Yo. I've got a '99 E46 328i. I'm planning on replacing the stock deck and speakers with some nice upgrades. I've never upgraded a car sound system before, so I'm not sure if this will be an issue but I was wondering if my steering-wheel audio controls will still be functional even with a new deck? Thanks for the help.

JL Audio Cleansweep, check it out
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/OEM/CS_MI.jpg

awesome piece

as far as upgrades to be honest the factory system on some of those e46's is really nice, I'd just add a subwoofer and call it a day, but if you really must upgrade you'll get tons of selections in a few

what is that audio interface thing?

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_cleansweep_pages.php?page_id=79

there u go
all the details

Why don't you search the internet or this forum for JL Audio Cleansweep? Not that hard to do and you will get all the information you need. I had never heard of it either, but it only took about 30-seconds for me to find out why Gray mentioned it.

Don't appreciate your post hk. If you're just looking to be a prick, posting is unnecessary.

Don't need a Clean Sweep, totally un-needed on E46. Preamp out, un-EQ'd.

I don't think hksimpson was trying to be harsh, but just encouraging you to harness the info available on the internet. You are likely to get very jaded opinions on a car board (though not necessarily here), so that may be the best option for compiling all the usable data.

One thing I can say is that there is little usable parameters given for price or desired effect. I would have to agree with Gray for probably 90% of E46 owners: upgrade your bass response and you may be happy. I added a box with two JL 8W3s and it's way better than before. I bargain shopped, and already had an amp, so I made things work. Personally, I'm looking for more for when the wife isn't in the car, so I am planning to upgrade my front components. My thoughts are, with price being a consideration, CDT EF series, OZ Audio, or a/d/s. If I can find a good deal, I may go with DLS or Dynaudio, but I'm not holding my breath. Diamond HEX series is also a consideration, but I'm not totally sold on them.

You will likely find, in asking opinions about component sets, that people will recommend seeking out retailers so you can hear them for youself. Though a soundboard may not tell you exactly how they will sound in your car, you may be surprised at how greater expense doesn't always mean greater sound you your ears.

Maybe so, but I've encountered too many guys on these forums that feel they're obliged to be condescending to people. I read about that JL audio interface before I posted, but didn't understand what it was. I'm still not 100% clear.

The Cleansweep is a unit that takes the factory signal and uses a unique "tuning disc" that calibrates the signal so that the output is flat.

Great device, but expensive. Rockford Fosgate is bringing out a similar unit called the "three.sixty" which does the same and a little more, and slightly cheaper too.

Basically both devices are line-output converters with built-in, automated equalizers and line drivers.

If you are little more budget inclined, get a high quality line-level converter from Navone Engineering. Less than $50 but a great piece of equipment that will do the job.