[Dr Dave]

Well done Si, a real labour of love.

[robbie99]

Originally Posted by _Si_

robbie99 many thanks, your diagram has helped loads

You're welcome and congratulations on completing the install!

Diagrams have been updated with your latest colours. Thanks.

[richd]

Originally Posted by _Si_

Sorted. red/blue and brown/white need to replace red/white and brown yellow on the right hand side of the car.

Well its all complete now. Thanks to everyone for their help. Sounds great as well!

Nice one Perseverance paid off then!

[scottishpete]

Got a quote today

684 £247.50
197 £9.78
198 £9.78

Fully fitted
£689.93 inc

I asked what happens to warranty if i fit myself

[illingworth22]

Originally Posted by T335i

Ok, Bedankt/Thanks, I may order the 4 ohm then together with the apline set.
I have seen found them for $130 (is about €92) in U.S. (but shipping expensive). for £120 and I found a shop in holland who sells them for €109. So that last option in by far the best for me. Just dont know if i should wait and install the alpine set first and see how the OEM subs do....

Can you post or PM the shop in Holland who has the Sub's

[scottishpete]

Right if i fit or a pro fits it and something goes wrong with car due to the install i have to pay for repairs,so if worst comes to worst you un install it before you call them up and they would never know lol

Anyone going to put up some sample sound clips to hear the difference?

[Dr Dave]

I don't think a soundgrab would give any form of impression whatsoever, but nethertheless a good idea.

[T335i]

@ illingworth22

check you p.m.

[garysargent]

I just took my car in to Wakefield Sandall BMW to have the Alpine upgrade fitted, and they called to say they can't fit it as it is not compatible

Car is a 335i - the guy said it was because I had the "DSP" option and that was taking up space where the amp would go, and that the DSP has its own amp and is not compatible with the Alpine.

I presume by DSP he means Digital Radio?

Any of you guys done such an install? Is it not possible to fit with the DAB radio?

Got the professional sat nav and head unit.

[v24mis]

how much power (rms) increase are we talking about with this upgrade guys?
i guessing the stock amp gives out 22rms max per channel and maybe 50-100rms for the subs?

also where do u normally buy the kit from and if you could tell me the price including the housing for the tweeters?

[kend]

I do not know what the power outputs e but the kit is only available from BMW dealers, price will depend on the style of tweeter housings but I think it is in the low 200's depending on discount.

[zoltan_tms]

Originally Posted by v24mis

how much power (rms) increase are we talking about with this upgrade guys?
i guessing the stock amp gives out 22rms max per channel and maybe 50-100rms for the subs?

also where do u normally buy the kit from and if you could tell me the price including the housing for the tweeters?

The power increase is about 15-20%,i'm talking about the volume,if you also change the subs,maybe you'll notice more increase in the low frequencies.

[illingworth22]

Originally Posted by robbie99

You're welcome and congratulations on completing the install!

Diagrams have been updated with your latest colours. Thanks.

OK Because I have added the Tweeter speakers to the front door and because the Sub's are connected on the same circuit as the (now) 2 door speakers I now have 3 x 4 Ohm Speakers connected in Parallel. This means the load on the front channel of the Amp is 1.33333 Ohms. The Amp is not built to take this low a load (I am sure the Alpine will be the same!) and I keep getting a burning smell from the car when I get home on an evening (I park the car under the house in a enclosed Car Port). The smell is similar to melting plastic!

I Can't quite get my head round this.... I will try to explain (as I said earlier my Amp is the Blaupunkt I assume it works/connects in a similar way as the Alpine option). OK My Head Unit sends Front, left & Right and Rear Left & Right to the amp (4 channels). The Amp then sends out amplified Front, Left & Right and Rear, Left & Right. So If I am to connect the Subs to the Rear Channel I will have to do some cutting & splicing..right?
OK I cut the Rear Left & Right Outputs from the Amp and connect these directly to the Sub...? Now there is no sound what so ever coming from the rear! (because I have just cut the feed, right!) I can not feed the rear speakers from the head unit as this would result me loosing the input into the Amp and therefore loose the Rear (Now the Sub) Output.
The only way I can see getting round this is to connect the Subs in Parallel with the rear Speakers....
This would then mean the Amp is driving as follows Front two channels driving Front Left & Right Door Speakers & Tweeters (2 x 4ohms in parallel = 2 Ohms) and the rear two channels driving Rear Left & Right Door Speakers & Subs (again 2 x 4ohm speakers in parallel = 2 Ohms)
Would I be right in assuming the amp will only output what is input..e.g. If there is no rear left and right input from the head unit then there will be no output from the Amp's rear two channels?

