BMW Instalation Advice
Thread Starter
0 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1
Hey, I just bought a 2004 BMW 320i and am looking to install a full system that does not alter the look of the interior (i.e. I want to keep th factory deck). I was wondering if there is anything I need to know about my car that would aid or prevent instalation myself? [img]graemlins/cf2.gif[/img]
He is looking towards adding front and rear speakers (maybe just fronts), a sub, and amp(s).
I want to help him out with the installation and finding the equipment, but are there any issues with this car that I should know about? I have heard that BMVs use galvanized steel for the body and that this creates grounding problems. Do you have to run a grounding wire back to the battery, or are there special grounding points that can be used?
I want to help him out with the installation and finding the equipment, but are there any issues with this car that I should know about? I have heard that BMVs use galvanized steel for the body and that this creates grounding problems. Do you have to run a grounding wire back to the battery, or are there special grounding points that can be used?
look here http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums...6064195-3.html
this is my old car that i miss
http://www.roadfly.org/bmw/gallery/i...26165,1;-64,4;
this is my old car that i miss
http://www.roadfly.org/bmw/gallery/i...26165,1;-64,4;
if you are useing to much power the bmw will do things
i was useings a 10f cap
use the ski hole
the roadfly site is good for what you need
what sizes are your speakers 5 1/4 or 6 1/2 the bmw i had 5 1/4 just use the fronts the sub will fill the back and if you use the back set you have to much back fill
in my new SUV i do not need the 5 1/4 focals i have ,MB-Qs or the 10f cap
i was useings a 10f cap
use the ski hole
the roadfly site is good for what you need
what sizes are your speakers 5 1/4 or 6 1/2 the bmw i had 5 1/4 just use the fronts the sub will fill the back and if you use the back set you have to much back fill
in my new SUV i do not need the 5 1/4 focals i have ,MB-Qs or the 10f cap
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,649
Caps for the most part are completely awesome... unless you get the ones with the voltage readouts on the top. Those ones for sure will make your system sound much better ............ and make your car go a lot faster......... and you will pick up chicks, the hot ones like off the new Molson Canadian commercial. [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]
[ March 21, 2005, 08:30 AM: Message edited by: dawgsbreakfast ]
[ March 21, 2005, 08:30 AM: Message edited by: dawgsbreakfast ]
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,783
^^^Tom...you need some psyciatric help.
Ok, I'll bite.
The factory BMW stereo system (weather premium or regular) uses whats called a balanced differential output from the head unit. It uses a very high output voltage (it's almost 13 volts), coupled with a truly balanced signal line, and...(gasps for air) differential noise canceling circuitry. This makes the output direct from the deck incompatible with almost all aftermarket amplifiers. Stinger makes a device called the SVEN4 (look here http://peripheralelectronics.com/2002/loc.asp )that is able to convert this signal into something usable by an amplifier or signal processor. I am told (but haven't confirmed this with hardware) that Audio Control devices like the 3.1 and 4.1i can recieve this type of signal direct from the BMW source unit....but it's at your own risk if you want to try it.
With regard to the grounding:
I've found no issues with using the car body to do this. I currently have all my grounds routed directly to the battery, but I have tried my 2000 watt subwoofer amp grounded to the chassis and had no problems. My advice though, is get a good negative distribution block, and ground everything back to the battery.(It's in the trunk, so that shouldn't be hard) In a car like a BMW, it's a shame to cut or drill into it just to find a ground. (ha ha...look who's talking)
Talking about power:
The E46 chassis required a bit of juice to run all it's widgets and gadgets. As a result, BMW has installed a beefy alternator. (135 amps) It even has a factory ram air system that routes air through a snorkel mounted low in the bumper to the rear of the alternator where air is drawn in to cool the rectifiers. In a vehicle like the 320, there are slightly fewer power consuming goodies available than in my 330Ci. So I think you should at least have as good luck with your alternator as I have.(I've currently got just over 3000 watts on tap...but...I do have 2 Optima yellow top batteries.)
For amplifiers, I would visit your local dealer and let them help you with a better selection than what I can recomend myself online. Despite the moddest mountain of amps in my car, I'm a firm believer in quality over quantity. 50 watts each for the fronts, and rears is a good starting point. 200 to 300 watts is plenty for a quality subwoofer in a good box. Anything more is
excess in my opinion. (But we all dip into the excessive sometimes
)
Most aftermarket speakers are going to be difficult to mount in the factory BMW locations without modifying the interior panels. There are a few exceptions, in that there are speakers available specifically to fit into the factory E46 locations. This route is by far the most recomendable...as many on this board have heard of the huge efforts I have gone through chopping up my car to make stuff fit.
