So the Previous owner of my 528i did some modding, including audio stuff which has been a pain to undo to return the car to stock. so I have some questions, but first here is some info that may be helpful:

When I bought the car there was power to the head unit(it would turn on and off fine, however there was no noise from the speakers.

There was wiring throughout the fold down back seat and trunk area, clearly used for a non-stock sound system.

The speakers in the driver's door are Blanklaupt Overdrive, not Nokian like OEM should be.

I had a friend of a friend redo the wiring and plug everything back into the OEM DSP amp (the wiring had been cut).

I have not taken apart the rear door panels or trunk trim panel to see if those speakers/subs are OEM DSP, however I doubt they are.

As you may have gathered, this car is a complete audio mess
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So, What do I do now?

I would be fine with OEM DSP if the system is better than my current extremely muddy system. I listen to Techno, Classical, Pop, and a bit of Rap. As it is now Madonna's Confessions on the Dance Floor sounds like crap at the high and low ends. It is to the point that I don't listen to much besides the FM tuner stations since they don't sound absolutely horrid.

I come from a line of SAABs with Harmon/Kardon stereos, this aftermarket junk makes me ashamed when I can listen to Confessions on the Dance Floor in the SAAB and have some nice, smooth (not boomy) bass and clear highs.

Basically, what should I do? I am not very handy (yet) with my tools and my Bimmer. I would like to go OEM (the car came stock with DSP) but I fear that it would be a bit much to take on myself.

Thanks,
Wade

BTW: the current system makes me feel :(:(:(

First thing would be to get the OEM speakers installed again. It sounds like the PO already replaced all the speakers and probably re-wired everything. In cases like this, I usually just take the entire interior apart and re-do the entire installation.

You don't have a lot of options. The stock DSP amp isn't rated for use with 4ohm speakers (from what I've read) - only 8ohm given the opamp they chose.

I'd probably remove DSP completely and go with an aftermarket amp that uses the factory wiring...

d-

Thanks for the replies. I think I would like to go back to the stock setup. Is there anyway to tell if the interior wiring was redone?

Also, how much would a complete stock DSP speaker/sub set run (used of course)?

Thanks for the replies. I think I would like to go back to the stock setup. Is there anyway to tell if the interior wiring was redone?

Also, how much would a complete stock DSP speaker/sub set run (used of course)?

To check the wiring you would need to check all 8-10 interior speakers wire pairs for continuity from the trunk.

I would guess that a used set of DSP speakers would be in the range of $100 or so - the trick is finding someone who is replacing them before they throw them out. A used DSP sub will run another $150-200. A used DSP amp is about $200. I can't guess on a headunit. You'll also need to run additional wiring in the trunk - again I have no idea on the cost. Oh, and you'll also need to run additional wires to the front doors if you don't already have 3 speakers in each.

And after all that you will be left with muddy sound, but an equalizer. Don't say I didn't warn you :)

d-

www.car-part.com for all your used oem needs. (shhhhhhhhh!)

i recently purchased a cd player and mid unit w/ dsp for $125 shipped from a listing i found there - i'm willing to bet they've got the rest of the car if you need the speakers.