How to Change a Radio on a BMW 1995 525i

1. Lift the hood of the BMW 525i and disconnect the negative battery cable from the negative lead post with a 10 mm wrench.
2. Pry the trim panels below the upper dash panel away from the dashboard with a trim panel removal tool.
3. Remove the two screws on either side of the stereo unit with a Phillips screwdriver.
4. Slide a flat screwdriver into the crevice between the trim panel of the dashboard and the stereo unit (on both sides), and lift upward to engage a spring-loaded retaining mechanism.
5. Pull the stereo unit forward (away from the dashboard) to reveal the stereo mounting dock screws.
6. Remove the two screws on either side of the stereo with the Phillips screwdriver.
7. Pull the stereo from the dashboard, and disconnect the wiring from the rear of the unit. Pull the antenna wire from the back of the stereo.
8. Insert a BMW aftermarket faceplate adapter into the vacant opening of the stereo mounting dock. Pull the stereo wiring from the stereo mounting dock to the front of the faceplate adapter.
9. Connect the stereo wiring to a wiring harness adapter. Connect the wiring harness adapter leads to the back of the aftermarket stereo. Connect the antenna cable to the back of the aftermarket stereo.
10. Slide the aftermarket stereo into the faceplate adapter. Replace the stereo mounting dock screws into either side of the stereo mounting dock with the Phillips screwdriver.
11. Replace the dashboard trim panels by hand. Press along the length of the panels to snap them into place on the dashboard.
12. Place the negative battery cable onto the negative lead post of the battery, and tighten the cable to the post with the 10 mm wrench.