Yes its me again. After some help from Willy, Saeed, and my frere, I have decided to *attempt* to put in my own sub with amp. Without taking forever to explain, Im basically going to use a line out convertor (speaker level to RCA) from the rear speaker wires to get a signal to the sub amp. Now, the thing is where to get the remote turn on wire (I want to keep the stock head unit, so no solutions there). I figure I could just tap into the stock amp remote turn-on wire, or maybe even the cd changer remote turn-on wire (if for some reason I cant on the stock amp). Will this setup work? I dont want to spend a ton of time and money and be stopped by an amp that wont work. Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance.

P.S.
Could everyone post their amp (brand or whatever), I just want to see what everyone has out there.

I had that setup for a while before i got an aftermarket deck.

First i have a power wire from the amp to the battery then 2 connectors in the middle so i could pull it apart and turn off the amp. But then the connectors starting breaking off.

So i think replaced that with a swith that sat in my trunk, and wth te flip of a swith the subs were on/off. I got too lazyto open the trunk and turn it on so i had my cousin, who does all sorts of stereo installs actually did my system, wire it up to the center console so it was nice and easy to access

The third time i just had him wire it to the factory amp so whenever that would turn off so would the amp for the subs. I think this way worked the best.

If you want to get a switch just go to Kragen's or some auto shop and get a universal switch and some connectors to connect the battery and the amp to the switch.

The idea of hooking it up to the stock amp would work. As for my amp i have a Hi-Fonics cheapie amp, got it for real cheap. But you are getting an amp for your subs isn't that correct? Cuz you said you didn't want to get an amp and im not ure what you mean.

i have a sony xplode amp and 1 12" pioneer sub. i did exactly what u did. get more bass without spending big $$$.

i just wired the power,ground like usual. then the remote turn on wire is found in a bunch of wires in the trunk near the rear left speaker. theres like 20+ wires. the remote wire is the white one. i tried looking for a remote wire for the changer but it didnt have one. my changer is on all the time which means i can eject the cartridge even when the car is off. anyways, thats what i did and got the sound signals from the rear left speaker wire. the your done. easy.

You could find the pinouts for the factory amp right here
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/stereo/e36_200w_stereo_pinouts.gif
It worked for me when I replaced my factory amp and speakers.

the stock amp remote wire is easy to find.....its the only "white one"....all white. it'll be sitting in the lower harness. use a test light to make sure that's the one (wouldn't hurt)...read the link to the pinouts that the guy above gave.....should be cake....let us know how it goes.....=)

I have a Pioneer CD changer interfaced with the factory head unit in my E36. For reasons that I don't care to explore, the remote turn on wire(white, as seedster mentioned prior) didn't have the balls to turn on both my changer and my PPI amplifier. I could turn on one or the other... but not both. A Bosch relay was utilized and saved the day for me. You may want to consider using one. If you need specifics on wiring it up, feel free to mention.

Its teh white one in my E46. I tapped into it right around the stock amp area. I haev an Alpine amp (soon to be selling) and Infinity Kappa Perfect subs.

For reasons that I don't care to explore, the remote turn on wire(white, as seedster mentioned prior) didn't have the balls to turn on both my changer and my PPI amplifier.

I read on one of the Zapco tech notes that the white lead does not have adequate VOLTAGE to turn on many amps. Something like 11 volts, though I have never measured it. You need a relay as you have found.

Matthew

why keep stock headunit? replace would get you a better cd player, mp3, pre-outs, and remote turn-on! no dash kit either