[makkan00]

I've coded a professional HU with DAB to hi-fi and owner had no issues. Not sure about CIC. But as Sean stated, there should not be any problems.

[tazg101]

Originally Posted by makkan00

Pre-LCI cars suffer from PDC decreased volumes. For LCI, Ian have already responded.

And in Pre-LCI, 2005-6 model, you cannot do much other than reducing the volumer while reversing (and its worth of listening to quality music than hearing gongs).
However on few 2007-8 cars, I have brought it back to 90% of its volume with extensive coding.

I have coded alpine in my lci e90.

PDc bongs are very low even at max nothing like before I installed the kit.

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by Frobius

You can code the car to reduce the volume of the stereo when you're in reverse. It works really well actually.

Frob
Do you know on what RAD modules is it possible? (as its not possible on all).
And what lines to modify?
Thanks.

[Kuroblack]

Originally Posted by seanblee

It's definitely not a technical issue - the Alpine kit doesn't integrate with the rest of the car's electronics, it just takes the output signal from the head unit and amplifies it, so there's really nothing for it to interact with. The coding is to remove the EQ from the factory output, which boosts treble to compensate for the lack of tweeters, so makes the sound overly bright if you fit the Alpine kit. I've got a 2011 CIC in my car with the Alpine kit that I've coded to hifi and it works perfectly.

There are two different kits - you want to make sure you get the later plug-and-play kit for easier installation, rather than the older cut-and-join kit.

Thanks for the info - what's CIC and CCC by the way?

[seanblee]

Originally Posted by Kuroblack

Thanks for the info - what's CIC and CCC by the way?

CIC = 2009-on HDD satnav
CCC = pre-2009 DVD satnav

Both have an 8.8" hi-res display in the centre of the dashboard.

[makkan00]

Had another installation of Alpine kit done today.


All good and sweet.

[sylonien]

So is there the PDC and / bongs noise volume issue with the alpine kit?

Or does it depend on pre/LCI and which alpine kit you get??

[gaza01]

Makkan ive taken the plunge and bought an alpine kit. I also got the L7 tweeters mids and underseats. I then got really good deals on a jl audio w7 10" sub and jl audio 1000w amp to power it. Now im a bit lost for direction and have a few questions.

If i use the sub as the governing factor for the music in my car then are the alpine kit and L7s up to the task or do u think they will need upgrading? (I want quality more than anything else. I absolutely hate big sound that is all distorted) I was looking at some focals about £220 for the pair. Or do i need something like mosconis or morels?

If the eq settings in the HU was coded out would there be any benefit of a ms8?

Im thinking id like to run a centre speaker. Can the alpine amp be wired in such a way to run a centre speaker. If not how do you run a centre speaker and is there a 5 channel amp out there for this purpose? Also if the L7s did work then what speaker speaker would you recommend for the centre?

Thanks

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by sylonien

So is there the PDC and / bongs noise volume issue with the alpine kit?

Or does it depend on pre/LCI and which alpine kit you get??

Originally Posted by makkan00

Pre-LCI cars suffer from PDC decreased volumes. For LCI, Ian have already responded.

And in Pre-LCI, 2005-6 model, you cannot do much other than reducing the volumer while reversing (and its worth of listening to quality music than hearing gongs).
However on few 2007-8 cars, I have brought it back to 90% of its volume with extensive coding.

And to add on 2008 onward, bongs are very loud with hi-fi coding and there is a solution with extensive coding.

[makkan00]

Lets see if I can handle it.

Originally Posted by gaza01

Makkan ive taken the plunge and bought an alpine kit. I also got the L7 tweeters mids and underseats. I then got really good deals on a jl audio w7 10" sub and jl audio 1000w amp to power it. Now im a bit lost for direction and have a few questions.

Which amp do you have to be precise?

Originally Posted by gaza01

If i use the sub as the governing factor for the music in my car then are the alpine kit and L7s up to the task or do u think they will need upgrading? (I want quality more than anything else. I absolutely hate big sound that is all distorted) I was looking at some focals about £220 for the pair. Or do i need something like mosconis or morels?

To start with, L7 mids sending 40W X40 = 160 W max Vs 1000W of sub.
I guess you will have mis matched sound.

The way around would be to keep the gains of the sub on minimum and see if that helps. The other issue you will have, would be around the timing of the sound coming from the sub. If you low pass it at / below 60Hz, then you can skip that issue. But on those frequencies, you feel the bass than hearing it.

