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      12-06-2013, 02:27 PM   #1
Pyccak
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Swap hifi system for Harmon Kardon

Hey guys, couldn't find any info on this. Basicly me and my gf both have 2011 335i's, she has the HK and I have the hifi. I wanted to know if I can just swap my audio system with hers, since she doesn't really listen to music anyways.

Has anyone done this before??


Appreciate any help
Thanks
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      12-06-2013, 02:35 PM   #2
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Its not practical

Its not practical in my opinnion.
The things you would have to do are numerous and would
require changing of wire harnesses and programming.

You would run the risk of messing up both cars.
Not even the BMW dealership would attempt this and if they
did it would run you thousands of dollars, and for that price you
could have something much better in your car.

Never heard of anyone attempting that here though a few
have retrofitted idrive at a cost of 3k to 6k and these are DIY
prices.
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      12-06-2013, 02:42 PM   #3
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I think swapping engines would be easier...
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      12-06-2013, 03:03 PM   #4
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Hmm..
Since the cars are identical and both have idrive, I was hoping it would be just an amplifier swap and speakers..
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      12-06-2013, 03:06 PM   #5
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Swap cars...
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      12-06-2013, 03:53 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctuna View Post
Its not practical in my opinnion.
The things you would have to do are numerous and would
require changing of wire harnesses and programming.

You would run the risk of messing up both cars.
Not even the BMW dealership would attempt this and if they
did it would run you thousands of dollars, and for that price you
could have something much better in your car.

Never heard of anyone attempting that here though a few
have retrofitted idrive at a cost of 3k to 6k and these are DIY
prices.
me and my friends just did a 3 way, non navi car to CCC, a CCC car to CIC, and a CIC car to non navi.
had to swap the non navi dash out of the 1 car into another.
anything is possibly.
all you need is a most cable, swap the amps, and to code the headunits (or i guess you could swap) and swap the speakers (keep in mind you may not have rear door speaker holes so hopefully you have the same color interior) you would also have to wire up the center channel
nothing is impossible.
just bc a dealership wont do something means nothing.
they wont tighten a bolt unless there is a TSB telling them which hand tool to use.
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      12-06-2013, 05:10 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JYohay View Post
me and my friends just did a 3 way, non navi car to CCC, a CCC car to CIC, and a CIC car to non navi.
had to swap the non navi dash out of the 1 car into another.
anything is possibly.
all you need is a most cable, swap the amps, and to code the headunits (or i guess you could swap) and swap the speakers (keep in mind you may not have rear door speaker holes so hopefully you have the same color interior) you would also have to wire up the center channel
nothing is impossible.
just bc a dealership wont do something means nothing.
they wont tighten a bolt unless there is a TSB telling them which hand tool to use.

Thanks for sharing, I knew it was possible I just wanted to hear from someone who actually attempted this and could share their experience.

So you say I need to swap most of the cable as well? I could keep the same headunit, code it and swap the amp? As far as rear door speaker holes- that shouldn't be a problem, I can do that.
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      12-06-2013, 05:24 PM   #8
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FYI

There are block diagrams for each system in two of the following links.
If you can change the hardware you would still need to reprogram
the car for the correct stereo option number which isn't that hard
with a coding setup. Or you could swap the Head Units if they are the same. The car should still have its programming adjusted
for the correct VO.
The harnesses and speakers will be the biggest problem. (as the harnesses
are different and there are more speakers in the L7.

BMW stereo types
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138949
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323
http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865
http://www.bawarec.ru/manuals/3er/e9...3er-e90-12.pdf
http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872

Why don't you just swap cars.
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      12-06-2013, 05:42 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JYohay View Post
me and my friends just did a 3 way, non navi car to CCC, a CCC car to CIC, and a CIC car to non navi.
had to swap the non navi dash out of the 1 car into another.
anything is possibly.
all you need is a most cable, swap the amps, and to code the headunits (or i guess you could swap) and swap the speakers (keep in mind you may not have rear door speaker holes so hopefully you have the same color interior) you would also have to wire up the center channel
nothing is impossible.
just bc a dealership wont do something means nothing.
they wont tighten a bolt unless there is a TSB telling them which hand tool to use.
Hi friend



@Pyccak : The swap is definitely doable. Find someone who can code near you and it's doable. @JYohay did basically the first part of the swap you want to do - he installed Logic 7/HK speakers in his truck. Everything he mentioned is correct

