Speaker suggestions for 2003 M3?

[mav2002 10+ year member]

Hi,

I am totally new to car audio. I was wondering if anyone could give me any recommendations regarding replacing the 10 stock speakers in a 2003 M3. I do NOT have the car yet, but expect delivery in Dec 2002. I just want to get a head start considering this stuff ain't cheap. Any and all recommendations on speakers (and subwoofer) would be awesome.

In terms of amps, I am looking at PPI or Kenwood for the speakers, and Rockford Fosgate for the sub. Thoughts?

Thanks a million in advance!

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[pearl expo 10+ year member]

SO YOUR GETTING A 2003 M3, NICE CHOICE.

WELL I'M THINKING FOCAL FOR STOCK LOCATION SPEAKERS,WHY FOCAL THEY

SOUND SO GOOD, TRUST ME ON THAT ONE.

AND FOR SUB ROCKFORD OR JL AND FOR AMP'S PPI OR ROCKFORD RF

 

[mav2002 10+ year member]

Do you know what the specs are for the 2003 M3 in terms of what kind of speakers are where? I would assume 1" tweets in the front, with either 5 1/4" or 6 1/2" lows. Is there also a 4" mids?

And in the rear? Anyone know? Since I don't have the car yet, I can't just look inside. Wish i could! = )

 

[wesleysh 10+ year member]

I think your heading in the wrong direction. Just my 2 cents.

 

[ace7733 10+ year member]

Originally posted by mav2002 Hi,

I am totally new to car audio. I was wondering if anyone could give me any recommendations regarding replacing the 10 stock speakers in a 2003 M3. I do NOT have the car yet, but expect delivery in Dec 2002. I just want to get a head start considering this stuff ain't cheap. Any and all recommendations on speakers (and subwoofer) would be awesome.

 

In terms of amps, I am looking at PPI or Kenwood for the speakers, and Rockford Fosgate for the sub. Thoughts?

 

Thanks a million in advance!

how much are you looking to spend total?

are you wanting to replace the stock speakers and add a sub or two?

BTW that is a very very nice car

 

[mav2002 10+ year member]

Originally posted by ace7733  

how much are you looking to spend total?

 

are you wanting to replace the stock speakers and add a sub or two?

 

 

BTW that is a very very nice car

Thanks! Very expensive and have to wait another 6 months or so to get it.

After looking around this board and some other ones, I figure to spend around $2-3K. I'd like to keep it closer to $2K. Yes, I am looking to replace all 10 stock speakers, and add 1stealth sub in the trunk. I've seen pics of this one M3 owner who had a custom built fiberglass encloser built into the side of the trunk where the battery cover is. Just awesome!

Right now I'm thinking about a 10" JL Audio sub with a Rockford Fosgate BD500.1 for the bass, and maybe an assortment of MB Quarts for the inside speakers. I do not know the config of the stock speakers, so it's hard to figure out what I need to buy. If you know the config of the speakers (ie., size, how many tweets, mids, etc..) please let me know.

THanks in advance!

 

[ace7733 10+ year member]

Originally posted by mav2002  

Thanks! Very expensive and have to wait another 6 months or so to get it.

 

After looking around this board and some other ones, I figure to spend around $2-3K. I'd like to keep it closer to $2K. Yes, I am looking to replace all 10 stock speakers, and add 1stealth sub in the trunk. I've seen pics of this one M3 owner who had a custom built fiberglass encloser built into the side of the trunk where the battery cover is. Just awesome!

 

Right now I'm thinking about a 10" JL Audio sub with a Rockford Fosgate BD500.1 for the bass, and maybe an assortment of MB Quarts for the inside speakers. I do not know the config of the stock speakers, so it's hard to figure out what I need to buy. If you know the config of the speakers (ie., size, how many tweets, mids, etc..) please let me know.

 

THanks in advance!

not to be nosy, but how much is the retail on one of those cars?

I really have no idea what size the speakers are....I would check with the dealer and on the bmw website

 

[mav2002 10+ year member]

Originally posted by ace7733  

not to be nosy, but how much is the retail on one of those cars?

 

I really have no idea what size the speakers are....I would check with the dealer and on the bmw website

Retail, of course, depends on configuration. For a coupe, with 6-speed manual, runs about $52-55K. The Convertible is about $8K more. Problem is that there is a major waitlist for the car, and many dealerships in major cities (ie., LA, SF, etc....I live in LA) charge a premium. So you will find dealerships that charge $3-10K over retail. Major price gouging.

 

[icedbimmer 10+ year member]

I'm not sure about the E46 M3, but the E36's 10 speaker system consists of a 5 1/4" in the kickpanel, a 4" and a 1" in the door, and another 4" and a 1" in the back. You may be able to find more info at this BMW Forum: http://www.dtmpower.net

 

[mav2002 10+ year member]

Are there speakers out there that are 3-way (1", 4", 5 1/4")? I am still very new to car audio, so I'm just not sure. I looked up on MB Quart website, and didn't see any.

Thanks

 

[icedbimmer 10+ year member]

Are there speakers out there that are 3-way (1", 4", 5 1/4")?

No. MB Quart used to make those 3-way component systems specifically for BMW's but they stopped making them. You would have to buy a 4" midrange seperately.

 

[mav2002 10+ year member]

Thanks! Other than MB Quarts, what are some high quality speakers that would sound good in an M3. MB Quarts are a bit pricey, but they are good.

 

[ace7733 10+ year member]

focal utopia

jl xr

boston accoustics

 

[andy240sx 10+ year member]

ok, m3s are the shit, i envy you. great cars. now that you have one of the phattest cars, you cant go and get a cheap *** system. so inside speakers, go with focal, mb quart, or maybe infinity. those will give you your best clear sound. AMP ALL YOUR SPEAKERS, dont run them off the deck. get a good 4 channel amp (Xtant, Phoenx Gold) and get a good sub amp as well.

 

[mav2002 10+ year member]

Originally posted by andy240sx ok, m3s are the shit, i envy you. great cars. now that you have one of the phattest cars, you cant go and get a cheap *** system. so inside speakers, go with focal, mb quart, or maybe infinity. those will give you your best clear sound. AMP ALL YOUR SPEAKERS, dont run them off the deck. get a good 4 channel amp (Xtant, Phoenx Gold) and get a good sub amp as well.

Yes, you are correct. I am NOT going cheap, I just need to learn more about car audio stuff. I know very little right now. Here's what I have gathered so far and what I'm thinking:

- PPI PCX-480 to run the MBQs

- JBL 600.1 to run the sub

- MB Quart PSD 213 (5 1/4" comps in the front)

- MB Quart PSD 210 (4" comps in the rear)

- MB Quart DKD 110 (4" seps in the front)

- JL Audio 10W3v2

Thoughts? I kinda want to keep the stock head unit just because it "fits" with the rest of the car. BUT, I'd be willing to replace if I heard a strong enough argument. Remember, be nice when responding to this, I am VERY new to all this. = )