Okay i have a 1997 328i with a sealed trunk. Since the search is broke i'm goin nuts. I need more bass into the cab. I've seen the ski shoot setup and i'm not really interested on goin down that route. I'm kinda leaning toward porting the rear deck or maybe even behind the ski shoot(so the leather strip is still there.
I am curious as to what everyone recommends about porting or your setup besides the ski shoot. Pics would be great. Also how much of an improvement did porting do?

http://bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=417259&highlight=install+pics
Check this thread out for alot of users installs, maybe you will get some ideas.

Okay i have a 1997 328i with a sealed trunk. Since the search is broke i'm goin nuts. I need more bass into the cab. I've seen the ski shoot setup and i'm not really interested on goin down that route. I'm kinda leaning toward porting the rear deck or maybe even behind the ski shoot(so the leather strip is still there.
I am curious as to what everyone recommends about porting or your setup besides the ski shoot. Pics would be great. Also how much of an improvement did porting do?

Acoustically coupling the woofer to the cabin (either by mounting it in the ski-pass or mounting it/them under the rear deck to fire into the cabin) is going to virtually eliminate vehicle transfer function and give you the cleanest, fastest, and most precise response.

Porting the trunk or porting the box into the cabin is going to essentially give you a bandpass configuration and that is not a recipe for SQ, IMO.

If you want something simple, sticking a box in the trunk and taking out the rear speakers will make the volume of the sub in the cabin somewhat more prominant. However, if you have a ski-pass, your best bet is to use it instead.

I don't run rear speakers, but I left the speaker grills there.

I don't run rear speakers, but I left the speaker grills there.

Me too! ;)

I don't run rear speakers, but I left the speaker grills there.
So do does it make a big difference? I will most likely keep my speakers but if it makes a big difference i will put to ports on the deck. Should have the same effect.

Your rear deck is not the best at sound deadening. If you have to run rear speakers, the sound will come through your rear deck just fine. As for it making a difference, I'm sure it does on paper.

OP - were you talking about running a port directly into your cabin? Or just opening up your trunk airspace to your cabin airspace?

So do does it make a big difference? I will most likely keep my speakers but if it makes a big difference i will put to ports on the deck. Should have the same effect.

There are already a lot of of holes in the stucture of the read deck. Personally, I don't think it safe to cut extra holes back there.

You could cut holes in the parcel shelf trim and insulation that correspond to the existing holes in the rear deck sheetmetal.

Removing the rear speakers makes a difference, but not a huge one. Maybe 15%.

OP - were you talking about running a port directly into your cabin? Or just opening up your trunk airspace to your cabin airspace?

I was thinking about just cutting out a 4" hole behind the ski shoot so i just have a hole and the leather flap is in tact. I really want to try to stay as factory as possible. i would even consider porting the ski shoot, if i could find a port that i could tighten up. I think that would look cool with the leather pulled tight.

Is your ski hole already popped out? A port to the ski hole is the easiest way to port a sub into the cabin if that is what you are looking to do.

I was thinking about just cutting out a 4" hole behind the ski shoot so i just have a hole and the leather flap is in tact. I really want to try to stay as factory as possible. i would even consider porting the ski shoot, if i could find a port that i could tighten up. I think that would look cool with the leather pulled tight.

The ski-pass is just a panel in the rear bulkhead that is spot-brazed in place. It is non-structural and can easily knocked out with a few hammer blows. No need to cut anything.

Thanks guys, i didn't realize i could just knock that out. It definetly sounds better now. I also like the fact that there is velcro for the leather flap. Thanks again.

I have been thinking of all of this lately since lots of the bass doesn't make it into the cabin. I have the fold down seats though, so I was thinking of porting the deck lid. The reason is, I am thinking of switching from two 10s to one 12.

There was someone on here who did it and it looked really nice. This is the only example that I have really seen.
http://bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5039155&postcount=49