ninjatek
10+ year member
Ninja Member
I wrecked/totaled the car in my signature. I just bought a 2004 bmw z4. I really like the car, and the stereo in it is pretty good. It has 3 way components up front (6.5, 3, 1) two 7" subs behind the seats, and an "ambience" speaker behind the head rests. As I said, it sounds great, but not quite as loud as my old stereo. I have an issue with deciding on whether or not I want to even mess with the stereo. The components I had in my accord were a 3 way Hertz set that size wise, completely matches what is currently in the car. So the speakers will drop right in.
The small problem with the stereo is lack of settings, and it doesn't play mp3's. The big problem is that it is a fully integrated system. I can't just buy a wiring harness and hook up my head unit. The audio bus from the headunit to the amp is proprietary and bmw does not sell an apapter. I have no way to interface an aftermarket headunit into the amp. Since the amp has an internal active crossover, if I want to remove the amp and headunit but keep the speakers, I have to find/build crossovers for them or do a fully active setup. They don't sound like they are worth the trouble. So basically, I can leave the system as is, and buy a $20 line in adapter so I can hook up an external audio device. That at least allows me to hook up an mp3 player or something. Otherwise, if I want to install my old gear, I have to remove everything. Speakers, headunit, amp, etc. I basically have to completely reinstall the stereo from the ground up including running a switched power source from the battery in teh trunk up to my dash for my headunit.
Now the catch is, I have a pretty extensive warranty and by installing an aftermarket stereo, I void the warrany on the stereo, and I run the risk of BMW trying to blame any electrical problem I have on the stereo.. What do do......
The small problem with the stereo is lack of settings, and it doesn't play mp3's. The big problem is that it is a fully integrated system. I can't just buy a wiring harness and hook up my head unit. The audio bus from the headunit to the amp is proprietary and bmw does not sell an apapter. I have no way to interface an aftermarket headunit into the amp. Since the amp has an internal active crossover, if I want to remove the amp and headunit but keep the speakers, I have to find/build crossovers for them or do a fully active setup. They don't sound like they are worth the trouble. So basically, I can leave the system as is, and buy a $20 line in adapter so I can hook up an external audio device. That at least allows me to hook up an mp3 player or something. Otherwise, if I want to install my old gear, I have to remove everything. Speakers, headunit, amp, etc. I basically have to completely reinstall the stereo from the ground up including running a switched power source from the battery in teh trunk up to my dash for my headunit.
Now the catch is, I have a pretty extensive warranty and by installing an aftermarket stereo, I void the warrany on the stereo, and I run the risk of BMW trying to blame any electrical problem I have on the stereo.. What do do......
