04-29-2016, 12:27 PM | #1 |
Captain
463
Rep 938
Posts |
Bimmer-Tech - Amp Upgrade - Base Stereo Only (F3x / F8x)
Following the HiFi thread for the Bimmer-Tech, I'd like to start one for the base stereo users such as myself.
I've just placed an order for the Bimmer-Tech Premium Audio kit and I'm very excited to receive it and I'll be working very closely with Bimmer-Tech to set-up an optimal installation in my base stereo car. While you pay a little more than the standard kit, you also receive everything necessary to install the amplifier to your F3x series including the longer harness, cradle and more. Keep in mind however, I do have a Bavsound Stage 1, and Bimmer-Tech also recommend upgrading the speakers if you decide to choose a Premium Audio kit. If you too have a base stereo car and have chosen to install this kit, it would be great to hear about your experiences, hints and tips installing it (especially in an F31 like mine), and it would be great to share DSP set-up files. (Especially if you have a Bavsound Stage 1 kit installed).
__________________
Current car: 2017 BMW G30 520d M-Sport, BMW F46 218d Grand Tourer
Previous cars: 1989 BMW E30 316i, 1998 BMW E36 323i Coupe M Sport, 2009 BMW E87 116d, 2013 BMW F31 320d M-Sport |
05-01-2016, 06:44 AM | #2 |
Private First Class
12
Rep 100
Posts |
I have a F36 and I also have base stereo. I'm waiting on a few parts from BMW to have all the goodies to start the upgrade: bimmertech amp+harness, BAV stage 1 speakers + underseat subs.
Is it ok if I post my pictures of the install in this thread? Last edited by GeertB; 05-01-2016 at 07:08 AM.. |
Appreciate
1
|
05-01-2016, 10:35 AM | #3 | |
Captain
463
Rep 938
Posts |
Quote:
Looking forward to your updates. I'm anxiously waiting for my amp and kit to turn up....
__________________
Current car: 2017 BMW G30 520d M-Sport, BMW F46 218d Grand Tourer
Previous cars: 1989 BMW E30 316i, 1998 BMW E36 323i Coupe M Sport, 2009 BMW E87 116d, 2013 BMW F31 320d M-Sport |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-03-2016, 03:31 PM | #4 |
Major
593
Rep 1,296
Posts |
Hey I've just completed the upgrade from Base Stereo last weekend with the bimmertech kit, let me know if I can be of help
Be prepared for a few hours of work On my side I have the Focal 100KRS set for front speakers, and Focal IFBMW-Sub for underseat subs. Good place to start: But they only cover the trunk part for those who have Hifi. Another useful thread on another forum: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=692688 Last edited by Lancelot; 05-03-2016 at 03:43 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
05-03-2016, 04:59 PM | #5 |
Private
10
Rep 51
Posts |
Ill be doing the same for my base stereo F31 soon too..
Have the Bimmertech amp & additional harness. Tweeter door trims on order. Speakers will be using Focal 100krs & the Focal IF under seat subs. All run active to the amp. Be interested any links to where the harness to the boot usually lies. Last edited by evobda2; 05-03-2016 at 05:20 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
05-03-2016, 10:37 PM | #6 | |
Private First Class
10
Rep 142
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-04-2016, 12:45 AM | #7 | |
Major
593
Rep 1,296
Posts |
Quote:
Basically the bimmertech amp takes the 4 channels from the head unit, amplifies them and sends them back into the original BMW wiring going to the subs first then to the doors. This uses the first four A, B, C, D channels. It then has 4 more channels available (E, F, G, H), the harness provides additional dedicated wiring for the subswoofers (E,F) + 1 center channel (G); Channel H is not wired. Technically you could probably run G and H channels to the front tweeters and setup the DSP to do the crossover internally, but it's going to require additional work from you, not sure the result is worth it. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-04-2016, 04:13 AM | #8 | |
Captain
463
Rep 938
Posts |
Quote:
2x Front mid-range + tweeters 2x Rear mid-range 2x Under-seat subs
__________________
Current car: 2017 BMW G30 520d M-Sport, BMW F46 218d Grand Tourer
Previous cars: 1989 BMW E30 316i, 1998 BMW E36 323i Coupe M Sport, 2009 BMW E87 116d, 2013 BMW F31 320d M-Sport |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-04-2016, 05:49 AM | #9 | ||
Private First Class
10
Rep 142
Posts |
Quote:
|
||
Appreciate
0
|
05-04-2016, 05:50 AM | #10 | ||
Private First Class
10
Rep 142
Posts |
Quote:
|
||
Appreciate
0
|
05-04-2016, 06:17 AM | #11 |
Major
593
Rep 1,296
Posts |
In the attached picture you see the harness I got from bimmertech:
