ICE Upgrade E89 in progress...

[Boxertwin]

Well after a month of listening to the 'upgraded' 10 speaker system in my S35i, I finally got fed up with it and started calling a few ICE shops. First shop said that he didn't know what to do, but would be happy to pull it all apart and see what's there...

Second said he'd call me back within an hour, when I called him back two hours later, he got annoyed. A third also said he'd call me back and didn't.

Finally I got a decent dealer on the phone, who actually knows the Beemer systems and car is in getting done right now. Got a call this afternoon to say that they didn't think upgrading the 6 inch subs behind the seats to 8's would be suitable ( they can fit btw) because there isn't enough space for the small enclosure to allow air movement. So they are going to fit a 10 inch JL Audio subwoofer into the cubbyhole space and custom build an enclosure with a nice grill.

Up from a 3 way focal system will be going in...all of the system running off a 5 channel JL Audio Amp and set up via an Audison BIT10 Digital Sound Processor with time alignment done and set up on the Audion's Equaliser and using the cross overs built into the unit. Entire car is also being dynamatted.

Should get the car back on Thursday...pics and report to follow... I'm assured that it will sound awesome...

****edited with install pics*****

All done & collected this morning. Overall sound is good, I'll be going back in to fine tune the Audison setup, highs are on the bright side for my taste at the moment, but sound is pretty good. Bass is deep and the soundstage with the Audison time alignment is incredible. I can recommend Audiofile Incar to anyone looking to get decent sound in their Z4.

This is one of the standard 6 inch subwoofers in the Z4 - Audiofile reckoned that they don't have enough space to sound any good - they're the same units fitted into the 3/5 series and can sound better...not great, but better. Original plan was to fit two 8 inch Earthquake subwoofers, but due to the space issue it was changed to a 10 inch JL Audio subwoofer going through the cubbyhole behind the armrest.



Stripped down and Dynamat added...





JL Audio subwoofer fitted










Standard midrange in the door....



Lots of Dynamat going in...



Focal 4 inch midrange in...



Audison Bit 10 going into the boot behind a panel...



JL Audio 5 channel amp going into the same place as the bmw amp...





Focal Tweeters in...



Audison Bit 10 Controller fitted flush into the ashtray...



6.5inch Focal Mid-Bass Units going in...





And all done...



Just to finish it off, the new gear gaiter and gearknob that I ordered was fitted when I got home...@

[Stark]

Very interested to hear how this went.....you looking at £1k for this work?

[metal licker]

Very interesting
Plenty of pics please

[Boxertwin]

Try double that, the actual components are more than 1k.

[Boxertwin]

The ICE Shop are taking plenty of pics of the actual install too, so I will post up after I collect the car back.

[Nismo]

Very interested in this, keep us posted. Good choice on the JL sub

[Oakleyextreme]

If I had the s35i I wouldn't bother and just listen to the engine bark out
Nice one like to see the pics of upgrade

[envy]

sounds nice, but a tad pricey

i upgraded my sound system with an amp and 10inch sub in the boot and that sounds immensely better than standard..... i already had the bits, just cost me £130 to get it installed

[Nismo]

Envy, which processor are you using (presuming you've still got the OEM headunit) ?

[Boxertwin]

Audison Bit 10 is being used as the DSP.

[envy]

Envy, which processor are you using (presuming you've still got the OEM headunit) ?

yes i am using the oem headunit. no idea on what the installers used as the processor. i just literally gave them the sub and amp and they fitted it and charged me £130 and everything works great.

[Nismo]

Audison Bit 10 is being used as the DSP.

nice, I had been looking at the JL Audio one but I'll have to have a read-up on this ine too

[Boxertwin]

Got a few pics sent across this afternoon - picking the car up tomorrow morning.

[Stark]

Wow lots of stripping out......would love to hear how it sounds....

[NeilP]

Great choice of kit!

I'm running something not too dissimilar! (bit10d, hd900/5, hsk165 components and either a pair of 8w3s or a 10w7)

Interested to hear your thoughts on the 10tw3. Been eyeing up one for some time now.

How are you running the 4 channels to the 3 way comps? Bi-amping or bridging?

Nismo, for features, JL's processor unfortunately can't compete with Audison's bit series. Put it simply, specs wise, the cleansweep is old technology and for similar money.