Aftermarket audio upgrade PLAN 1

E

EdP

Member

• May 17, 2009

• #1

Who is planning to upgrade the basic audio system?
I will. This is what I already have planned. Remarks are welcome!

Within 2 weeks I will take delivery of a deep blue see 30i. I ordered no extra HiFi or USB options. These are way too expensive because of the Dutch luxury tax ( :thumbsdown: 40% :thumbsdown: ) on new bought cars. The Hifi speaker option (245watts) and radio professional with USB playback costs almost 1700 euro.

So I have planned to integrate a normal DIN radio unit. I have already ordered a radio frame that fits in the 1 (E81) and 3 (e90) series. I assumed this frame will also fit in an E89. I based my assumption on the fact that the BMW part list shows that the basic radio unit of the E89 is also used in the 1 and 3 series.

If this operation succeeds, I can order a Pioneer DEH-P5100UB radio unit.

This unit has all features available that would like to have (USB,sub amp out, low/hi-pass filtering on front/rear/sub outputs). I have order the black interior, so I guess this unit buildin within the DIN frame will look not that bad.

My next and the most important step is to add a fat subwoofer system in the trunk and better rear speakers. I want to design a custom made active subwoofer unit that fits under the opened roof. A bass reflex port/pipe should be integrated between the seats to get a better bass performance in the cabin.

Next I would like to replace the basic rear speakers by building in 2 Pioneer TS-S101PRS speakers.

I’m not sure if these speakers fit into the style of the interior. I will try to integrate them behind the existing speaker panels. If this speaker system is operational, I will decide what to do with the 4 front speakers.

Remarks/suggestions are welcome…

EdP

 

W

Wondermike

Administrator

Staff member

• May 17, 2009

• #2

Congratulations on getting a new one, not many around here are

I can't decide whether it will fit or not :idunno:

 

E

EdP

Member

• May 18, 2009

• #3

Wondermike said:

I can't decide whether it will fit or not :idunno:

Click to expand...

We will see within the next 2 weeks.

The standard radio (teilenummer 65 12 9 200 101) is at the moment used in:
1' E81 1' E87 1' E87 LCI 1' E82 1' E88,
3' E90 3' E90 LCI 3' E91 3' E91 LCI 3' E92 3' E93 and
Z4 E89 models.



EdP

 

O

outrun

Active member

• May 18, 2009

• #4

Just a thought Ed, i have 2 original BMW rear speaker grills that are designed for cars that have HiFi Pro DSP. I was going to pull out my cubby hole things (behind the seats) and sink some speakers in then put on the original grills and have a standard look. Turned out the speakers i bought were too big to sink so the grills are now excess to requirements. They cost £60 in the UK so how does £40 sound - brand new boxed never used. PM me if you're interested and i'll get the part numbers off the box etc

 

E

EdP

Member

• May 19, 2009

• #5

Thanks Outrun for your offer, but the rear speakers have to be cover besides the mid also the high frequency band. The E89 has no tweeters in the doors like the E85 had.

EdP

 

A

Arnold

Member

• May 22, 2009

• #6

Hi EDP,

I ordered the Z4 also, but with the navigation system and standard speaker setup. I do not know what the sound will be (I ordered the car before the introduction, 3 weeks ago) but if the sound is disappointing I will change the speaker setup also.

Regards,

Arnold (from NL)

 

O

outrun

Active member

• May 22, 2009

• #7

Mine has door tweeters. Took them out though and changed the front speakers as part of my ICE install.

 

E

EdP

Member

• May 22, 2009

• #8

Arnold said:

I ordered the Z4 also, but with the navigation system and standard speaker setup.

Click to expand...

My E85 has also the standard audio speakers. I guess the E89 system will not sound that differently. It will definitely have a lack of bass and high frequency will not sound very clean. Better speakers and an active subwoofer will improve the sound quality. But improving the quality of the navigation system basic 4x25watt amplifiers will be difficult. You won't have an audio line out signal to connect better amplifiers. To be honest Arnold, why not order the HIFI active speaker system (245watt). the number of options you have to improve the sound quality are limited, because of the navigation system.

EdP

 

E

EdP

Member

• May 22, 2009

• #9

I have a new candidate to replace the rear and maybe also the front speakers. It's the Dayton Reference Woofers 4" (RS100-4).

This is not a 'car' speaker. I personally don't think this will cause problems. My car is always parked in my garage, so a higher humidity and/or temperature will have less influence on the wear out of this speaker. The specification of this speaker looks promising. This biggest plus is that it can be more easily integrated behind the standard speaker panels.

EdP

 

A

Arnold

Member

• May 22, 2009

• #10

EdP said:

Arnold said:

I ordered the Z4 also, but with the navigation system and standard speaker setup.

