XSeries-forum

Having an idea that I would like to throw at the experts here.
My bm24 is acting up, I'm thinking of a long term solution and improvement.
Also I don't have a subwoofer now, just the 6 speakers (haven't checked inside the doors).

My plan:
Get a bm54, make pre-out RCA connectors.
With a seperate amp (6 channel to include the subwofer, or a 4 channel), power the door speakers through the original cabling.
With a seperate amp (the same as above or a 2 channel), buy and power the original subwoofer.

Is this a good idea?
What can the cables and the factory door speakers handle?
I also haven't found any info on the original subwoofer, but I guess that is the easiest way to go...
When the original speakers finally give up, I can always replace them with better.

Hi mate, this is gonna be a bit of a long winded reply but:

Have you ever considered moving away from the original head unit altogether, when i bought my X5 i had the original head unit and it was in the same week that the analogue tv signal was stopped. The previous owner also never supplied me with the Navigation Disc, so that never worked either, and to be honest the only thing the BMW Head unit was good for was adjusting the settings if needed in the car as my pixels on my speedo had also gone.

I decided to buy the Pioneer AVH-8400bt, i have kept the original head unit and all the other equipment ie the dvd unit, nav system etc that if i sell the car and the new owner wants all the original equipment they can.

Cons:

1)With my pixels still not repaired I can no longer do no adjusting if needed, butonce i have the speedo done this should not be a problem.

2)You have to buy a Facia adapter which can cost anything from £40 to £120 (shop around)

3)Steering control interface £20

4)Complete Loom £50 to £100 (shop around) This was a job and a half to install as all the equipment for the X5 is in the boot so this lead has to be run from the front to the rear.


Pros: (to me anyway)

1)Improved the actual sounds of the factory speakers, i did replace the standard factory amp and bought an Alpine PMX-F640 which is only 4 x 50w but it takes the strain off the headunit. The headunit has a built in equalizer, slave amp gain, Loudness etc it will make your factory speakers sound 100 x better than they do.

2)built in bluetoooth and phone book log allows you to transfer your phones contacts to the stereo via bluetooth and except and make calls from the headunit.

3) plays all formats mp3, divx, avi, mp4, its endless

4) ipod and iphone ready, i personally do not own an iphone but i do have an ipod and this works 100% with the headunit all menus are available Albums, songs, artist etc.

*if you do own an iphone 4 and up you can use an app called appradio which will make all your apps work through the head unit, ie navigation

5)I had to buy the following off ebay and it is made in china

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331032965565? ... 1423.l2649

but this system has two very nice small antennas and gives me all the freeview channels even on the go and is a lot cheaper and better than the BMW equivalent which is 10x the price.

6)lastly if you want bass you might have to buy a sub, which i already had, as my X5 did not come with one. depending on how you like or if you even like Bass this is down to your budget i had a Kicker 15" in my last car and an amp so this was easy to just install. by the way the set has several pre outs which help.


Its up to you but i rate the original speakers with the original head unit about a 4/10
after with my pioneer and equipment 9/10 i would give them a 10 but the tweeters/mids at the front on the dash cannot take very high frequencies and splash/distort sometimes these are the only speakers i would change in the car and will when i get time.

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Thank you for your very clear explanation! :bigthanx:
This is certainly I can use for making a decision.
At the moment my failing bm24 radio is very annoying.  :rant: