Upgrade Stereo

[nebular18]

HI there, I have a 2001 BMW 325i and was thinking of upgrading the sound system. Anyone out there know of any recommandations besides the Harmon Kardon one from BMW? Also, will the installation of aftermarket speakers etc 'spoil' the interior of the car? Thanks!

[328isRob]

a/d/s, MBQ, they both work well.

[sq_man]

Go with the aftermarket system. If you have a good installer, the
interior will be immaculate when they are done. You may have to pay for it, though. Don't go to a electronics-superstore, they may damage the car.

I would recommend upgrading the front speakers and amplification first (the stock and Harmon Kardon amps are not powerful enough for clean, accurate sound) and then move up from there.

I have an entirely custom system in my 325i and it looks EXACTLY the
same, but sounds infinitely better. I have MBQuart 5.25" mid/tweets in the front (which fit, with a little work, into the stock holes) and 6.5" coaxials in the back. Both look perfect -the interior is indistinguishable from stock (which is good also for security) Amps (a/d/s) are in the trunk.

Here's a good guide to upgrade. This is good stuff, and may be more than you want, but it gives you an idea of system architectures:

http://www.adst.com/pages/adspdfs/bmwe46.pdf

[JFischel]

Several people have noted they have upgraded their sound systems in the car. Does this include a new head unit? I have a 2001 325i with the HK system and I've found it to be very good. Just curious to hear how a new head unit would affect the look of the dash, is there something that actually fits the space?

.jaf.

[sq_man]

Good question. I used the stock head unit at the recommendation of
the install shop. This is used only as a controller, though, (maybe pre-amp)
with an Alpine CD changer in the truck- the interface to the stock head unit required an adapter card. (even though the BMW changer is an Alpine! how do they do that?!) The tuner still works fine, too.

This works out great - all controls are as if the car's standard system were in place - just sounds much much better. Very stealth.

BMW does a good job with the signal and speaker wiring (I think its twisted pair 12 or 14 gauge), so I even kept that. And the doors are well damped with the factory material, so they were not modified.
(though I have some 80Hz-ish resonances when its cold)

Good luck.

[Das]

I am also actively researching for the same. Just added an Alpine 200 amp with Helix 160 speakers at the back. The sound improved a lot - but still not there. Too bad stock harman cardon does not come with line out - hence choice of amps limited - must have step down from speaker terminals as amp input. If u want to retain the steering controls, you cant chnage the stereo either.

My next step would be replace the amp with one that has same 4 speaker out but with builtin equalizer - the treble needs a boost. Meanwhile check out the following http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/stereo/blau/blau.htm

[nebular18]

Hmm thanks guys for your comments. Will be looking around for good deals. Kekeke
Hey Das you from Singapore? Me too, but i'm currently studying in Canada.

[nebular18]

Hmm thanks guys for your comments. Will be looking around for good deals. Kekeke
Hey Das you from Singapore? Me too, but i'm currently studying in Canada.

[GARGANTUA///M3]

Originally posted by nebular18
, will the installation of aftermarket speakers etc 'spoil' the interior of the car? Thanks!

Not if you have someone who knows what they are doing. I'd be more concerned about the extra weight of the subs, amps and stuff.

[freniv]

Hey nebular18,
I too am looking into upgrading my system. I've got a 95 325iC and the stock system sounds like crap. I'm curious.... did you make any changes to your system yet? If so what did you go with and how does it sound. I'm in Toronto

[nobee]

Yes, it seems to me that if you want ot replace the head unit, you're going to mess us the clean interior lines of the cockpit. Does anyone have a picture of a head unit installation in a 2001/2002 3-series?

Oh, and if you're into digital music, go to www.phatnoise.com
they have a 20-30GB MP3 module that directly interfaces with the stock stereo. Only limfac is the $$$.

-nobee

[nebular18]

Hi frenvie,

mine is a 2001 model. Haven't done anything yet. Still looking around. What about you?

[nobee]

Has anyone seen a 2001-2002 3-series model with an after-market head unit? Even looking through magazines, I can't recall seeing an late 3-series with any after-market head unit...
-nobee

[freniv]

Nebular,
I haven't done anything yet. I'm about to get an alarm/starter put in. I picked up a Clifford Solaris. I'm getting it installed on Jan 8. After I finish paying this off I'm looking into getting a stereo put in.

[Das]

Finally the sound is better. I hooked up the stock head unit with Alpine F307 4 channel amp which accepts speaker level inputs and connected them to Helix speakers at back and front. The sound is much much better! The FM is excellent, Cds okay, though mid bass still needs a boost.

Next I am going to replace the rear 6.5" Helix with JBL's and put in an Alpine ERAH190 equaliser to get in the low bass and treble. This eq accepts speaker level inputs. Let you know how it improves.

I also agree with the chaps that get a pro to do the wiring - too complicated dis-assembly of front door - you may get it yourself, but some scratches are inevitable! Specially the tweeter housing in well inside the trim and some panels need disassembly in a systematic manner.