if the one that Wolseley provided was perished…yes I would….I’d keep the original kit however so snooty people could be pleased.

[@Alex-ky3gm]

I have bought this Eonon Q50 headunit a year ago, and after all this time it works perfectly. It is a very good choice if you are trying to make your e46 a better daily driving car, despite the disadvantages that were presented in this video. For me it is probably one of the best products that i bought for the car, because i often have to drive to new locations and its realy helpful to have navigation on your screen. It basically has the potential of a regular tablet, you can do whatever you like with the headunit. For example i installed Playstation Remote Play on the headunit and conected it to my PS5 so i can play with my friends in the car.

[@foxsake_]

Can u show us how mate that sounds good

[@EononOfficial]

Thanks for your sharing!🤗 Please follow the steps below to set the function of the up and down buttons on the steering wheel Settings--->Factory--->Enter password 123456--Knob Settings-->Switch the steering wheel up and down--->Open

[@toddcytra]

I installed this unit today into my e46 with the Harmon-Kardon speaker system and can confirm you do not need any extra adapters. The Eonon Q50pro installed out of the box and is fully functional. I have not changed any volume or eq settings and did not hear any 'tinniness' at all in the sound. Mind you, I've previously replaced the original speakers with the Bavsound Stage One speaker upgrade, so I expected this setup to sound amazing and it does. Prior to this unit I had the GM5150 installed (it stopped outputting any audio for some reason, hence the new unit) and I can say I already miss the volume dial. Hasn't even been a full day owning this unit yet. Finally, I'm not fond of the top edge sticking out as it does. I did prefer the flush look of the older eonon, and I'm also concerned the heat from the vents is going to cook the top of the screen come winter. I may end up replacing this unit. Time will tell. Anyway, thanks for the review, from beautiful British Columbia! : )

[@TwinCam]

Ah that's good to hear. I have a slip in the box it came in warning me that, depending on my car, it would need an adaptor!

[@frankb5603]

I just enjoy listening to the engine of my BMW. That's all I need at my great age.

[@Martin2153]

Good fellow! Glad to see the Boss upfront on your Spotify playlist.

[@TwinCam]

There wouldn't be anything else up there! Tunnel of Love is the greatest album ever written.

[@Astonvanquishs]

Hey Ed! I hope you like the head unit, I've had a Eonon d5150v before and then in 2020 I changed to the android GA9350 model for my E46 330 and I never had any issues with them, so imho they're good quality products!

[@ConwayT91]

I fitted a Blaupunkt Bremen SQR 46 DAB for a vintage look, but new functionality. Sound quality was a bit meh (especially compared to old blaupunkt quality) but the eq settings and looks make up for it imo. This touchscreen seems very modern, hope you enjoy using it. Maybe give a 6 month ownership update?

[@e28forever30]

It’s not really Blaupunkt anymore like we used to know it..

[@chrissdavey]

Nice review! This is interesting for me because I also have an E46 BMW. I bought it for the looks, the noise the straight six engine makes and the handling. Mine came with the oem Nav headunit. I’ve added bluetooth to the stock system, but yours is obviously a much newer system and is impressive, and doesn’t shout aftermarket 👍

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Chris :) If I wasn't using the car everyday for lots of cross-country travel, I wouldn't have bothered, but for me, it's worth having the extra functionality of something modern.

[@Zadster]

Looks pretty decent to me. The BMW is a working car, a tool to do your job, and it is perfectly right that you specify it and adapt it to help you do that job. Niggles aside, that seems a reasonable amount to pay, and the tablet functions seem quite a bit snappier than the screens I have seen on recent Mercedes, Range Rovers, Audis...

[@plym1969]

Love this. Best of both worlds.

[@OXOtwo]

I think it looks great. Yes it's a compromise so that you can have modern technology but I think it's perfectly acceptable.

[@qsxwdc1234]

Bookmarking this for when I pick my e46 up today aha, cracking video as usual!