Since you have two identical cars in front of you, you might as well swap everything over, including the radio (you could get both radios coded, but you might as well just switch both). Everything else is up in the quoted post, in bold. Once you get everything out, it's a pretty straightforward process.
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      12-06-2013, 05:44 PM   #10
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Last thing to do would be to have coder change a few values in the VO and you're all set. This is really the simplest part.
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      12-06-2013, 06:51 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pyccak
Hmm..
Since the cars are identical and both have idrive, I was hoping it would be just an amplifier swap and speakers..
Wiring, fiber optic net, amp, speakers. Essentially EVERYTHING. Swap cars.
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      12-06-2013, 07:09 PM   #12
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thanks for you input guys!
Not sure I want to do this now I swapped dashboards before on e90s, not sure if I want to do it again, especially on both cars
swaping cars in not an option, I like my AW m-sport too much.
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      12-06-2013, 07:12 PM   #13
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What other options do you guys know of out there that could compare to HK system in sound quality? (that are easier to install)
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      12-06-2013, 07:23 PM   #14
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might want to hit up musicarNW, they seem to be the go to guys for audio upgrades.
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      12-06-2013, 07:28 PM   #15
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Most say any MusicarNW system is better than L7.

Most say any MusicarNW system is better than L7.
Also there system is and easy upgrade.
Upgrades are described in
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323

Also I have a collected list of my favorites.
from everybody that has posted here over the
past few years.
Best System examples
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445266
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=processor
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=727760
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=level
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=590420
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581379
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451941
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540954
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=324214
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495855
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=technic
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=Dotech
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...&highlight=BSW
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...morel-jbl.html
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494299
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=550771
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540446
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=532585
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=amp+upgrade
http://www.bilstereoforum.se/showthread.php?t=2356
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=443043
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=level+3

Last edited by ctuna; 12-06-2013 at 07:43 PM..
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      12-06-2013, 07:54 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctuna View Post
Most say any MusicarNW system is better than L7.
Also there system is and easy upgrade.
Upgrades are described in
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323

Also I have a collected list of my favorites.
from everybody that has posted here over the
past few years.
Best System examples
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445266
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=processor
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=727760
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=level
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=590420
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581379
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451941
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540954
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=324214
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495855
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=technic
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=Dotech
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...&highlight=BSW
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...morel-jbl.html
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494299
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=550771
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540446
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=532585
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=amp+upgrade
http://www.bilstereoforum.se/showthread.php?t=2356
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=443043
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=level+3


Thanks ctuna! That's very helpful!
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      12-06-2013, 10:04 PM   #17
Pyccak
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So it looks like MusicarNW is only for frontstage upgrade..?
In which case technics harness is the best choice for overall quality...
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      12-06-2013, 10:12 PM   #18
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They seem to have a philosophy that front upgrades are the most bang for your buck. However they also offer subwoofers which IMHO the E9x really needs if you really like music, at least with the stock "hifi" system. The underseat drivers are nice; certainly it's a better system than in any other car I've ever owned, but if you expect to sit in your garage with the engine off and listen to something with lots of bass e.g. symphonic music or some such and expect it to compare to a good home system, you'll be disappointed. I've got about $500 in a basic HT receiver and 7+1 speaker system in the basement, pretty entry level, and even though my sub there won't go down to a true 20 Hz and it's not as good for music as a proper two channel setup it still handles Beethoven better than BMW hifi.

As to whether you agree with musicar that the front is where all the action is, that's a personal preference thing. You *can* upgrade the rears too, take a look at all the options on their site. How well the stuff works, well, I can't say as I'm on the other coast from them and don't know anyone with one of their systems, but they do seem to have consistently happy customers.

When I'm in the car I'm most of the time listening to NPR, so I'm more than happy with the hifi. Had I the money to burn though I'd probably pop for an upgrade just because.
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      12-06-2013, 11:11 PM   #19
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You can upgrade it any way you want.

You can upgrade it any way you want.
The MusicarNW kits emphasize high quality
components in the front but if you want to do the
backs he will sell you those to.
The other approach some take on here is a
ms-8(processor) amps and speakers that gives you a superset
of the logic 7 philosophy. There are a lot of people here that
love that setup.
You should read the last link in the systems thread.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=833581
Ken talks about his choice of processors and the reasons why
he does what he does.
And actually his systems would beat a lot of home systems unless
they were using very esoteric high end absoulute sound systems.
components ,Well at least some.
The Technic Harness works perfectly with Hi Fi system it was designed four all channels are routed to the same places as the stock amp and MusicarNW is or was using them in his Hi Fi Kits.

There are many approaches if you read all those system threads
you will get a pretty good idea of what can be done and pluses and
minuses .

Last edited by ctuna; 12-06-2013 at 11:31 PM..
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      12-07-2013, 12:50 PM   #20
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Look into BSW upgrades as well

(But the swap really isn't as hard as you're thinking, imo)
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      12-07-2013, 02:34 PM   #21
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The following would sound quite a bit better than the stock logic 7 system.
Technics harness
JL XD600/6
Jehnert or MB Quartz 3way kit

You'd also need the connectors.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...9&postcount=19
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