First of all, sorry about making a psuedo-double post. I originally put these questions up with another one of my posts in the 7-series forum, but I thought I might be able to get better advice here. I just brought this car, a '96 740iL (e38) without DSP, and I love it except for the sound setup. Since I just got the car, I'm slightly reluctant to start tearing things up 'just to look', so I was hoping for some advice from people a little more experienced with the audio setups in these cars.

I'm trying to avoid adding a new head unit, since I want to keep the stock look and functionality. I'm going for a SQ system, so I want to replace the cabin speakers, add a new amp to power the speakers, and put in a subwoofer.

So, what's the setup like on a non-DSP 740iL? What would the easiest way of hooking an aftermarket amp up to the factory head unit be? Obviously it'll require a bit of rewiring, but I don't mind - I'd rather add my own wiring anyway. Any advice for me?

(also, can anyone tell me what the factory speaker size is? Looks like 5-1/4"?)

I hate doing this, but here's a *bump* because I need the advice. It's not easy to find this kind of info on e38's online and I'd like to avoid a situation where my limited knowledge results in a serious (read: costly) screw-up.

If no one can answer my original questions, can you guys at least tell me this: does the stock (non-DSP) sound system in a '96 e38 use a seperate amp or are the speakers powered through the head unit? If there's a seperate amp, I would assume it's located in the trunk? I'm trying to determine, at the very least, what I need to rip up to get at the thing I'm trying to replace. I'd rather not pull apart all of the trim and carpet in the trunk looking for something that isn't there. Plus, if there's already an amp in the trunk, I'm not going to waste my time pulling up carpets in the car to get at speaker wires. If they're already routed to the trunk then I'm just going to leave them.

Also, I would guess the connection from the head unit to the amp (if there is indeed a seperate amp) is speaker level and not line level?

I'd really appreciate some advice. Even if you don't own or aren't familiar with the e38 I'd appreciate some general advice on how BMW does their stereos. Thanks!

In the E36, even the entry level radio has an amp in the trunk, so I would have to assume that a 7 series has a separate amp too. The E36 amp in in the trunk behind the liner above the driver's side wheel well. So if you open the trunk, try getting behind the liner on the left side above the wheel, or somewhere around there.

This is just a suggestion, it could really be anywhere in the car from under the dash/behind the glovebox, under the rear deck, under the rear seat, who knows? Maybe it is worth a call to the local dealership to ask them where it is located.

As for sound quality, the weakest point on a E36 is the head unit. It filters out some of the high frequencies, so just replacing the head unit maks the system quite a bit better. Sorry to burst your bubble, but if you really want better SQ, you *may* have to get a new head unit.

Originally posted by AudioMan
In the E36, even the entry level radio has an amp in the trunk, so I would have to assume that a 7 series has a separate amp too. The E36 amp in in the trunk behind the liner above the driver's side wheel well. So if you open the trunk, try getting behind the liner on the left side above the wheel, or somewhere around there.

Yes! Thankyou! Found it, hidden right behind the factory CD changer. Getting that carpet trim panel out around it was a bitch, though.

As for sound quality, the weakest point on a E36 is the head unit. It filters out some of the high frequencies, so just replacing the head unit maks the system quite a bit better. Sorry to burst your bubble, but if you really want better SQ, you *may* have to get a new head unit.

Well, I'm willing to accept that as a possibility. If need be, I'll replace the head unit. For now, I'm going to add in two aftermarket amps (one to power the front speakers, one for an aftermarket subwoofer) and change up the front speakers. If I'm not happy once that's done, I'll just bite the bullet and put a new head unit in.

It's not keeping the stock look that bothers me, since there's a wood trim panel that slides down to cover where I'd have to put an aftermarket head unit anyway, but having non-functional controls inside the cabin would annoy me. That is, having the MID in the dash no longer capable of controlling the radio, for example, and the left side steering wheel controls essentially becoming useless.

Anyway, thanks for the advice!

EDIT: On a slightly related note, I've noticed that the biggest problem with the factory system on my e38 seems to be a serious lack of low-end. Not so much that it's lacking in 'bump' (although it is), but that it seems to be completely missing out on some lower frequency bass. This is why I was hoping that an amp/speaker/subwoofer upgrade would solve my problem. I'm fully prepared to be wrong, though. ;)

I just added an amp/sub combo off of the factory HK radio and have been happy enough. When listening to CD's the highs seem to be great, but with the radio they seem muffled. You should be pretty happy with the new anps and speakers and it is understandable why you would want to retain the factory controls on the steering wheel.

Is your CD changer on the U.S. Drivers side or passenger side. The E36 has the changer mounted above the battery tray on the right side of the trunk when looking in from the rear.

Originally posted by AudioMan
Is your CD changer on the U.S. Drivers side or passenger side. The E36 has the changer mounted above the battery tray on the right side of the trunk when looking in from the rear.

U.S. driver's side, on the left when looking from the back.

It's mounted vertically (obviously) so the changer's door is looking up at you when you pull down the little trim door above it. After getting all of the carpet trim along the CD changer out I can see the factory amp, also mounted vertically, 'behind' the CD changer (that is, it's closer to the outside of the car). It looks like the wiring harnesses are pretty easily accessible, so hopefully this won't be too hard. I have a feeling I'll just have to experiment to determine which speaker wires are for each speaker, though...

EDIT: Oh, out of curiosity, what amp/subwoofer combo did you end up using?

You never know, but the two amps may be the same. See if this link looks familiar at all with your setup. It is for the 10 speaker speaker HK system in my car.

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/stereo/e36_200w_stereo_pinouts.gif

Audioman, you're my new hero.

I wrote down the wire colors last time I was out there checking and that looks perfect. You, sir, kick ass. :D

I've been searching, and haven't found out if 6.5's will fit in the front doors. I am installing a new system in my E38 and have some left over 6.5's that I used to have in a different car that I want to put up front..I also have some 5 1/4's that I want to put in the rear doors. The 5 1/4's should fit without problem.

I'm not sure of the mounting depth. Will deeper speakers (Boston Acousitc Pro-Series) fit in the factory door locations??

From what I've read, I'll need to simply take out the rear-deck speakers to allow my subwoofers to come through into the cabin. Right? I have a pair of Diamond 10" M6 subs...I hope I can find a good place to hide them :eyecrazy

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/652272/3

5 1/4 will fit in the doors with some mods.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/652272/3

5 1/4 will fit in the doors with some mods.
nice link man, thanks!