[acg2002us]

Does anybody know of any budget friendly mods to improve the base audio system in a E90?

I would love to go Bavsound or Bimmertech but those upgrades are pricey $$$

Anybody just replace the OEM 4" speakers with something quality?

[ctuna]

That's dead end.
This has got to be the most covered topic here try to do some searches.

BMW stereo types
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865
http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/
http://technicpnp.com/menuDiagrams/d...e90_92_93.html
http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...3&d=1169133185
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673
https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/e...n-752.1275694/
base system wiring pre/post 3/09
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...tDpLJPcGkw_ui_
Base System Guide
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...5&d=1493273253

[acg2002us]

Originally Posted by ctuna

That's dead end.
This has got to be the most covered topic here try to do some searches.

BMW stereo types
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865
http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/
http://technicpnp.com/menuDiagrams/d...e90_92_93.html
http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...3&d=1169133185
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673
https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/e...n-752.1275694/
base system wiring pre/post 3/09
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...tDpLJPcGkw_ui_
Base System Guide
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...5&d=1493273253

Thanks I guess??? Posted this because wasn't really getting clear answers in the others.

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by acg2002us

Does anybody know of any budget friendly mods to improve the base audio system in a E90?

I would love to go Bavsound or Bimmertech but those upgrades are pricey $$$

Anybody just replace the OEM 4" speakers with something quality?

If you have the base audio, upgrading speakers won't make it any better and will likely make it worse. It's insanely underpowered, lacks speaker locations, and has a weird EQ curve to compensate for the garbage speakers.

I didn't click on each of ctuna's threads but there really are a ton of audio threads on here. If you want decent sound, you NEED to recode to hifi and start from scratch with a good amp and decent speakers.

FWIW, I have the Bimmertech amp and I'm not impressed at all with it.

Something like a JL XD600/6 and some MBQuart or used EPS or L7 speakers would be a good budget upgrade. Anything cheaper than that will probably not get you where you want to be.

[tankertoad]

As with many things, you get what you pay for. A budget upgrade will likey disappoint. You don’t have to spend thousands but don’t cheap out.

[ctuna]

If you are a master at digging things up you could piece something together if you
know what your doing. Technic was good at that but the best he could do was
around 750 and that was 10 years ago.

[acg2002us]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

If you have the base audio, upgrading speakers won't make it any better and will likely make it worse. It's insanely underpowered, lacks speaker locations, and has a weird EQ curve to compensate for the garbage speakers.

I didn't click on each of ctuna's threads but there really are a ton of audio threads on here. If you want decent sound, you NEED to recode to hifi and start from scratch with a good amp and decent speakers.

FWIW, I have the Bimmertech amp and I'm not impressed at all with it.

Something like a JL XD600/6 and some MBQuart or used EPS or L7 speakers would be a good budget upgrade. Anything cheaper than that will probably not get you where you want to be.

Thanks after researching it does look like #1 step is converting to HIFI if keeping the original OEM H/U. Unfortunately I haven't found any actual useful steps or instructions on how to accomplish that.

Any benefits going with a aftermarket head unit?

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by acg2002us

Thanks after researching it does look like #1 step is converting to HIFI if keeping the original OEM H/U. Unfortunately I haven't found any actual useful steps or instructions on how to accomplish that.

Any benefits going with a aftermarket head unit?

Nope, aside from added features like nav and stuff. I would keep the factory HU. Use a remote coder like Alpinemss.com. They can do coding sessions for about $50 and then you'll have a better platform to start with.

[ctuna]

The thing you have to be aware of with the base system is the Front door and Under
floor speakers are wired in parallel . To make a decent system you have to split this connection and use a multi channel amp such that one channel powers each major physical location. And all the stock speakers have to go.
Do not make the change to Hi Fi until the rest of your system is totally planned and
you have the parts , because it will drop the voltage out of the Head Unit to pre out levels.


The instruction's are old but the concept is the same .
Either recode to Hi Fi or use a DSP or DSP/amp to flatten the eq curve.
Split the under seats out to there own channel .
Use good speakers
Buy the BMW tweeter pods for the front tweeters
Use a good amp or amp DSP.

Don't buy super cheap amp's that advertise ridiculous wattage and no distortion
specs. Shoot for between 50 watts to 100 watts per channel with low distortion
specs and match to decent to good speakers.

Aftermarket Head units = Modern functions but increased integration problem's
If you have Idrive it will be a can of worms to put one in or even worse.