[Phil99z]

Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade my base idrive stereo with probably the Alpine retrofit kit as I have been offered a used one at a half decent price, I know a lot of people go for the Logic 7 under seat subs but they are pretty hard to come by and not the cheapest either for used ICE so what others would you guys recommend that are not going to break the bank? Also do other L7 subs from other BMW's fit if I put them in the E91 bracket?

With regards to the Alpine retrofit kit, any pointers or anything I should be aware of? I really thought I had left the days of upgrading car stereos in my youth as back in the day I was well into it with 1000w RMS amps, JBL 12" sub woofer in a box, 6x9's, etc, etc! But the quality of stereo in my E91 is just awful and it's been over 15 years since I last installed an amp and speakers!

Thanks guys!

[E90-AMD]

Originally Posted by 2die4

Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade my base idrive stereo with probably the Alpine retrofit kit as I have been offered a used one at a half decent price, I know a lot of people go for the Logic 7 under seat subs but they are pretty hard to come by and not the cheapest either for used ICE so what others would you guys recommend that are not going to break the bank? Also do other L7 subs from other BMW's fit if I put them in the E91 bracket?

With regards to the Alpine retrofit kit, any pointers or anything I should be aware of? I really thought I had left the days of upgrading car stereos in my youth as back in the day I was well into it with 1000w RMS amps, JBL 12" sub woofer in a box, 6x9's, etc, etc! But the quality of stereo in my E91 is just awful and it's been over 15 years since I last installed an amp and speakers!

Thanks guys!

You've got MB Quart and Earthquake and others too (google it), people on here seem to be happy with them and they're direct replacement to the originals. I'd install the Alpine Kit first then upgrade to the aftermarket woofers.

The amp in the rear will provide the woofers with more power which will improve the quality.

[RajB]

Hi Phil. The alpine kit is a direct easy install tbf. The speakers are direct replacements so there's no issues with fitting. The amp has a place in the back already and the look is ready to run straight off.

Definitely go with above and install it first and see how that sounds. You may be happy with the underseat sound until so desired to upgrade. The MB quarts are a good value replacement.

[OGM2LCI]

Agree with your comments about the standard system being awful! The Alpine upgrade is a definite step up from the base system, not overly difficult to install either

If you're any good with coding software then many on here will recommend you code the HU to hifi as well to change the HU output to low level

I've still yet to do this or hear an Alpine system that's had the HU coded but I will say that sometimes the system sounds a little sharp

I'm looking to get some L7 subs too but they're seeming to be fairly rare, would be handy to see if any L7 subs from any other BMW's will fit the E92

[Riz123]

My brother has the alpine kit fitted in his e92 he upgraded the underseat subs with the hifi 8" subwoofers and it sounded really good he has since sourced and fitted the logic 7 subs and honestly there is not much difference in sound between the hifi and logic 7 subwoofers

[Riz123]

Originally Posted by James-B93

Agree with your comments about the standard system being awful! The Alpine upgrade is a definite step up from the base system, not overly difficult to install either

If you're any good with coding software then many on here will recommend you code the HU to hifi as well to change the HU output to low level

I've still yet to do this or hear an Alpine system that's had the HU coded but I will say that sometimes the system sounds a little sharp

I'm looking to get some L7 subs too but they're seeming to be fairly rare, would be handy to see if any L7 subs from any other BMW's will fit the E92

Hifi coding is a must with the alpine kit makes it sound a lot cleaner, The sharpness your hearing is probably clipping, the standard Base audio is highly equalised but the coding flattens the eq curve and sends a cleaner signal to the amp so it's not driven into distortion.

[E90-AMD]

Originally Posted by James-B93

Agree with your comments about the standard system being awful! The Alpine upgrade is a definite step up from the base system, not overly difficult to install either

If you're any good with coding software then many on here will recommend you code the HU to hifi as well to change the HU output to low level

I've still yet to do this or hear an Alpine system that's had the HU coded but I will say that sometimes the system sounds a little sharp

I'm looking to get some L7 subs too but they're seeming to be fairly rare, would be handy to see if any L7 subs from any other BMW's will fit the E92

According to RealOem, you can source them from the 1 Series, 3 Series and X1 (LCI and non-LCI).

[Riz123]

Originally Posted by E90-AMD

According to RealOem, you can source them from the 1 Series, 3 Series and X1 (LCI and non-LCI).

I may be wrong but I'm sure pre lci have two pin connectors on subs and lci have 4 pin connectors?

[Fundguy1]

Anyone have a link to the alpine kit?

[Riz123]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

Anyone have a link to the alpine kit?

Is your car pre lci or lci? The two kits are different

[Fundguy1]

Pre thx

[Riz123]

You need part number 65410445684 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171925049082?redirect=mobile

Worth checking ebay.de can be purchased cheaper on there

[Fundguy1]

OK thx. I have the e93 2008 335i with the L7. Probably just do drivers, an amp, and head unit instead.

[OGM2LCI]

Originally Posted by Riz123

Hifi coding is a must with the alpine kit makes it sound a lot cleaner, The sharpness your hearing is probably clipping, the standard Base audio is highly equalised but the coding flattens the eq curve and sends a cleaner signal to the amp so it's not driven into distortion.

This is what I keep reading, however I've got a pre-lci 2008 E92 and fitted the 684 kit which apparently doesn't require coding

I'd still like it doing because I could deal with loud warning gongs if it meant I wouldn't have to adjust the bass and treble between every song

[Tr1ppy]

I'm thinking of doing the same as OP. Base stereo is hopeless to say the least!

I thought after coding to hifi that the gongs are much quieter, this inlcudes the PDC beeps.

Has anyone sorted these issues out after coding? Is there any way to increase the gong/pdc volumes?

[Riz123]

Originally Posted by Tr1ppy

I'm thinking of doing the same as OP. Base stereo is hopeless to say the least!

I thought after coding to hifi that the gongs are much quieter, this inlcudes the PDC beeps.

Has anyone sorted these issues out after coding? Is there any way to increase the gong/pdc volumes?

The bongs and pdc is slightly quiter but I'm sure you can adjust gong and pdc volume from headunit/I drive alternatively just turn music down whilst using pdc.

[Riz123]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

OK thx. I have the e93 2008 335i with the L7. Probably just do drivers, an amp, and head unit instead.

Stick with the L7 this upgrade kit is for cars with the 6 speaker base audio system.

[Fundguy1]

Originally Posted by Riz123

Stick with the L7 this upgrade kit is for cars with the 6 speaker base audio system.

Thx. I used to install. I like to know what's out there to work with.