[clinton.white]

Not sure how much we can really make of this, but I have just received this communication from BMW U.K.

Thank you for your online communication dated August 5, 2013.

I have been advised by our Product Department that the Alpine audio retrofit kit is currently only available for the left hand drive 3 Series Saloon. There are currently no plans to produce it for the right hand drive version, however, I would advise contacting your local BMW dealership at regular intervals, in case this situation should change.

I am sorry that this may not be the response you had anticipated, however, I trust that you will find this information of use. Please do not hesitate to contact me, if you require further assistance.

[Torque of the Devil]

I'd love to know how its different in a left hand drive car

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

I'd love to know how its different in a left hand drive car

Wiring loom most likely, I had this when I bought PDC sensors for my E46.

I would be tempted to but the LHD version and modify.

[RobUK]

Strikes me that both BMW and the dealer network could cash in by taking into account customer's willingness to retrofit options and designing the car in a modular way so that these can be fitted easily after the car is built.

Instead it seems they ain't got a feckin clue!

[jamesems]

anyone have a source on this upgrade other than ebay?

[jakeb1]

toying with buying this

http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/pr...-Sedan-12-F30/


Installation is simple and completely removable with no wire cutting etc

http://vimeo.com/69531177

Sound on my business system is not really up to scratch particularly on radio. We have a skoda fabia runabout and the sound in that is better!

It is however $800! And they dont seem to do an F31 version yet (although what is the difference? Come to think of it the video shows speakers in the parcel shelf of the saloon - where are the Tourings?

[jamesems]

Originally Posted by jakeb1

toying with buying this

http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/pr...-Sedan-12-F30/


Installation is simple and completely removable with no wire cutting etc

http://vimeo.com/69531177

Sound on my business system is not really up to scratch particularly on radio. We have a skoda fabia runabout and the sound in that is better!

It is however $800! And they dont seem to do an F31 version yet (although what is the difference? Come to think of it the video shows speakers in the parcel shelf of the saloon - where are the Tourings?

But I hear (no pun intended) that an amplifier upgrade is the key

[jakeb1]

They didn't seem to think so, and when you see the quality of the speakers in the video you can see why it sounds crap!

I'm not looking for the best sound on earth, just something that sounds half decent like the standard system on the Audi A4

[jamesems]

Originally Posted by jakeb1

They didn't seem to think so, and when you see the quality of the speakers in the video you can see why it sounds crap!

I'm not looking for the best sound on earth, just something that sounds half decent like the standard system on the Audi A4

i'll need to check that video....did you see the alpine retro?

[jakeb1]

I saw one Alpine thingy that required a controller screen in the glovebox. Looked overly complicated to me considering in the good old days, just putting some decent speakers in a car with a half decent head unit used to have a reasonable outcome.

The HiFi system already has an amp over the UK standard system so I would have though speakers would do the trick

[jamesems]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151094567914...84.m1423.l2649

this one

i have the HiFi too i may just do the bsw too

[mproudfoot]

Originally Posted by jakeb1

Come to think of it the video shows speakers in the parcel shelf of the saloon - where are the Tourings?

Hmm, I thought business was a central dash-top speaker, 2x tweeters in the front door pillars, 2x subs under the seats and then a mid in all four doors. Could be wrong but it seems to match with the BSW non-HK speaker setup.

[jakeb1]

Originally Posted by mproudfoot

Hmm, I thought business was a central dash-top speaker, 2x tweeters in the front door pillars, 2x subs under the seats and then a mid in all four doors. Could be wrong but it seems to match with the BSW non-HK speaker setup.

Just watched the video again and the rear speakers are for HK cars

[mproudfoot]

I fired a message to Bavsound about the BSW upgrade to the BMW Business HiFi - specifically regarding the F31. The reply said that they believe the kit should work without issue but as they don't have this model over there, they can't test/confirm 100%. However, they did offer to drop 10% off the price if I want to be the first to try (plus the cost of shipment if there's any issue with the fitment).