See here for a description on connecting speakers http://www.teamrocs.com/technical/pa...ngspeakers.htm

[richd]

Originally Posted by illingworth22

I Can't quite get my head round this.... I will try to explain (as I said earlier my Amp is the Blaupunkt I assume it works/connects in a similar way as the Alpine option). OK My Head Unit sends Front, left & Right and Rear Left & Right to the amp (4 channels). The Amp then sends out amplified Front, Left & Right and Rear, Left & Right. So If I am to connect the Subs to the Rear Channel I will have to do some cutting & splicing..right?

(snip)

The Alpine is connected to the front head unit feed only. The rear speakers stay driven from the rear output of the head unit.

As the amp doesn't need a high level to drive it, you can split the front channel from the head unit to feed the front and back inputs of the amp. This allows you to drive the subs from the rear channels and the door pairs from the front channels.

If you want to amp the rears then a separate amp is needed, or a 5 channel amp (with the 5th channel driving the subs).

[Steve748]

For me the Alpine upgrade kit is as much as I want/need. Plenty loud enough and sound wise a big improvement over the standard crock o shite. You could spend a fair bit to get a better sound but when you consider the road/wind noise I don't think it's worth it.

[richd]

Originally Posted by Steve748

For me the Alpine upgrade kit is as much as I want/need. Plenty loud enough and sound wise a big improvement over the standard crock o shite. You could spend a fair bit to get a better sound but when you consider the road/wind noise I don't think it's worth it.

I agree completely. I looked at going the 5 channel Blaupunkt route, but the ease of installation and price of the Alpine upgrade won the day. I decided, if I didn't think it was up to the job I'd strip it out and sell it on.

As others have said, its not going to break any windows with its loudness, but at medium to high levels it gives a great overall sound. Subs are driven properly and feel tight, better definition from the mids due to the upgraded drivers and tweeters, which as well all know should have been there anyway...

I was contemplating upgrading the subs to complete the package, swapping out for 8" earthquakes, but to be honest, the Alpine amp seems to match the subs well, and I am concerned that the Alpine amp won't actually do upgraded subs justice.

I'd certainly be interested to hear from anyone who has taken the Alpine upgrade to the next step with replacement subs. Is there a noticeable difference for the outlay?

Rich

[Dr Dave]

Hmmm like I need another 'excuse' to justify buying/installing the Alpine kit!

[leetennis]

Hi guys just been reading through the thread, just to clarify there are no splicing points in the front door sill, best points are to enter at the 4 plug connecter... if you have the LCI

I have the 4 door saloon will i have to bring up the rear door sills too?

thanks all, getting it all straight in my head before going for it.

[_Si_]

Originally Posted by leetennis

Hi guys just been reading through the thread, just to clarify there are no splicing points in the front door sill, best points are to enter at the 4 plug connecter... if you have the LCI

I have the 4 door saloon will i have to bring up the rear door sills too?

thanks all, getting it all straight in my head before going for it.

Hi, I can confirm that you need to remove the front seats to expose the connectors to the sub as there are no splicing points (well i couldnt find any!)

You will need to remove the rear trim so you can route the cable from the rear to the front of the car. It just clips out so its not a problem.

The only other thing I found different was the earth point. It didnt seem to be where the instructions said. There was one directly below the boot opening. Or maybe you could go direct to the battery?

Its a lot easier than you think. Just be careful removing the door cards. I used a screw driver wrapped in insulation tape so not to scratch anything.

Good luck, you won't regret it

[MB London]

Can anyone recommend someone (car stereo specialist) in London or nearby who can fit this kit. Really want the is upgrade but will not attempt it myself and the stealers…….well say no more

[T335i]

Installed my Alpine set today, good few hours work, but was definately worth it! Installation was not to difficult, enjoyed doing it actually! Im happy with the sound, the tweeters really add some life to the music now, and finally the subs came out of a deep long sleep!!
Thanks to everyone here posting usefull guidelines and tips, really did help a lot!

[cienzod]

Originally Posted by garysargent

I just took my car in to Wakefield Sandall BMW to have the Alpine upgrade fitted, and they called to say they can't fit it as it is not compatible

Car is a 335i - the guy said it was because I had the "DSP" option and that was taking up space where the amp would go, and that the DSP has its own amp and is not compatible with the Alpine.

I presume by DSP he means Digital Radio?

Any of you guys done such an install? Is it not possible to fit with the DAB radio?

Got the professional sat nav and head unit.

I got the same reply from my dealer a couple of weeks ago.

Went back there 2 days ago to see if they could just get me the "TopHiFi" speakers & tweeters and they've come back offering to do the Alpine HiFi upgrade, even though I've got the DAB radio installed. Looking at the installation instructions, it looks like the Alpine amp goes in the boot under the floor, the DAB radio definitely is not there. My only concern at the moment is that the connectors are not compatible. But they're now willing to give it a go. Parts are ordered and the car's booked in for next Friday. Will let you know how it turns out.