Click to expand...

.... To be honest Arnold, why not order the HIFI active speaker system (245watt). the number of options you have to improve the sound quality are limited, because of the navigation system.

EdP

Click to expand...

I know, but that system is another 1000 euro and sometimes you need to stop.

I choose the 2.3 automatic executive with navigation with the 292 wheels.

 

E

EdP

Member

• May 23, 2009

• #11

Arnold said:

I know, but that system is another 1000 euro and sometimes you need to stop.

Click to expand...

I have experienced it also...First I wanted to order the radio professional + USB + Hifi speakers. The net BMW price is already high, but the Dutch BMP tax sucks all the way (total 1650 extra for USB and better speakers). My own audio project will cost around 600 euro.

EdP

 

M

mkindyfan

New member

• May 26, 2009

• #12

I think you guys are onto something here. The one thing that bugged me (well actually alot of things bugged me about the purchase of my new Z4) was the sound system...

in the UK you are looking at an additional £815.00 for the proffesional version which gives you all the speakers and a decent Wattage. The Business level at an additional £545.00 give a leaser spec but with rear speakers which apear to be missing from the base version. Plus you want to add in the DAB option at £310.00 it's getting a might silly on the price point.


How about a package independently sourced for say £500 - £600 that gives you a better head unit, Amp, speaker combination? Any one voluenteering to go gather the info??? I am way to thick to accomplish this mission.


mkindy


cheers

Mkindy

 

E

EdP

Member

• May 28, 2009

• #13

mkindyfan said:

How about a package independently sourced for say £500 - £600 that gives you a better head unit, Amp, speaker combination? Any one voluenteering to go gather the info??? I am way to thick to accomplish this mission.

Click to expand...

That's what I have planned. I have estimated the cost arround 700 euro's.

I already have received the car radio frame...but first I NEED TO GET MY CAR. .WHERE IS IT. .WEEK 22 WAS PLANNED!!!

I will call my dealer tomorrow. I hope the production plant problem mentioned on a German board is just a rumour.

(UPDATE)My future car is ready to be transported from Regensburg to the Netherlands (8 hours of transport time). I guess I can pick it up next week.

EdP

 

A

Arnold

Member

• Jun 8, 2009

• #14

Hi EdP,

Do you have your car already?

My car will be delivered in week 26.

Regards,

 

E

EdP

Member

• Jun 9, 2009

• #15

Arnold said:

Hi EdP,

Do you have your car already?

My car will be delivered in week 26.

Regards,

Click to expand...

No, I haven't...expected delivery in week 22 is already passed 1,5 weeks... The car is ready and waiting te be transported. That was told me in week 22.

It seems that (read on a German board) cars produced in Regensburg are transported by train to Hannover (I guess for EU mainland delivery) and than transported to the car dealer. I will give my dealer a call tomorrow morning again to ask them about it?

EdP

 

A

Arnold

Member

• Jun 9, 2009

• #16

Where did you order your car?

 

E

EdP

Member

• Jun 10, 2009

• #17

Arnold said:

Where did you order your car?

Click to expand...

A BMW dealer in the Netherlands.

 

E

EdP

Member

• Jun 11, 2009

• #18

Next week Wednesday time has come to pickup my new 30i and to start upgrading the audio system.

I have a new candidate to replace the 4" rear speakers. The Omnes Audio BB3.01, a very popular and affordable speaker in the full range scene. It can easy compete with the more expensive Pioneers.

This 3” speaker requireres a coversion ring to fit into the E89’s 4” opening.
Next week more details when the real work start!!

Edp

 

A

Arnold

Member

• Jun 11, 2009

• #19

Keep me posted, i wll get mine on the 24th.

are you sure these speakers will fit? And will you use an amplifier?

 

E

EdP

Member

• Jun 15, 2009

• #20

Arnold said:

Keep me posted, i wll get mine on the 24th.

are you sure these speakers will fit? And will you use an amplifier?

Click to expand...

The Omnes will fit when using an adapter ring.

It looks like I have to upgrade not only the rear speakers, but also the door speakers.

The rear speaker are edgeways behind the seats. This will be bad for the reproduction of high frequencies (caused by position of speakers and ears of listener).
So upgrading the door speakers is a must!!

About the amplifiers, I will use the amps of the Pioneer. Because of a high pass filter, starting at 125hz, the 4x50 watt will be sufficient to drive the front and rear speakers. Frequencies below this cut off frequency of 125hz I will use an external >500 watt amp to drive a custom build sob woofer.

About my future Z4…
:thumbsdown: It looks like we have a new delay again...and it is unclear when I can take delivery of my 30i…almost 3 weeks delay :thumbsdown:

EdP


UPDATE My car has arrived at the dealer 2 days and counting to take delivery