[@tricialyn4645]

I feel this was a lot of work!! and very worthwhile :) I enjoyed the way you described everything too...TY for sharing

[@roberttaylor6295]

Ed, as I am not likely to every own a car again, let alone a BMW, and unlikely to need a music centre for your type of music, (I am a classical and New Orleans Jazz chap! Lol) I doubt if I will be in the market for and Eonon Q50, but I really did enjoy your honest review which was of the expected and usual immaculate high quality and enthusiasm. Ta muchly! Rob

[@sirpeepsalot1]

I like the choice of car. After the E21/E30 models, the E46 is my favourite. Having said that, I think you compromised on the headunit because of price and features. There are many aftermarket ones out there, and I'm sure you could have found one that fit properly. When you say that it looks more modern because it pokes out of the dash, I feel you are comparing it to those cars that have an info screen just bolted to the dash with no attempt at integration. They don't look modern, they look cheap and nasty. As soon as I opened the video, the poor fit immediately caught my eye, and throughout your review, I couldn't unsee it. 4/10, must try harder ! 😃

[@arthurdardalis]

There is another solution that could have been done, convert the original radio to Bluetooth, simple and cheap. My E46 has the original CD, I would never change it, it looks factory, dead easy to use, etc.

[@arthurdardalis]

@@thekurgan3688 I’m certain that you’re talking crap

[@andrewstahl6916]

@@arthurdardalisyeah using a bluebus keeps the original look, but if you aren’t concerned about that then spending an extra 100$ to get a head unit with all these features isn’t too bad

[@arthurdardalis]

Good video but there’s no way I would fit that to my E46, rightly or wrongly I’m a stickler for originality, my car has the BMW Business CD, I just use an FM transmitter

[@TwinCam]

I was planning on doing so for a fair while at least, but the Business CD I was supplied with has a different aerial port to the one the car was fitted with from factory. They’re different model years. So I was on CDs only!

[@erizzle67]

To be fair, regarding the reversed steering wheel buttons, it fits the car because the Steptronic in manual mode is also reversed! My VW is the opposite from my E46. In my mind the VW is the correct one!

[@KiwiStag74]

Hi Ed. When you were deciding on how to solve your dilemma, did you consider an FM Transmitter? Having an older car with a "great in its day" and still perfectly acceptable original unit, I went a different route to you and bought a 12v-socket-powered FM transmitter as a try-out idea before I spent the big bucks on replacing it. I can Bluetooth my phone to this wee unit, use either the phone or the buttons on the FM unit to play what I want and I also have hands-free for when someone calls me.....and the FM unit pauses the song playing so when the call ends, I continue on with the same song. It works the same even if I am playing songs off a USB flash drive or SD card and it has an additional 2.1 Amp USB port should I wish to charge my phone at the same time. Here in New Zealand, the FM transmitter cost me the sum total of $50 for one that renders the sound in stereo....so that's about 25 GBP. Ok, it doesn't have all the frilly bits that a tablet has and is purely an interface between my phone and a free FM band on the car's radio, but if I bring up Google Maps on my phone and get it to direct me to a location, the voice comes through the car stereo, so not competing with the music playing either....and I have a phone holder attached to the windscreen to look at the phone's screen if I want more info.....which, when given the directions verbally, is not often. With the functionality this unit has and the sound the original stereo still creates being of perfectly good quality, I would have a hard time trying to justify the cost of spending more, so I was wondering if you looked at them.....and why you didn't go with one to keep the car looking "absolutely original" as you wanted.....not that I have a problem with you installing a new stereo in your car - it is yours after all and if it does what you want, then all credit, mate.

[@arthurdardalis]

This is exactly what I did, I also use one in my 1979 Ford Capri which has its original Ford radio/stereo cassette

[@KiwiStag74]

@@arthurdardalis - I have an '83 AWA Clarion 450M radio/cassette in my '79 Triumph 2500S and a '91 Pioneer CD/Radio unit in my '74 Stag - both fitted before my ownership. Both stereos were considered very high quality in their day and with modern speakers (discretely hidden in the case of the 2500S), they still sound magic. I believe the Clarion was fitted shortly after the second owner took possession of the 2500S (she was in government service from new until 1983) and it really looks the part. The Pioneer doesn't look too out of place in the Stag, but I wasn't going to shell out big dollars for a new unit just to get hands-free if one of the little FM transmitters did the job well enough....and it works well. I did consider a cheap Chinese imitation old-school stereo, but it looked more like something fitted to a 1950s or 60s car than a 1974 model....and I doubted its sound would be as good as the Pioneer, so I stuck with the idea of another FM transmitter like I have in the 2500S. I've also found a frequency that does not get interference from any commercial station within 600km (350 miles) of where I live, so even the niggle of having to change frequencies dependant on where I was in the North Island is now a thing of the past. Nothing wrong with them, I think, and if I'm at a show and am worried about a more authentic-looking dashboard, I only have to pull it out the lighter socket and chuck it in the glove box!

