Just some hypothetical questions...

[sjv13 10+ year member]

1) What are your guys' thoughts on putting a nice stereo in a sports car? In this case, an e46 BMW M3. It's a "driver's car" and it's decently noise b/c of engine and exhaust, but it would still be nice to be able to jam out hardcore in it.

2) What's the cost of having a car audio shop (a good one) that does custom work put in door panels or speaker pods that will allow me to run whatever speakers I choose and sound good doing so? Maybe put in 6.5" or 8" subs in the doors?

3) Is it okay to run those subs in the doors with a 12" on around 1000-1500rms in the trunk? I know you're not supposed to mix sub sizes, but I feel this is different.

4) On Crutchfield, when I put in this car (e46 M3) it says installation of any aftermarket HU will require fabrication of mounts, etc.... what does this really mean, and can I just buy something that's already made or do I really have to fabricate or have someone else fabricate something?

I dont own this car yet, but I plan to some day and I was just curious how this is all going to pan out.

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[TaylorFade 10+ year member]

[quote name='sjv13']1) What are your guys' thoughts on putting a nice stereo in a sports car? In this case, an e46 BMW M3. It's a "driver's car" and it's decently noise b/c of engine and exhaust, but it would still be nice to be able to jam out hardcore in it.

As long as it's done tastefully... I say go for it. It's not an 'M' but I'm doing a system in my 135i as we speak. It's a BMW. Treat it as such.

2) What's the cost of having a car audio shop (a good one) that does custom work put in door panels or speaker pods that will allow me to run whatever speakers I choose and sound good doing so? Maybe put in 6.5" or 8" subs in the doors?

Jehnhart makes door cards. I don't know if they make them for the e46, but it's worth looking into if double door mounted woofers are something you're interested in. Otherwise... expect to pay $400-500+ for custom door panels.

3) Is it okay to run those subs in the doors with a 12" on around 1000-1500rms in the trunk? I know you're not supposed to mix sub sizes, but I feel this is different.

I wouldn't. There is some merit to bass "confusion" (the actual term escapes me) but without enough proper processing, it'd probably sound like booty.

4) On Crutchfield, when I put in this car (e46 M3) it says installation of any aftermarket HU will require fabrication of mounts, etc.... what does this really mean, and can I just buy something that's already made or do I really have to fabricate or have someone else fabricate something?

Again... I don't know about the e46, but my car... the OEM HU has to stay to facilitate some of the software upgrades and a lot of the car's "computer" stuff. Best bet is to leave the OEM and get a processor and amps. or, look into it. Maybe you can replace it.

Now that I think about it... "nutnbutcustoms" on here has an e46. Maybe he'll chime in.

I dont own this car yet, but I plan to some day and I was just curious how this is all going to pan out.[/QUOTE]

@nutnbutcustm;

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

@TaylorFade; awesome. Thanks for the info. What about just going with a 3-way component set up in the doors and having a nice brute of a sub in the trunk? I listen to a lot of rap, so the 8" door subs wouldnt really cut it for me I dont think. I just want that really nice "2x4 in the chest" tight, sharp bass that seems to elude me, and thought maybe the door subs would bring that. I guess that's the trade off for having nice boom and decent SPL levels.

 

[SounDrive Pro Seller]

[quote name='sjv13']@TaylorFade; awesome. Thanks for the info. What about just going with a 3-way component set up in the doors and having a nice brute of a sub in the trunk? I listen to a lot of rap, so the 8" door subs wouldnt really cut it for me I dont think. I just want that really nice "2x4 in the chest" tight, sharp bass that seems to elude me, and thought maybe the door subs would bring that. I guess that's the trade off for having nice boom and decent SPL levels.[/QUOTE]

"door subs" are often used for midbass, like you said using a 3 way front stage. A good substage will get plenty loud without any extra subs in the doors

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

"door subs" are often used for midbass, like you said using a 3 way front stage. A good substage will get plenty loud without any extra subs in the doors

Yeah, the purpose of my "door subs" isnt really to have SPL in the doors... it's just to have good low range extension up near the front. I feel like my current set up is missing something between what my 6.5 comps do and what my 12" sub does.

 

[Lexicon740iL 10+ year member]

1. Yes put a stereo in an e46 M3

2. Depends on what you do....Good work is not generally cheap work so to speak. If time and fiberglass are involved easily 500+

3. No worries if done right anything is possible

4. The e46 dash requires modification or an aftermarket bracket. It's not your standard metra kit you can grab at best buy or anything. But they are out there.

There are also drop ins for cars that came with navi that are the same size as the OEM screen.

I had an 04 E46 M3 that I loved but it was mainly for track so I never put sounds in mine but if it was a daily driver I sure would.

Vorsteiner C.F. everything FTW

 

[NIHL8ION]

I've had success mixing different sub sizes in the same vehicle if set up properly //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[nutnbutcustm 10+ year member]

I'm in the process of building a sq setup in my e46 m3 running Tantric 6 1/2 in the doors (fiberglass enclosure) Tantric softdome mids and Tantric tweeters molded into the a pillar, single 10" Tantric ld in the trunk on relatively low power. I also have a track setup on my car but I always want the best of both worlds. I will start a build log on here soon.

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

I'm in the process of building a sq setup in my e46 m3 running Tantric 6 1/2 in the doors (fiberglass enclosure) Tantric softdome mids and Tantric tweeters molded into the a pillar, single 10" Tantric ld in the trunk on relatively low power. I also have a track setup on my car but I always want the best of both worlds. I will start a build log on here soon.

That sounds amazing. But I think I'd have to put a 12" sub in the trunk on about 1000rms. Not sure what "relatively low" is in your book.

 

[nutnbutcustm 10+ year member]

I'm going to compete in SQ only going to run about 300 watts to the sub. It's all about clarity

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

I'm going to compete in SQ only going to run about 300 watts to the sub. It's all about clarity

That's cool. I can appreciate SQ. My dad installs home theaters and we have a sick system. Rotel amp powering Bowers & Wilkins floor standing speakers and a JL Fathom f112 (retails for $3,200).