ICE install advice

[TW]Fox

[TW]Fox

[TW]Fox

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Joined
17 Oct 2002
Posts
160,203
Right so yes.

New car, rubbish, rubbish stereo. I'd like to sort it out. Had a nice install in the Mondeo which I was happy with but unfortunately the speakers dont fit the 530i and the sub is a little too small to be effective in the seperate sealed boot. So that install is staying in the Mondy where it will continue to give good service. Moving on..

I intend to retain the use of my Sony CDX-M9900 head unit, so I need to buy...

Some Speakers
An amplifier
A sub.

I've got no idea what i am doing. I had Alpine SPS-171A's running off the head unit before, and they sounded great but high volume was lacking. This time, I'd like to run both the speakers and the sub off a half decent amp. But I'm a clueless numpty so I'd like you guys to guide me!

What do I buy? How much should I spend? Ideally, I want to spend about 250-300 quid tops really..

E39 specific stuff - can I buy a set of decent components and simply stick the tweeter where the factory one currently is in the door? I note I have 6 speakers in the front, though.. surely there isn't two tweaters per speaker?

I don't want to take up the entire boot with a huge chavvy sub, just something discreet and subtle which will sound decent.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
 
[TW]Fox said:
I note I have 6 speakers in the front, though.. surely there isn't two tweaters per speaker?
Click to expand...

Can't give any useful advice, as i'm as clueless as you :p

But surely you can buy a bass, a midrange and a tweeter speaker?
 
[TW]Fox said:
I note I have 6 speakers in the front, though.. surely there isn't two tweaters per speaker?
Click to expand...

Likely that this is a tweeter and a mid-range in the door, then another midrange in the footwell like in the Z4.
 
NickXX said:
Sony sound on top amp.
Infinity component front speakers.
Infinity coaxial rear speakers.
Infinity Basslink sub.

Job done.
Click to expand...

That is what I would do ^. NickXX's sounded pretty damn good when we went for that drive on the RR. Definitely didn't sound stock!
 
Sure I can't tempt you away from that Sony HU Fox?

The Pioneer DEH-P80MP I bought to replace my budget DEH-P3600MP absolutely blows me away. My front Infinity components can play louder, deeper and with more detail than they ever could with the 3600.

If you're going to get decent comps, I'd also look into using sound deadening material. Even some of the cheapy Dynamat stuff between the speaker and door skin will help.

I have mine set up like this and thought I was going to miss my subwoofer when I sold it. Suprisingly, I haven't... and my doors rattle like there's no tomorrow.

I'd expect the BMW to be built slightly better and thus not have any problems with rattles from speakers.

Have a look at DLS and Rainbow components up front. Pretty good prices but fantastic quality. Either get the Pioneer headunit I suggested or amp them whilst keeping your Sony. No need for a sub if they're installed correctly :)
 
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Do it properly and get an AVIC. Ought to cover most of it by selling your Sony and PDA set up
icon14.gif
. Much classier image.
 
[TW]Fox said:
I don't want to take up the entire boot with a huge chavvy sub, just something discreet and subtle which will sound decent.
Click to expand...
That may be hard with your budget, as cheaper sub solutions will either be a huge simple MDF box or something that looks like a futuristic rocket launcher.

Could you consider/afford to spend the current budget on an amp, mid-range/tweeter setup (inc cables, fittings, and harness for the m-sport wheel) and then at a later date put some additional cash towards a custom bass setup (enclosure, sub, and amp)?

NickXX said:
Sony sound on top amp.
Click to expand...
Have you got one of these, how do you find it?

I had a listen to one a while back and it seemed to have now depth, CDs sounded like a radio broadcast. Then again it could just have been the install I heard.
 
GSXRMovistar said:
Have you got one of these, how do you find it?

I had a listen to one a while back and it seemed to have now depth, CDs sounded like a radio broadcast. Then again it could just have been the install I heard.
Click to expand...

I got mine on eBay for £31! They tend to appear weekly, so fairly easy to get hold of.

Mine made a big difference to my system. Not as good as the Mk5 Golf that I came from, but a big difference noneless. I then upgraded the rear speakers for some Infinity Coaxials, and fitted an Infinity Basslink Sub to the boot.

Now it sounds like it should have done when it left the factory :D
 
for a beemer... go for the boring looks of the Nakaminchi (sp?) link it to a good set of speakers and sub, sounds great, looks like a standard HU too..

or find some diamond audio speakers on the land of the 'bay, nice amp and sub, job done
 
Fox, How are you gonna install a DIN unit into your dash?

I would think you will have to re-locate the computer.

Tips for removing all the audio and computer stuff, if you want to investigate whats what.

1). Pop off the volume knob. Insert an allen key into the hole below. turn and pull. The whole unit will swing out in the direction you are pulling.

2). You will see 2 torx screws under the cassette unit in the center. IIRC you don't have to remove these.

3). There are 2 more torx screws either side of this unit. Undo them untill the whole unit pulls out.

Here you will find a standard DIN sized unit, with some sort of ISO plug, and CD changer plugs.

Look in the boot where the CD player is, you may have the BMW amp. You can tell it is the amp as it has fins either side.
 
You would have to remove hald the interior to route all the cables etc out of view, esp the door cards to replace the speakers and route cable to the amplifier if you store in the boot of the car with the sub.

I bought a £200 kit from CAD with JBL GTO 4 channel, and a set of Infinity components. all round plus a 12" sub. The Subs not great, and neither are the speakers... but then I have heard £10,000 systems so thats howI make that judgement. But on the whole Infinity speakers are good value, the subs not so great and the JBL amp broke once so I'd go for something different.

From what I can tell ICE wise, you can't go too far wrong with Pioneer.
 
Fox, have a look at the e39 forums over at roadfly.org Quite a few people there have done stereo upgrades.
The main problem with the E39 stereo is that the speakers are absolutely rubbish. Unfortunately, the midrange speaker which sits at the top of the doors is a really odd size and I only know of one manufacturer (MB Quart) that does a replacement. You are looking at a few quid too. What most people do is disconnect the tweeter (in the mirror housing) and replace the low range and midrange with a 2 speaker MB Quart system.

As far as a sub is concerned. Get the 2 x 10" subs from an E39 M5. They fit up under the parcel shelf and sound amazing when coupled to a decent amp.
 
How about a set of Rainbows up front with an mdf baffle to make them fit if they are an odd size.

Amp wise you really cannot go wrong with a JBL 75.4, for about £100 you get a LOT of bang for the buck.

Depending on what type of music you listen to, probably a 10" in a sealed box which won't take up a lot of space.

If in doubt pop over to talkaudio.co.uk and ask them and they should sort you out a decent inexpensive install :)
 
R0551, I take it you're Rossi from TA?

You're the only person to mention an MDF baffle, and only TA people would even think of mentioning such a thing :D

Scooby, I've heard quite bad things about the Nakamichi car audio gear. Overpriced and underperforming are words that come to mind. Shame really :(
 
agw_01 said:
Scooby, I've heard quite bad things about the Nakamichi car audio gear. Overpriced and underperforming are words that come to mind. Shame really :(
Click to expand...

Interesting i've not look at the Naka gear for a while but last time i read they raved about the sound / build quality, lack of flashing lights was a bonus but the sound was clinical so not to everyones likings.
 
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