[@RWL2012]

Eonon have seemingly been around a long time. The name has always reminded me of Onion lol

[@andrewstones2921]

Your car, your choice. I totally understand your need for Apple CarPlay, the choice of a Chinese Android head unit is obviously attractive due to price, but my experience with these Chinese head units has been frustrating so I'd always recommend a "real" brand where possible given constraints of budget etc. The name of that manufacturer is not actually the manufacturer, these are generic units turned out by OEM factories and then "branded" by people like Eonon, who package and market and provide support.. or not. You will find two annoyances immediately, reflections from that screen and annoying brightness in the dark which is hard to control correctly. You can custom set that steering wheel control very easily in the settings by the way. Myself when I am looking to buy any used car I am attracted to cars that have original factory audio, as well as original factory wheels etc etc.. I think the best compromise is to keep original equipment and use connector adaptors rather than hack into wiring.

[@garywjensen1]

I considered purchasing one, however, I went for a unit that one can has satellite radio as an option.

[@torresalex]

Very useful video. I've been looking to put an Android head unit on my old car for a while, so all the info I can get is very valuable. I know that the steering wheel button issue can be dealt with using a CanBus harness, but it may vary by model.

[@dandanghibrid6336]

I love your English accent 👍🏻

[@maxm6763]

Can't adjust speedometer brightness after installation. Any ideas how to resolve this? E46 convertible

[@quentin1o]

I bought my E46 this week, it is my first car :) I appreciate you a lot for making this video because for some reason the website was just a bit too sketchy for me to believe I was actually going to recieve anything. I think the headunit looks super clean and imho it modernises the interior of the E46 in a cool way, not to mention its practicality. By the way, do you have to cut the trim and the unit on other trim materials aswell? Not really looking forward to that, because I don't want to damage the car and make it drop value..

[@maxeluy]

There are launchers for car use on android, maybe trying one improves the tablet side of the unit.

[@TwinCam]

Yes, there's so much that can be done with Android. That's the beauty of it. As I use CarPlay so much though, I don't think I'll bother messing. But for someone using the system itself, I think it would be a must! :)

[@drevo50]

Wish this sort of thing had been around when I had an E46! BTW I don't get any operational lag with the line fit wireless CarPlay system in my G23 4 Series.

[@Jbabzie]

I have SAT/ Nav HK 330ci. Looking for a plug-in player replacement do you think this would work or is it for the business CD or whatever the other radios called

[@mannybassi9365]

I have an e46 and this unit but I cant get the odb2 to talk to the ecu. Has anyone done it before and can they share the settings please? I think that its things like baud rate that is causing the problem.

[@shudoggy666]

Did you recall the name of the OEM-style ones? I really want to upgrade but would like to keep the original look if anyone has any recommendations?

[@sgt.gunslinger1532]

with those steering wheel controls. Would there be any way to just reverse the wiring or is it something done in the factory?

[@dRew-something]

Great video! Where did you put the 4G and WIFI antenna?

[@TwinCam]

Thanks 🙂 Afraid I didn’t fit them to my car as I wasn’t planning on using them!

[@dRew-something]

@@TwinCam I just finished installing my unit,it was horrible doing it. Everything was extremely tight..it all works though and honestly I'm blown away by it ..the only thing that's confusing me is it's showing the wrong door is open..my car is a 2 door. Thanks for your reply.

[@toolsofpwnage5936]

I wanted to buy this but hearing it doesn't support eq while using android auto/carplay is a shame. I currently use the stock "business cd" and have the bass turned up to max. The default setting sounds way too anemic.

[@antwnisls]

Hi! Do the steering wheel controls work with a different head unit? If not, is there anything you can do to make it work again? Thanks in advance!