It's got a 4x2 connector going to the amp for outputs E,F,G,H, and only E,F,G are wired. E,F have terminals for subs, G wire is bare (red/black wire at the top of the picture) But there is no wiring for channel H at all : if you were to use G, H outputs for tweeters you'd need the H channel to be wired as well, and I don't know how to do that properly. On my side I actually installed the Focal 100KRS 3 months ago, so there was no question of getting a signal from the amp to the tweeters directly at this point. |
Appreciate
0
|
05-04-2016, 10:08 AM | #12 | |
Private First Class
10
Rep 142
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-04-2016, 12:43 PM | #13 |
Major
593
Rep 1,296
Posts |
Something very close to this:
Taken from this page: http://www.audiofile-incar.co.uk/ind...=80&Itemid=118 Not my own car but I did the same |
Appreciate
0
|
05-04-2016, 02:02 PM | #14 | |
Private First Class
10
Rep 142
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-04-2016, 02:21 PM | #15 | |
Major
593
Rep 1,296
Posts |
Quote:
You have a wiring diagram here (figure J) http://www.manualslib.com/manual/457...?page=5#manual |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-04-2016, 02:57 PM | #16 | |
Major
593
Rep 1,296
Posts |
Quote:
This is good to begin with: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=692688 So starting from the back of the car, to easily run the wires, remove the part number 9 in the diagram by pulling the upper part towards you, then slide upwards http://www.realoem.com/bmw/fr/showpa...diagId=52_3785 Then run the wires under the plastic trims from there all the way to the front remove piece #3, #4 in first diagram and #3 in second diagram (arrow indicates front of the car): Then running next to the hood lever (that you need to unscrew), under piece #1 here: going up under the steering column removing screws that hold piece #5 in next diagram, then all the way behind the iDrive When you're at the point of running cables behind the idrive head unit, this tutorial is useful: Last edited by Lancelot; 05-04-2016 at 03:06 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-04-2016, 03:39 PM | #17 | ||
Private First Class
10
Rep 142
Posts |
Quote:
|
||
Appreciate
0
|
05-06-2016, 08:05 AM | #18 |
Captain
463
Rep 938
Posts |
Killing me softly!
My Bimmer-Tech amp is currently stuck in customs. I guess I have to wait for them to finish picking their noses before I can go and collect it. So close, yet so far!!!
__________________
Current car: 2017 BMW G30 520d M-Sport, BMW F46 218d Grand Tourer
Previous cars: 1989 BMW E30 316i, 1998 BMW E36 323i Coupe M Sport, 2009 BMW E87 116d, 2013 BMW F31 320d M-Sport |
Appreciate
0
|
05-07-2016, 05:57 AM | #19 | |
Private First Class
12
Rep 100
Posts |
Quote:
Last edited by GeertB; 05-07-2016 at 06:31 AM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-16-2016, 06:35 AM | #20 |
Captain
463
Rep 938
Posts |
It's arrived....
Looks like this weekend should be entertaining
__________________
Current car: 2017 BMW G30 520d M-Sport, BMW F46 218d Grand Tourer
Previous cars: 1989 BMW E30 316i, 1998 BMW E36 323i Coupe M Sport, 2009 BMW E87 116d, 2013 BMW F31 320d M-Sport |
Appreciate
0
|
05-16-2016, 11:34 AM | #21 |
Private First Class
12
Rep 100
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-16-2016, 11:40 AM | #22 |
Private First Class
12
Rep 100
Posts |
Some pictures from what I gathered until now:
Bimmertech package (for base stereo upgrade): Screws for the center channel: Connector for center channel. The bimmertech harness is completely P&P except for the center channel wiring. It is also better to get the wire where you want it without the connector attached. Center channel cover This is the Hifi cover. HK cover looks different. This cover is the new version (from 2014). It has other clips in other places than the former one. I will post a digital cut-out template when I finish it. (I scanned the cover and am making a digital autocad drawing of it so I can 100% match the cut out template for the dash) BAVsound stage one: Midrange driver (for center channel): You can see the adaptor ring that is needed The green connector goes to the bimmertech harness. The black can be used for an extra tweeter for a HK upgrade You see the connector of the BAVsound speaker fits the BMW connector: Tweeters: In the new OEM housings: The included capacitor harness (much smaller as the crossover pictured above, I hope it does the same ) Ready to be installed: Midrange driver pair (front or rear speakers) Also here you can see the black wire that goes to the tweeter. In the rear doors you can add a tweeter if you want (HK setup) My second hand hifi subs: And last but not least: BAVsound Ghost subs Oh, I forgot: some insulation: |
Appreciate
1
Hanzo Nagamoto14.00 |
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|