How can I tell if my stock car stereo has an external amp?

[fukinay]

I have a year 2000 BMW 323ci station wagon. The stereo seems very stock to me. It's the "Business CD" version. It's not Harmon Kardon. But there are a total of 10 speakers:

Front: 2 midbass, 2 midrange, and 2 tweeters

Back: 2 midbass (located in the "trunk area", 2 midrange)

I was told by a Best Buy Geek Squad dude over the phone that he's never heard of a stereo with that many speakers running on the head unit's amp. He said it likely has a separate amp they'd have to work around for installation of an after-market head unit. The installation costs if there is no separate amp is FREE, but if they have to work around it, it will be close to $180 (about the price of head units I'm looking at). He said there's no way of telling unless he takes out the head unit to check. They will charge $25 to do this if I decide not to go with the $180 extra installation.

Is there an easier I can tell if there's an amp or not? I bought the car used a few days ago. Thanks.

Click to read more...

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Call BMW and give them the serial # and they can tell you..But then again..that many speakers..Im sure that the HU has either an internal amp or external amp just under the dash.Spend the $25 to find out or pull it yourself.Anything can happen in 15 years.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Nice car by the way.. if i ever bought a wagon it would be a BMW or Saab,or the new Toyota Azena?