[@BRED510]

I've got an Xtrons DVD unit in my Mercedes V Class. Same thing basically. Works fine, no complaints. I can't help wonder if Xtrons/Eonon are the same company as the units are very similar. And tbh factory fit modern car head units are all glorified Android style units anyway.

[@MrClassy1991]

Would love to see an install vidoe 😅

[@Tegel4ever]

Have you tried the eq with your phone connected through usb on apple car play? Is it the same or does the built in eq works now? Usually audio from the phone is also available on the usb connection. Worth the try. But then again, I wouldn't be suprised if it's a little bit of a shortcoming...

[@pimblommers7012]

How did you make the wireless apple CarPlay ?

[@e28forever30]

Nice upgrade. Don’t get distracted by autistic people who absolutely want their original radios to enjoy crappy sound. I fitted my ‘87 E28 with a single din Becker DTM High Speed, blasphemy for some, nice upgrade for me. Black faceplate, central display, not to many pushbuttons and 2 rotary controls, left and right. Plugged in an ISO Bluetooth receiver and I’m done.

[@NandoGriffiths]

Can this unit be updated to Android 13?

[@victor-xy7dq]

how is the navigation? Do u have to look down at the screen to see the navigation? would it be better to have installed another head unit on top of the dash?

[@TwinCam]

This is the same location, though a larger screen, as the original BMW navigation. The only reason I wouldn’t use that original unit is because of how outdated it now is.

[@matthewrivera3698]

What size screen did you get for you e46

[@XclusiveAaron]

Good video man! My last E46 330i I had in 2020 had one of those original OEM look but modern screens and it was actually really good modern sat nav and the whole lot, really liked it! My current E46 330Ci has the same looking one but standard OEM so looks the same but isn't touch screen and way more dated. I've left that in though for originality because I have a V8 6 series as a daily (but my E46 is my favourite car and a peach of an E46)👍

[@TwinCam]

Cheers mate 🙂 When I eventually get myself either an E39 or E46 Touring, I’ll probably look into getting one of those!

[@undy]

Nice review, not many recent ones around on the Chinese systems that naturally have progressed a bit as well. I can understand someone wanting this, but when I see the slowness in it and consider that it Android based….that has me worried. I have discarded this option as it is still at least around 200 euros for uncertain quality. I did consider the more serious e46 specific 705 unit by Alpine (the manufacturer of the oem systems as well) as it has proper support, good options/design and is actually a qualitative amplifier. But it’s a bit more steeply priced (although many dropshippers sell these chinese units close to the alpine price here) and when I come to think of it it just adds a screen in a place where I enjoy driving and being without screens and connectivity. So I went with just Bluetooth replacement for the cd changer. I might reconsider, but then it would be Alpine for me.

[@TwinCam]

It's not slow to use at all. There's a delay in Wireless CarPlay only, but that's replicated in many OEM modern car systems. When plugged in, the responses are instant.

[@adi404]

Can someone say how u managed to connect the steering wheel buttons!!😬

[@TwinCam]

They're connected from factory! The unit interfaces with the steering wheel buttons just as the factory stereo does.

[@TheBlade616]

What's the adapter plate mate? you got a link?

[@TwinCam]

It’s a BMW original part. I don’t know the number but it’s in all cars with sat nav from the factory.

[@tcpnetworks]

Better than all Toyota units...

[@ricksampson6780]

Certainly appears to be value for money, does it incorporate any anti-theft technology?

[@TwinCam]

I don’t believe so, but it’s 2023. However, if someone did try it on, the car has its own sophisticated locking and alarm system.

[@ricksampson6780]

@@TwinCam Your correct of course, are you aware that genuine OEM immobiliser key-fobs are ridiculously expensive to replace?, cheers.

[@TwinCam]

I have two of them, both of which work fine.

[@arthurdardalis]

The batteries in the original key are charged every time the key is put in the ignition, here in Greece a replacement key, non-BMW original but looks exactly the same, is about €100, the genuine is about three times that

[@dexietyy7922]

Did you keep your steering wheel controls? Mine don’t work anymore

[@TwinCam]

They work fine on mine!

[@dexietyy7922]

@@TwinCam turns out my steering wheel control panel died!

