318is audio upgrade

[arcon]

I'm going to do an audio upgrade on my '96 318is sedan - the head unit is the factory Blaupunkt Paris RCM104 with a 10disc changer in the boot. I think the most cost-effective upgrade to get the sound i want is to keep this configuration and add a 4 channel amp, with new front and rear speakers.

i'm thinking of is 6x9s mounted high for the rear, but as for the front i'm not sure how large i can go... it looks like 4" in there now but hard to see the actual size of the pods, could i fit 5.25" in a '96 318is...? obviously i'd much rather have the bigger speakers

i've talked to a place that will do the install, they said the only thing which could be an issue is if there are no RCA outputs on my factory head unit, how can i find this out before buying hardware? (without ripping it out if possible ).

 

[johnf]

I'm going to do an audio upgrade on my '96 318is sedan - the head unit is the factory Blaupunkt Paris RCM104 with a 10disc changer in the boot....

In Europe, at least, the factory head unit looks considerably different and only works with a matching 6 disc changer. Assuming your radio and changer are stock rather than after market, the head unit likely won't have RCA outputs although someone may offer an adapter that provides them. (It is far more common to find adapters that plug aftermarket radios into BMW sound systems.) If it doesn't have them, you can probably still buy the BMW connector shell + contacts and make one -- again, assuming you have a standard BMW head unit.

 

[arcon]

If it doesn't have them, you can probably still buy the BMW connector shell + contacts and make one -- again, assuming you have a standard BMW head unit.

thanks - i'l mention that to the install place.

btw i found out that my car should fit 5.25 in the front, and the rear pods are actually only 4" max (!!!). no wonder it sounds so bad. what's worse is that bmw have installed the pods on the rear shelf hard up against the side of the car, so there's no way to use the existing holes with anything much bigger, and especially not wide 6x9s. i *think* 6x9 boxes will be too tall to fit on the rear shelf, so basically i'm gonna have to break out the chainsaw and get the shelf cut. :/

 

[sinisterE36]

try fitting a 5x7 instead of a 6x9 you'll get just about the same sound but in a slightly smaller speaker.

 

[andreyiv]

Or you can try going with more powerful 5.25" speakers up front and then some 4" speakers in the back (the stock speakers are 5.25" up front and 4" in the rear). People have managed to fit 5.25" speakers in the OEM 4" boxes with minor modifications (and 6.5" speakers up front but that requires cutting into the body of the car), maybe that would be a better idea than 6x9's since when you go to a concert, you are facing the performers and are not looking in the opposite direction (thats what it would seem like with louder speakers in the rear), not to mention the sound quality limitations of 6x9's. Since you are adding an amp to the car, it wouldn't be hard to get nice, clean and loud (if thats what you desire) sound from the front with some speakers that can withstand higher power ratings. If it is a little more bass that you desire, without compromising much space, www.bavariansoundwerks.com has the solution for you. Or you can build an enclosure yourself out of MDF (which is what I did, cost me a mere $100 bucks).
Sorry for going a little off topic but hope you found some of this a little useful.

 

[sinisterE36]

btw do your door panels have a tweeter and a midrange speaker along with a speaker at the bottom or not all models have that ?