hanleymr

I have a 2006 530d M Sport with the standard UK fit in-car audio, it's a great car but find the sound somewhat seriously lacking. I want to upgrade the system to one of the two UK options that can be specified at build:

(1) Hi-Fi Loudspeaker System (option 676); or
(2) Logic 7 System (option 677);

I understand from reading other posts that option 676 is standard on US models.

I have asked 2 dealers how I can get either option fitted and all have said that there are no 'retrofit kit's' available, I then contacted BMW HQ in the UK who have said that it's too complicated to retrofit.

I cannot beleive that the componenets are that hard to fit? Could I buy the bits seperately, can I fit them myself, would it need new wiring or iDrive programming?

Can anyone help me as to if it can be upgraded?

Alternatively

(a) Does anyone know if there any custom fit manufacturers out there that do a range of speakers and amp for the E60 that would offer some improvement (i'm not interested in cutting shelves etc.)?

(b) Does anyone know of UK (preferably East Anglia/South East) car audio specialists that do E60 audio upgrades?

Regards.

D_Sport

I am about to upgrade the existing set up in my 530d saloon also....but opting for replacing the components in teh front, having 2 amps and 2 subs etc......so depending on what you want there are plenty of options as stealth upgrades that will fit into your exiting speaker 'holes' without having to cut up doors and panels.

I get my work done from a place called Car Audio Innovations based just off Junc 9 M1 before Luton, check out their website...there is is some real show stuff on there but he does simple yet affective upgrades too (bit like what I am going for)

www.caraudioinnovations.co.uk
Tel:

Ask to speak to Paul, and mention my name (Harv - with the Silver/Grey 530d he is doing some work on next month)

olli_535d

This one in Reading has a good name, too.
Have seen a complete re-install work in a brand new E92.

I am thinking along the same lines and will probably contact them shortly.

Sorry, forgot the link

http://www.icecoldaudio.co.uk/

E60BEEMER

considering it, but im not that much into loud music as i was maybe 9-10 years ago

try

SOUND ADVICE ON

020 8504 5444
Sound Advice 688-690 Chigwell Rd Woodford Green, IG8 8AH

The ultimate professionals, however they do chrge a bit from what i remember!!!!

zimguy

Good topic..seems a few of us are having similar thoughts.

I have the standard pants system in my 5.30 and its driving me insane because it is seriously faulty and BMW do not seem able to fix it despite having the car for about 4 weeks.

I have contacted my local specialist car audio place (who do alot of work for Aston and Bentley) and they have told me about 2 tried and tested aftermarket options.

The whole thing seems to hinge on what level of functionality and integration with the iDrive and steering controls you wish to retain.

I will get the correct names today when I go in and see them, but the principle of what they told me is this.....

Option 1 - some sort of device/modulator that captures the BMW audio output, modulates it correctly for aftermarket amps etc and then allows you to fit a complete new set of amps and speakers to your own taste. Downside..you are still using the BMW head unit(s) for cd,mp3 and radio. Plus side...you can keep your iDive and steering controls and get rid of all the BMW speakers and amps.

Option 2 - Apparently it is a super-duper head unit which does not have a display. it is hidden in the car and integrates into the BMW iDrive screen to use as its display. It is controlled of a smaller version of the iDrive jog-dial. It very feature-rich and will allow TV,DVD,DVD navigation,MP3 etc etc. Your BMW kit becomes redundant. So basically it is a stealth install of a complete new audio setup which is all hidden and just uses the iDrive screen. Downside...still need an answer as to what happens to all the other BMW non-audio devices which are controlled through iDrive, no in-dash single CD drive, no steering controls. Plus side....feature rich good quality head unit which can be upgraded, added to and removed as and when needed.

I will be finding out more later today and will post the correct names of the parts and give a clearer idea of the options if anyone is interested.

Maybe others here could do the same ?

BrianC

I'm also currently investigating my options as to upgrading the audio and video in my 525D. I'm going to keep the iDrive as I quite like it and I've just had a iPod gateway 500 installed.

I'm looking at adding the ACM unit so I can display video on the main screen then getting my current rear screens fitted into the rear of the front seats.

On the audio side as I'm stuck with the stock head unit I'm looking at adding in some decent amplifiers, replacement speakers and a sub or two in the boot. If anybody has identified replacement speakers that fit without cutting I'd be grateful for some links to them so I can see if they will be suitable for my install.

These are the amps that I'm looking at:

http://www.i-sotec.de/

They are meant to plug directly into the wiring loom, but I'm not sure if they are just getting speaker level output from the amp or are proper line level outputs?

D_Sport

Focal have a range of 4" Component speakers which are of very high quality that fit straight into the doors and are of very slim structure.

The contraption that makes all these amps etc compatible with the existing system and controllable from the i-drive is known as a 'cleansweep'

Hope that helps.

Any guys around London or even en-route to the midlands on the M1 - I urge you to use caraudio innovations, they really are excellent. Paul (the owner/director) knows what he is talking about, his service is second to none and to top it off he is very reasonable considering the quality of his work.

.....for the record NO I am not on commision! lol

E60BEEMER

im watching this thread carefully, as this is one that will catch most ppls eye, come on, we got to admit it, the standard sound setup in the E60s is a JOKE....!!! utter crap

We have no chioce but to change, even if your not into sound (subs etc)

BrianC

Thanks for that, I'll add them to my list.

zimguy

OK

So just back from the Audio outfitter and here is what I have found.

Harv is spot on...per my Option 1 above, the device is called cleansweep and is pretty awesome. Made by JL. About ?300 from my guy (dont know if thats good or not) Overall doing a cleansweep install, JL 4 way AMP, JL speakers (tweeters and mid range driver + crossover) in the front with customer door mounts,JL speakers in the rear and finally a JL 12 inch sub in the boot with customer enclosure/box + install and cables ?2.5k

The device I mentioned in my above Option 2 is an Alpine HUB unit...again sounds very good but is much more pricey. As I said, it uses the Idrive screen and has its own jog dial. You dont lose the single disk in dash cd (but as the guy said...would be pointless using it as audio would not be as nice as from the Alpine 6 disc changer). Another bonus is that you can tab/switch between the Alpine HUB display and the iDrive display by hitting a switch on the HUB jog dial unit. This seems the best to me, but is out of my price range at the mo. Can always go with the cleansweep and then upgrade to the HUB later if I need/want to.

Hope this helps people out there...as E60BEEMER said...the standard radio is naff.

Now I need to go and chat to my minister of finance and see what she will allow me to spend

Anyone here have a cleansweep or Alpine HUB system and can tell us what its like ??