Alpine iLX-705E46 - CarPlay/Android Auto Head Unit for BMW E46

Alpine introduces the 3rd generation Alpine Style system for the BMW E46, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and (wired) Android Auto compatibility. This new generation also includes many improvements, such as much higher screen resolution, 2 USB ports, as well as a built-in Class-D amplifier and Hi-Res Audio capabilities.

If you look for a high-performance media system for your BMW E46 that includes all the latest features, cutting-edge media compatibilities and killer sound quality, the iLX-705E46 is for you.

Enjoy wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired) compatibility, DAB+ digital radio, USB video playback, Hi-Res Audio playback, Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming and much more with this amazing Head Unit.

Bring exceptionally good sound quality into your vehicle: the Alpine iLX-705E46 is among the world’s first Head Units featuring a built-in Class-D amplifier and has a wide array of professional sound tuning functions, such as digital X-overs, a Parametric EQ, digital time correction and much more. It includes all required parts for installation in your E46 (in some cases additional accessories are required – please read the text below for details).

Product Features

Designed for BMW 3 E46

The 7-inch (17.8cm) high-resolution WXGA display with 1280 x 720 pixels smoothly integrates into your BMW 3 E46’s dashboard and allows full operation of the system via touch-screen technology and features the latest video technology for outstanding picture clarity, contrast and resolution. The unit comes fully assembled and includes all needed installation accessories for E46s with prior OEM navigation radio (Navigation Business).

If the navigation computer is located in the trunk (Navigation Professional), several radio cables need to be extended to the dashboard. This can be simply done by using Alpine’s KWE-E46EXT. If your car is equipped with an original BMW cassette tape or CD radio, a few additional components are required to move the air condition control panel. All details can be found in the installation manual. If you car is equipped with an original Harman Kardon sound system, an additional 3rd party interface adapter is required.

Steering Wheel Control Buttons

The Alpine system connects to your steering wheel control buttons. This means you do not lose this convenient feature when upgrading to Alpine and you will have full control over volume, phone, audio track forward/backward and many other commands.

7-inch HD WXGA Display

The iLX-705E46 features the best 7” display we ever put into a 2DIN unit. The 7-inch HD touch-screen display features a resolution of 1280 x 720p (WXGA) and features stunningly vibrant colors and contrast - making icons, menus and visual content even more crisp in your dash. Especially when displaying small text or similar on navigation maps, you will welcome this high-res screen.

Wireless Apple CarPlay

The iLX-705E46 “Works with Apple CarPlay” wirelessly and lets iPhone users make and receive calls, access and write text messages, play music, and get direction in a way that allows them to stay focused on the road. Apple CarPlay is accessed through the capacitive touchscreen or the mic button to activate Siri voice control. Due to the WiFi connection, you can keep your iPhone in your pocket and do not need to plug it in all the time (except for charging).

Android Auto Compatibility

Android Auto allows you to use hundreds of useful smartphone apps with your Alpine system (wired connection). There are many popular navigation apps available, such as Google maps, Sygic, Waze, Magic Earth – just to name a few. Enjoy music streaming with Amazon Music, Spotify, Deezer and others and stay connected with WhatsApp and other popular messenger apps – right from your Alpine screen.

2x USB Ports

While the iLX-705E46 is mech-less (no built-in CD/DVD drive), you still have plenty of entertainment options. 2 USB ports located on the back of the unit allow you for example to connect one mobile device for charging, while the other USB port is used to plug in a USB stick or hard drive to access audio and video files.

Bluetooth Hi-Res Audio Streaming

Wireless Bluetooth connection to your smartphone or Bluetooth-enabled digital audio player is also possible, thanks to the built-in high-end LDAC standards. With LDAC, you can stream your audio content, including high-resolution (Hi-Res) audio, at a maximum bit rate of 990 kbps via Bluetooth. This makes this Alpine Head Unit ideal for hi-res audio and streaming services with high sound quality. The transmission bit rate is constantly adjusted with this technology to ensure a stable connection even in harsh environments, depending on the network conditions.

Features & Specifications

Screen

• Screen Size: 7-inch Capacitive WXGA
• Number of Picture Elements: 2,764,800 pixels (1280 x 3 x 720)
• Illumination System: White LED Backlighting
• Effective Number of Picture Elements: 99.99%
• Colour System: NTSC, PAL

Max Power Output Ratings

• Max Power Output: 4x 50 W

Radio / DAB Tuner

• FM Tuning Range: 87.5 - 108.0 MHz
• AM Tuning Range: 531 - 1,602 kHz
• DAB band III: 174 – 240 MHz
• Alternate Channel Selectivity: 80 dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 65 dB
• DAB audio format: DAB/MPEG 2, DAB+/AAC, DMB Profile 1/BSAC/DMB profile 2/AAC

WiFi

• Reception Frequency: IEEE 802.11 B/g/n (2.4 GHz)
• Channels: 1 – 13 ch (2.4 GHz)
• Security Protocols: WPA3/WPA2-PSK (TKIP, AES)

USB

• USB Requirements: USB 2.0
• USB 1: data port / 2,400 mA (Mass Storage Class)
• USB 2: charging port / 1,500 mA (CDP support)
• USB Class: Mass Storage Class, Play From Device
• File System: FAT16 / FAT32 / exFAT
• FLAC, MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, APE Decoding
• Video Playback: MP4, MOV, FLV, MKV compatible
• Supported Video Coding: MPEG-4/H.264 (MPEG-4/AVC)/MPEG-1/MPEG-2
• Number of Channels: 2-Channel (Stereo)
• Frequency Response: 5 - 40 kHz ±1 dB *Frequency Response may differ depending on the encoder software/bit rate
• Total Harmonic Distortion (at 1 kHz): 0.005%
• DynamicRange(at 1kHz): 95 dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 95 dB

GPS / Glonass

• GPS / Glonass compatible navigation antenna included
• GPS frequency: 1575.42 +/- 1.023 MHz
• Reception sensitivity (search): - 136 dB max

BLUETOOTH®

• BLUETOOTH® Version: Bluetooth V4.2
• Output Power: +4 dBm Max. (Power class 2)
• HFP (Hands Free Profile)
• OPP (Object Push Profile)
• PBAP (Phone Book Access Profile)
• HSP (Head Set Profile)
• A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
• AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile)
• SPP (Serial Port Profile)
• Supports LDAC Audio Codec

Sound Tuning

• Subwoofer Level Adjustment: 0 to +15
• Subwoofer Phase Setting: 0° or 180°
• BASS ENGINE SQ: 5 Modes, Level 0 to +6
• For detailed sound setting bands and frequencies please see the owner’s manual PDF below in the SUPPORT section

HDMI Section

• Input Format 720p / 480p / VGA

General

• Power Requirement: 14.4 V. DC (11-16V allowable)
• Pre Output Voltage (Before Clipping): 6 V / 10k ohms

Dimensions

• iLX-705E46 fits for BMW 3-Series E46
• Chassis Size (W x H x D) mm: 178 x 50 x 150 mm
• Display Size (W x H x D) mm: 171 x 96 x 18 mm

Further Information

Alpine iLX-705E46 - Owners Manual (PDF)

Alpine iLX-705E46 - Installation Manual (PDF)