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Got one of those in the FTO. May nick it and see what it looks like. Probably is the huge blank expanse of cheap plastic which appears when you install a single DIN head unit.
I need some ICE
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Got one of those in the FTO. May nick it and see what it looks like. Probably is the huge blank expanse of cheap plastic which appears when you install a single DIN head unit.
Soldato
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can you not fit harmon kardon. the sub on mine sits under the parcel shelf
I really can't imagine Fox getting handly with a hacksaw, glass fibre, etc to redesign the fascia
Can you get an adaptor for a double din head unit?
No, E39 didnt get Harmon Kardon.
Is there enough space (and blanking plate) for double din setup?
How is availability of original stuff. Shouldn't there be ef loads of touch screens from written off beemers on ebay, or is it sort of like with VAG "scene" - plenty available but also plenty of people willing to throw stupid money for anything flashy for their bottom spec models?
How is availability of original stuff. Shouldn't there be ef loads of touch screens from written off beemers on ebay, or is it sort of like with VAG "scene" - plenty available but also plenty of people willing to throw stupid money for anything flashy for their bottom spec models?
Keep the standard head unit, buy a Soundgate line output converter:
http://www.soundgate.com/index.php?request=category.index&categoryid=5
You can add any amp and speaker combination you want then, and your dash won't look ridiculous like any e39 with an aftermarket stereo does.
A few people on BMWland have used those Soundgate units, with great success.
http://www.soundgate.com/index.php?request=category.index&categoryid=5
You can add any amp and speaker combination you want then, and your dash won't look ridiculous like any e39 with an aftermarket stereo does.
A few people on BMWland have used those Soundgate units, with great success.
It costs a fortune (~ £1000) and is a big job, as you have to strip out a lot of the interior and run a large wiring loom from the front to the rear of the car. The screen at the front of a nav fitted e39 is a dumb unit, with the actual radio gubbins in the boot. Also you need a sat nav computer as these control and display the menus.
But anyway, he wants an improvement in sound, which that wouldn't provide - it would be just as 'bad' as his Business radio he currently has.
FYI
Ive got a 12" JBL sub powered by a 4channel amp, the amp is also powering my front comps. Does your BMW have rear speakers fitted on the parcel shelf? My Accord TypeR boot is also sealed and i was a little disappointed when i first powered on my sub. I had to remove my rear speakers to allow some bass into the cabin. i refitted the speaker grills to hide the holes. If your parcel shelf is speakerless it maybe worth getting a more powerful sub/amp or 2 x subs.
My JBL sub was 1000w MAX / 250W RMS being powered by a 250W RMS amp.
Ive got a 12" JBL sub powered by a 4channel amp, the amp is also powering my front comps. Does your BMW have rear speakers fitted on the parcel shelf? My Accord TypeR boot is also sealed and i was a little disappointed when i first powered on my sub. I had to remove my rear speakers to allow some bass into the cabin. i refitted the speaker grills to hide the holes. If your parcel shelf is speakerless it maybe worth getting a more powerful sub/amp or 2 x subs.
My JBL sub was 1000w MAX / 250W RMS being powered by a 250W RMS amp.
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It does, yes. They look 6x9 sized.
Soldato
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To get something sounding half decent you really need to change the headunit. Yes after market units aren't as flush looking as the stock BMW kit but will sound a million times better.
But you really don't, there are plenty of people on bmwland who have excellent systems with a line output converter. Of course chucking in a cheap aftermarket head unit is probably the most cost effective way of doing it but it's by no means the best way. After seeing E46's with standard DIN head units fitted fitted I decided straight away I didn't want to go that route, and E39s look even worse.
You only have to chuck in one of those sound on top amps to realise that the actual OEM head unit isn't that bad, it's just not putting out enough power.
Soldato
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Think we have discussed this in previous threads, I've listened to a couple of setups using those sound on top amps and they just didn't cut it in my opinion (No depth of sound and very poor range). The problem with using the line out on the original kit just means you are amplifing a bad source, you need to have good quality from the start before you start processing/amping it.
Fox, I think something like the Pioneer P55BT would look nice in the BMW.
You can customise the colour of the display aswell to make it match the colour of the dials
You have silver trim in your car, right? I really think this would look right at home.
You can customise the colour of the display aswell to make it match the colour of the dials
You have silver trim in your car, right? I really think this would look right at home.
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Soldato
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[TW]Fox;10521434 said:
Can't you just get the aftermarket fascia housing and spray it to match the silver trim? I've seen in done on several installs.