Anyone know about upgrading bmws oem ??

[gizlaroc]

I have changed my bmw which had a bussiness system for a touring that has the factory sat-nav, tv etc.

It is the worst sounding system i have ever had , and I am not one for being into car audio, well I diidn't think I was till I heard this, now I am going to have to get into it.

I want to change the stock speakers and keep the nav, tv etc.

I am after calming it all down, the bottom end must finish around 95hz and the tweeter is awful at normal listening levels.

I have been rcommoned Genisis components in the front at £230 that are 5 1/4" and then their 6 1/2" components (same price) in the rears as these are supposed to be very smooth.and they fit stock locations.
For £450 they had better be, and then he said I could add the Genesis 4 channel amp at £299 at a later date.

when i asked about adding it he said they use a line level converter, but surley it is the pre amp that sounds so sh|te in the first place ???? or am I missing somthing.

what other options have i got ??? any help would be appreciated greatly as I have this week off so would like to do something if possible before I am back out and about in the car again.

someone else said add some diamond audio components in the front , coaxcials in the back or even 6x9s as the touring can take 6x9 where the factory grille is already, and add the amp if need be, thsi was about £250 all in. and then whatever the amp is.


please help :(

[Bernard Barnett]

I went through all this. My bm had the top-whack Harman Kardon system and still sounded awful. I talked to all the specialist ICE companies and they reckoned there wasn't anything they could do when the sat-nav was fitted. Better speakers are NOT the solution, neither is an add-on amp as the source will still be the original equipment. Sorry to say this, but if you're serious about this the only solution is to change your car. I did as good sound is very important to me - I spend up to three hours in the car every day.

[gizlaroc]

I have heard a bmw that has the factory screen in place with upgraded speakers amps etc. and it sounded good, but never thought to ask him who did the work.

I have spoke to StreetEffectz.com in NY and they seem to be clued up on bmw ice.
said it isnt the easiest upgrade, but can be done with excellent results if you know where to take the line outs and dont mind a bit of hacking.


Cant change the car, changed the last one after 11 months because SHE wanted a dog and there was no way I was letting a dog climb into a 2 door with cream hide ;)

so gone to a boring old touring diesel, they threw some slippers and a pipe in with it, which was nice :grin:

[lynx]

I'm unable to pass comment on your specific needs, however it's unusual to find 5¼'' up front and 6'' to the rear.
This may interest you, for speakers http://www.soundgallery.co.uk/live/specials_incar.html.
Genesis are highly regarded for the amplification and would likely be of a better standard than the V12 Alpine ( I have one ).

If the link is invalid :confused: click on specials - incar. There are Infinity components and a V12 Alpine amp on offer.

[gizlaroc]

thanks for that

yeah it does seem strange, bit that is what BMW fit as the oem.

spoke to somone else today and he recommended a decent amp with some nice components in the front and just a sub in the rear for a bit of depth and to fill the soundstage. which is pretty much what the guys @ streeteffectz said too.

So all though I didnt want a sub it looks like this is going to be the way I go.

One thing is, I am a bit worried that this is going to cost more and sound better than I need.
In my last car I had a blaupunkt MD head unit with some basic infinity speakers and this was fine, I am not after the sort of quality I expect when I am sitting down at home. Just want better than is in there now.
Everyones idea of satisfactory is different, and I am sure that I could get a satisfactory sound for less than the £750+ that is being banded about.

I don't need to be blown away when listening to talk sport ;)

[lynx]

The advice you are getting seems competant.The secret is keep it simple.Comps up front ( or nice coaxials - easier to fit ) and a sub.Some installers will prefer 2 x 10'' subs to a single 12'' although thats a different debate. As always, no matter what your budget is, double it and you will be nearer the final cost. :eek:

[gizlaroc]

Originally posted by lynx
no matter what your budget is, double it and you will be nearer the final cost. :eek:

I'm bang on target then :p

[Mahtey]

Hey,

You mention 6x9's - where can you fit these?

You might want to consider something along the lines of....

Focal (JM Lab) Access components - 5 1/4" are about £125

Genesis 6x9 Subs - New line, not sure if they're out yet £150 (pair)

Rockford Fosgate Power 551x - 4 Channel amplifier

This would give you 70wrms to the focal from the front Channels

Then 275wrms to the Subs.

The amp is stable into a 4 ohm load when bridged so you'll want a pair of the 8ohm subs (wired in parallel and you'll get a 4 ohm load).

This will be an excellent system - and whilst there is no rear speaker upgrade a chepish set of Focal Access Co-axials could be added and run of the Sat Nav Units internal amp for some rear fill.

You'll be hard pushed to find a discount on either the Focal or Genesis Speakers, however you might be able to find the Rockford amp for £10-£15 less.

Another amp worth considering is the Phoenix Gold Octane R8.04 at £329 - but I think the Rockford offers better value.

Hope that helps,

Matthew