Somebody here posted an NMNA Becker Europa II that was listed on eBay several months back. I waited till the end of the auction and then made an offer below the asking price and the seller accepted. (Yay!) This prompted me to look into options for updating it. The list below applies to many of the Blaupunkts and Beckers. I'm sure it's not exhaustive, they're just what seemed to me like the best options. Going from cheapest to most expensive:
1)
Creative Car Audio external Bluetooth module that plugs into port on back of radio. Upsides: relatively cheap. Receives power from radio and allows use of original tuner. Downside: only adding another input, not upgrading the sound. Availability limited to select Becker and Blaupunkt radios.
2)
Out of Sight Audio external amp and Bluetooth unit. Pretty universal unit with multiple mounting options depending on the hookup. Upsides: works with or without an in-dash radio. Accepts inputs from existing radio (your existing tuner will probably sound the same through the amp, just louder). Modern amp technology and Bluetooth connectivity. Multiple options available. Downsides: finding some place to put an external amp. Needs a separate power supply. Not the tightest radio integration.
3)
Aurora Designs radio conversion. Replace the guts of your radio with modern amp and numerous options. Upsides: in-dash radio remains focus of audio control. Original radio controls mapped to new amp where possible. Many configuration options including FM radio tuner. Self-contained within original radio. Doesn't need its own 12v power source. Downsides: have to ship radio off to Aurora authorized dealer for conversion. Most expensive by far. Not sure how it sounds compared to Out of Sight Audio amp or other external Bluetooth amp options.
I've chosen option 1 for the time being. It doesn't sound great because it's using the Becker's internal amp. I liked the price and the fact that I can still use the tuner and the radio in general without my phone. I love radio as a shared democratic experience (yes, I'm one of those people) so it's important to me. Also once when I was driving my first E9 from Bryan, Texas to Brooklyn, NY by way of St. Louis, MO and State College, PA, I managed to tune in 4 different MLB games in one day on the radio. (I was covering some ground that day.) Will I ever do that again? Probably not. Do I want that option if I do. Yes, irrational as it may be, I do.
I know at least one forum member has gone with option 2 and is happy with it, but I can't recall who it is now.
Not sure if anyone has gone with option 3, but I'm curious about how well it works.
It's funny how personal many of these choices are. It seems like everyone rides the line between originality and performance a little differently, be it drivetrains, tires or radios. Makes it interesting!