I'm not really in a position to order atm (not expecting to take delivery of my car until Oct) but if anyone is interested, I'm sure Bavsound would be happy to discuss the offer.

I'm curious to know how big a difference changing the door speakers/tweeters would really make.. the speakers in the video certainly look better than the BMW kit but that's no guarantee of significant improvement (especially if the amp and subs are the same).

[clinton.white]

I had an electronic conversation with BSW with regard to installing the stage 1 upgrade into my bog standard system and they came back with $679 plus $150 shipping!! Then there would have been V.A.T. on top of that, I suppose.

That was just for 4 mid range speakers (1 in each door) and the 2 tweeters in each front door frame - I would have needed to buy the trim for the hi-fi equipped cars to give me the grill and tweeter fixings. I think that these were about £20 each.

It is a lot to spend for a speaker upgrade and they said that they do not have such a basic system over there in their cars to test it out properly. That is why I was looking at the Alpine retrofit.

I do not really know much about hi-fi stuff but the Alpine system seems to do an amplifier and just front speaker upgrade and the BSW stage 1 does just speakers???

I think that is says something when the basic 6 speaker system was deemed to bad to put in American cars, so they got the hi-fi spec as standard!!

Maybe I am missing something??

I might go to an indy car audio place and see what they have to offer for about £600 - £800?

[jakeb1]

Had the same conversation (mine is HiFi) and was offered 10% off $800 plus $150 shipping. I reckoned it was going to be £600 which does seem a lot for speakers although I guess it has been all worked out for you.

Maybe I will put some sound insulation behind the existing door speakers and see what effect it has!

I think it is a genuinely good kit but it just on the verge of being too expensive......

[jakeb1]

was having a read around and various installers saying the first thing to do is junk the door speakers for Focal 100KRS. eg

http://www.audiofile-incar.co.uk/ind...d=46&Itemid=83

They didnt look a direct fit without some prior knowledge to me but then I came across these

http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/focal...l#.UgqstdJeYVU

However by the time you have 2 x kits and then figured out what to do with the centre one you are not a million miles of BSW. But then perhaps just doing the fronts will make a significant difference

[styles997]

just sent Focal an email asking if Focal IFBMW-S are still a direct replacement for the F30 series. All the blurb says they are for <E92

[Hprice1099]

Any more news anyone?

[clinton.white]

My Local BMW dealer is still saying that they are not in the latest parts catalogue update and the last email that I got from BMW UK said there are no plans to market one for right hand drive cars!

I spoke with a car audio specialist down in Surrey and they said that they could install an upgrade based around an Alpine amplifier and speakers (similar to the BMW upgrade) for about £1K.
Obviously, the good thing about the BMW upgrade is that it does not affect the new car warrenty!

I spent about 5 hours in the car in various traffic jams last Friday and the music just sounded quite harsh and bland after a couple of hours or so - I ended up turning it off!

I am still unsure what to do really, as I would like to upgrade the sound system but not spend too much as I do not anticipate keeping the car for more than 3 years (at the moment anyway)!

I have been looking into some new speakers from Rainbow specifically for the F series cars, but there is not much information on them around the web!
The speakers are drop in without any modifications required but people seem to say that you really need an amplifier to drive them properly!

I only have the basic 6 speaker system but I purchased new door seals / trim that will allow tweeters to be placed in the inside corner of the window.

I looked at BSW as they seem to suggest that you get a good improvement with just fitting their speakers and they are quickly and easily fitted (and removed) but the kit is for the U.S. hi-fi based cars and the cost of shipping and import tax makes it prohibitive?

Maybe I just need to take the plunge but it will mean putting an amplifier in, I think, and spending about £1K

Thoughts please anyone - maybe I am missing something?

[jakeb1]

From memory, I understood that the BSW kit was based on Rainbow speakers.......

[clinton.white]

Thanks for the information jakeb1.

I have read this in a couple of other forums, if I remember correctly, but not sure if it holds true now?

Thanks Again