[@lipsee100]

Will it fit into a Rover 75?

[@MarcosCodas]

Did you have to move the climate control unit down to make room? If so, does this head unit come with the bracket to hold the climate control down there? I have a 1999 car with a single din slot and the climate control right below it.

[@TwinCam]

Yes, the climate controls have to be moved. BMW offered top of the range E46s with a sat nav, so some models had the climate controls lower down from the factory. To make it fit properly, you need to buy an HVAC relocation panel. They're an OEM BMW part, and I bought mine for £60.

[@MarcosCodas]

@@TwinCam thank you for the quick and thorough reply!

[@neverthar]

Carplay doesn’t detect it’s a RHD vehicle though

[@patrickhankin9903]

We had an Eonon head unit installed in our Mazda 3 (2010) What a complete and utter waste of money. Fritzes itself at least once a week. Been back for repairs so often it ran out of warranty. It is a terrible awful waste of space

[@andrewstahl6916]

Bro it’s like 5 cables and a couple screws wdym repairs 😭😭

[@patrickhankin9903]

About every 5 days it has to be reset with a paper clip. Some days it wants to work. Others not. It will drain th battery with regularity. It changes the button mapping on the steering wheel and a few days later they are back to normal. Waste of money and just crap. @@andrewstahl6916

[@aldo.z3485]

how is it holding up mate?

[@TwinCam]

Well. It hasn't failed me so far.

[@eakmadashma]

Am glad you made this review as when i got my 46 the previous owner installed a dynavin n6 but the touch screen doesnt work on the right side anymore. Have you had any issues yet with the eonon? Also im guessing you sorted out the buttons being reversed as i was looking into getting this and found posted solutions a while ago. Will include it here for anyone that comes across this video anyway: "Go to settings > Factory > password 123456 > knob settings > switch the steering wheel up and down > open"

[@hectorshouse7348]

Do you offer a fitting service?

[@TwinCam]

HA! Absolutely not! If I did, I’d be mad working with such a low level of product quality 😆

[@hectorshouse7348]

@@TwinCam lol👍

[@anakinskywalker4113]

Why oh why do you need to go & spoil a perfectly good BMW.? You do not need apple car play or android auto. A BMW is the ultimate driving machine it is not meant to have all these distractions in it. I personally hate it when people fit aftermarket head units. It spoils the car for me. Also as a mechanic I hate it even more when people bugger up the installation & I have to start pulling the dashboard to bits to fix it. It’s pointless if you ask me, it take away the joy of driving.

[@TwinCam]

That’s fine. You do you. But this isn’t your car, and having only CDs to play with and a phone scruffily mounted in an air vent for sat nav is not a good look. Difference is - I use this car everyday. It’s fantastic, but it is a tool, and a tool must perform its function. This eases that function. Secondly, it’s a strange allegation to make considering this kit comes with wiring adaptors pre-installed. If someone buggers up installation, I don’t think they’re in a fit condition to drive a car.

[@TwinCam]

Oh, and if you’re so distracted by it, turn it off. It’s as simple as pressing that little power button in the top left corner.

[@anakinskywalker4113]

@@TwinCam You enjoy your car how you want. I’m just giving my personal view Hopefully no offence taken.

[@anakinskywalker4113]

@@TwinCam also as I am a mechanic by trade I see time & time again many people stuff up installing these sort of head units. I am in Australia so we kinda do things differently down here compared to the uk. Most people don’t follow the instructions.

[@arthurdardalis]

For me the poor fit negates any possible advantage stated because the car is a “tool” used everyday. There are head units that have all these features and look exactly the same as the factory unit, I know that there are available for VW Group cars

[@laptopdragon]

way too much glare on the screen and zero knobs or anything is a negative.

[@afrousel4731]

Not OE 👎

[@e28forever30]

So what? Time moves on.

[@stanelder9995]

Interesting - I have been looking into something like this for my 2011 E90 (non I-Drive) as well. I want an "OEM-like" solution, as I also hate the tacked-on look of most aftermarket solutions for these cars. There is a good Florida-based KZbin channel called Five Star Car Stereo that features very professional, high-quality car audio installations step-by-step: youtube.com/@FiveStarCarStereoIncClearwater