Here's what I'd recomend you look into to save a few headaches.
http://car.rainbow-audio.de/products...in=12&kfz=0203
Rainbow makes some of the most exclusive car audio speakers in the world. That know how (and german engineering I might add) get's used in every product that they make.
Your nearest dealer for Rainbow is Canadian Show Car.
With regard to subs... there are a plethora available that can easily suite your needs. A ported box is going to give you the most bang for the buck in this department.
Adam
Ok, I'll bite.
The factory BMW stereo system (weather premium or regular) uses whats called a balanced differential output from the head unit. It uses a very high output voltage (it's almost 13 volts), coupled with a truly balanced signal line, and...(gasps for air) differential noise canceling circuitry. This makes the output direct from the deck incompatible with almost all aftermarket amplifiers. Stinger makes a device called the SVEN4 (look here http://peripheralelectronics.com/2002/loc.asp )that is able to convert this signal into something usable by an amplifier or signal processor. I am told (but haven't confirmed this with hardware) that Audio Control devices like the 3.1 and 4.1i can recieve this type of signal direct from the BMW source unit....but it's at your own risk if you want to try it.
With regard to the grounding:
I've found no issues with using the car body to do this. I currently have all my grounds routed directly to the battery, but I have tried my 2000 watt subwoofer amp grounded to the chassis and had no problems. My advice though, is get a good negative distribution block, and ground everything back to the battery.(It's in the trunk, so that shouldn't be hard) In a car like a BMW, it's a shame to cut or drill into it just to find a ground. (ha ha...look who's talking)
Talking about power:
The E46 chassis required a bit of juice to run all it's widgets and gadgets. As a result, BMW has installed a beefy alternator. (135 amps) It even has a factory ram air system that routes air through a snorkel mounted low in the bumper to the rear of the alternator where air is drawn in to cool the rectifiers. In a vehicle like the 320, there are slightly fewer power consuming goodies available than in my 330Ci. So I think you should at least have as good luck with your alternator as I have.(I've currently got just over 3000 watts on tap...but...I do have 2 Optima yellow top batteries.)
For amplifiers, I would visit your local dealer and let them help you with a better selection than what I can recomend myself online. Despite the moddest mountain of amps in my car, I'm a firm believer in quality over quantity. 50 watts each for the fronts, and rears is a good starting point. 200 to 300 watts is plenty for a quality subwoofer in a good box. Anything more is
excess in my opinion. (But we all dip into the excessive sometimes
)Most aftermarket speakers are going to be difficult to mount in the factory BMW locations without modifying the interior panels. There are a few exceptions, in that there are speakers available specifically to fit into the factory E46 locations. This route is by far the most recomendable...as many on this board have heard of the huge efforts I have gone through chopping up my car to make stuff fit.
Here's what I'd recomend you look into to save a few headaches.
http://car.rainbow-audio.de/products...in=12&kfz=0203
Rainbow makes some of the most exclusive car audio speakers in the world. That know how (and german engineering I might add) get's used in every product that they make.
Your nearest dealer for Rainbow is Canadian Show Car.
With regard to subs... there are a plethora available that can easily suite your needs. A ported box is going to give you the most bang for the buck in this department.
Adam
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,649
I have a 2002 BMW X5 that I did a full system in........ and had no grounding issues either...... ran about 2000 watts off the factory electrical...... no issues. System is no longer in the truck...... or should I say SAV as it's now my wife's daily and she doesn't need or appreciate hi-end audio........ as most of the time she's playing Barney sing alongs and other kiddy garbage that's pretty much driving me nutz. For you married guys...... you'll understand having a kiddies song in you head that just doesn't want to go away......... I luv you, you luv me...... we're all one big happy fam-i-lee....... someone kill me [img]graemlins/banghead.gif[/img]
I need help (?!?!??!) ..... this coming from the guy that pretty much cut up a beautiful piece of German BMW engineering in the pursuit of sonic bliss [img]graemlins/2xblown.gif[/img] LMAO...... I've never done that...... uhmmmmmm aaaaaaah........... rite !!! 
Adam, when you're up in April, I should have the rear deck cut out of the Audi A4 for the IDMAX's. Mooooooor Baaaassssss. When you git old, it has to get louder as you can't hear as well anymore.
[ March 21, 2005, 10:10 AM: Message edited by: dawgsbreakfast ]
I need help (?!?!??!) ..... this coming from the guy that pretty much cut up a beautiful piece of German BMW engineering
in the pursuit of sonic bliss [img]graemlins/2xblown.gif[/img] LMAO...... I've never done that...... uhmmmmmm aaaaaaah........... rite !!! Adam, when you're up in April, I should have the rear deck cut out of the Audi A4 for the IDMAX's. Mooooooor Baaaassssss. When you git old, it has to get louder as you can't hear as well anymore.[ March 21, 2005, 10:10 AM: Message edited by: dawgsbreakfast ]
