E36 Sound Install

[Jakes]

Hi Guys,

Any body have any details about the sound installation of a E36.

I am looking to replace the speakers and head unit with something a bit more decent.

Looking for speaker sizes, suggestions etc.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[zaleonardz]

what is your budget.

THis could be 5k or 50k

A decent amount is like 10k round about.

 

[Jakes]

Lets work around about a 7 to 8k budget. Looking for something decent but not overwhelming.

 

[zaleonardz]

Go see rob at motortechnique in pta.

He will do something decent,

But your looking at a decent split system in the front, some entry levels for rear fill, and a 12" or something fired through the rear armrest.

 

[veridico]

Great sound in an e36 is difficult to achieve, bass doesnt happen too easily. But it all depends what you are looking for. Sadly for sound systems, more often than not you get what you pay for.

 

[Jakes]

@veridico - Why is it so difficult to get decent bass in a E36?

 

[zaleonardz]

Veridico... amen to that dude.

Saw many of people buying a "boom box" from hificorp for R300, and then cannot figure out why it sounds like utter shite

THe worst is the R200 set of front splits, and the 3 x 15's in the boot, completly underpowered by the 1000w starsound

 

[veridico]

The boot in an e36 has much sound deadening, well, I think its the case for most BMWs. To get serious bass you have to get a serious sub and amp. But a well set up system, by someone with good knowledge and experience, with the right components, you will have a kickass system.

I think my sound for my e36 came to about R20K and I wasnt satisfied. It sounded fantastic, but Im too much of a stickler really.

Upgrade the head unit, all the speakers around the car with some great splits and power them with a good amp, that will be the first step to great sound.

 

[Jakes]

veridico, do mind telling me what your systems consists of?

 

[veridico]

Not a problem:

Head Unit: Pioneer DEH-P400UB
Amps: Infinity 4x100 RMS amp for splits and Lanzar optidrive OPTI2000D for my sub
Sub: Jbl GTI mkII 12"
Front splits: Infinity Kappa Perfect 5.1
Rear: Lanzar Optidrive OPTI62 coaxials
I think 2 gauge power cables to the amps, and oxygen free RCA's of awesomeness.
Lanzar 1 farad cap.

I think thats all, i cant remember.

 

[Jakes]

@verididco = Sounds like a damn decent setup, why aren't you satisfied with it yet?

@all = The original radio that the 318IS comes with seems to be a double DIN, am I correct? And how difficult is it to find a adapter plate to fit a single DIN unit?

 

[Jandre]

Sure it's a single DIN. My '96 has a single DIN.

 

[zaleonardz]

Some damm nice double dins out there for not too much money

 

[Laigo]

Ya, put in a double din DVD screen...

 

[Jandre]

I want to put a double din DVD in my car. Still waiting on brother Gizmo to tell me how involved the process of taking the ac/fan control unit, and moving it lower is.

 

[Laigo]

^^^ I would have done that but i'm keeping my 325i standard inside. The shuttle in the boot only seems to play original CD's, and that sucks big time. So I bought an FM modulator yesterday to play mp3 tracks, it's got remote and everything :clap:

 

[veridico]

Yeah the head unit in the e36 is most definitely single DIN. Im not satisfied with the sound, but I am very happy with it, I dont know if you understand what i mean. Its like driving an M3 compared to a 335i, something is just missing.

 

[Jakes]

veridico, I understand what you mean.... There is still room for improvement.


Guys,

I just had a look at that headunit again, and it looks rather big for a single DIN. Lol. I'll compare it this weekend to a single DIN, coz I can't see how it can possibly be a double DIN.


Thanx for all of your input, helps alot.

 

[Hellas]

Jakes, single DIN is single, no matter how big the frame that goes around it.

Double DIN, you can't miss it.

 

[1two5guy]

Is that a Kenwood DDX? GPS?

What Double din units would you guys recommend?