stereo hook up
- Thread starter etniessk8r17
- Start date
If you are talking about replacing the factory radio, there are some issues to consider. The BMW factory radio uses a remote amp that is mounted in the trunk. It is on the left side, over the left wheel well. You must remove the tail light access cover and then pull back the trunk liner to get to it.
The wires from the factory radio feed the amp, which in turn feeds the speakers. The crossovers are built into the amp, so you have some wiring modifications to make in order to hook up an amplified head unit.
I could be wrong but, I think I read reports that line out from a new head unit does not work with the BMW factory amp.
In my case, I eliminated the BMW amp and installed external crossovers to use the factory speakers.
The wires from the factory radio feed the amp, which in turn feeds the speakers. The crossovers are built into the amp, so you have some wiring modifications to make in order to hook up an amplified head unit.
I could be wrong but, I think I read reports that line out from a new head unit does not work with the BMW factory amp.
In my case, I eliminated the BMW amp and installed external crossovers to use the factory speakers.
[slap] you need a radio harness that connects the wires for the back of the new headunit to the factory plug from bmw thats in your car now( i bought my plug at best buy but you can find it at just about anyplace that sells car audio ) so you dont have to cut and splice your factory wires.
and on that harness is a remote wire for an external amp![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]")
.
no need to bypass anything,the radio harness cost about $15-$20
and on that harness is a remote wire for an external amp
.no need to bypass anything,the radio harness cost about $15-$20
ok ya the whole internal amp thing sounds complicated. well im going to try to sell my subs they are 15 inch and won't fit in my trunk, and plus i dont feel like wiring it. but i would like to have my cd player installed though. Ya i plan on getting a Harness. so i dont have to unhook that internal amp just for the cd player do i? thank for the info.
sinisterE36 said:
[slap] you need a radio harness that connects the wires for the back of the new headunit to the factory plug from bmw thats in your car now( i bought my plug at best buy but you can find it at just about anyplace that sells car audio ) so you dont have to cut and splice your factory wires.
and on that harness is a remote wire for an external amp .
no need to bypass anything,the radio harness cost about $15-$20
and on that harness is a remote wire for an external amp
.no need to bypass anything,the radio harness cost about $15-$20
If the new external amp only has one pair of connections per channel, the midrange and tweeter will blow out at higher volume levels, hence the need for external crossovers.