Originally Posted by gaza01

If the eq settings in the HU was coded out would there be any benefit of a ms8?

Im thinking id like to run a centre speaker. Can the alpine amp be wired in such a way to run a centre speaker. If not how do you run a centre speaker and is there a 5 channel amp out there for this purpose? Also if the L7s did work then what speaker speaker would you recommend for the centre?

Thanks

Central speaker cannot be run with a processor.
You can connect it to right or left speaker, but you will be messing with the overall sound and stereo imaging.

That is where BMW oem L7 sound system or MS-8 comes. I have compared both as well and in all fairness MS-8 is miles ahead of BMW L7.

With Alpine kit, central speaker is no.

With MS-8 + after market kit, central speaker is a MUST and should be co-axial to get the upper frequencies as well.

[gaza01]

Thanks for the info! Not sure of it all but i'll get there.

Amp wise i have the jl audio 1000/1

If the sub is low passed at 60Hz then can u rely upon the underseats for the other bass frequencies?

So ms8 and centre speaker is workable but not with the alpine kit? So basically i can sell the alpine amp?

So L7 are about 40w and basically not a touch on the sub but is it worth trying the install and seeing what can be done in terms of making them work together powerwise?

Also how much will you charge for an install including coding?

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by gaza01

Thanks for the info! Not sure of it all but i'll get there.

Amp wise i have the jl audio 1000/1

If the sub is low passed at 60Hz then can u rely upon the underseats for the other bass frequencies?

So ms8 and centre speaker is workable but not with the alpine kit? So basically i can sell the alpine amp?

So L7 are about 40w and basically not a touch on the sub but is it worth trying the install and seeing what can be done in terms of making them work together powerwise?

Also how much will you charge for an install including coding?

I'd suggest you to listen the setup of P5 MUL and see if it attracts you.
I am not sure what amp he is using (power wise) but he has alpine kit plus subs in the car.
I felt that his subs were going into severe clipping at Gaydon car show, but who cares. At the end of the day people were getting attracted to his car because of two subs playing!


Once you decide which route you want to go, shoot me a pm with what you want to get done and I will be able to assist you from there on.

[gaza01]

Thanks. Will be intouch.

[sylonien]

Originally Posted by makkan00

And to add on 2008 onward, bongs are very loud with hi-fi coding and there is a solution with extensive coding.

Is this a problem with the alpine kit + hifi coding only?

Or is it a problem that will affect any aftermarket amp (with high level input) if you're tapping signal from base unit?

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by sylonien

Is this a problem with the alpine kit + hifi coding only?

Or is it a problem that will affect any aftermarket amp (with high level input) if you're tapping signal from base unit?

will effect any amp if hi-fi coding is applied.

[sylonien]

Originally Posted by makkan00

will effect any amp if hi-fi coding is applied.

That sucks.
Had base unit before in my 335i, researched ages on upgrades.

Currently running hifi with my jl sub/amp and its like perfect in this car.
But thinking of changing car which only has base stereo again.

Hunting begins again.

Might ask for your advice at some point if you don't mind?

[badsha]

Hail Makkan aka Sam for his BMW knowledge! =

[sylonien]

Originally Posted by makkan00

will effect any amp if hi-fi coding is applied.

Even with the CIC iDrive BONG (or GONG? lol :P) turned down,
is it still loud with hifi coding?

[Ibo24]

I have also bought the Alpine Hifi kit.

I have ordered the BMW Top Hifi subwoofers, are these good enough like the L7?

And my last question, how can we decide with which cable we need to cut & connect to the cables coming from the amp?

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by Ibrahim24

I have also bought the Alpine Hifi kit.

I have ordered the BMW Top Hifi subwoofers, are these good enough like the L7?

And my last question, how can we decide with which cable we need to cut & connect to the cables coming from the amp?

Top hi-fi are similar to L7 subs.
For your second question, read the instructions for the alpine retrofit kit.

[Ibo24]

Yes I have read the instructions. But is there a better way to "know" which one is the right one. For ex. The cable from the subs are thicker ..

And what are the specs of the amp.

I have ordered it the 25st of November but it will arrive at 6 Januari. :-/

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by Ibrahim24

Yes I have read the instructions. But is there a better way to "know" which one is the right one. For ex. The cable from the subs are thicker ..

And what are the specs of the amp.

I have ordered it the 25st of November but it will arrive at 6 Januari. :-/

If you really read this thread then you cannot miss the amp specs.
Same goes with reading the instructions. Everything is clearly mentioned!