[Rud33]

So, it seems they "discovered" some coding available for my car related to the Alpine retrofit. I have an appointment Monday to see what they can do.

I think this is the first Alpine retrofit they have tried and whatever instructions the installer was looking at told him there wasn't any coding required.

[itolson]

cant you save the original file then write a amended one with the max volumes at extreme to see if that resolves the issue.

i'm about to install the alpine upgrade kit with a boot sub and would like to hear how you get on with these.

it does look promising though...

Originally Posted by Exwoodchuck

Taibanl... I think you're on the right track... mostly!

I'm coded Hifi -- and I've noticed while poking around in my .trc for CIC, these little gems-
VOLUME_ADJ_1
e90_hifi
VOLUME_ADJ_2
e90_hifi
VOLUME_ADJ_3
e90_hifi
VOLUME_ADJ_4
e90_hifi
VOLUME_MAXIMUM_TEL
e87_hifi
VOLUME_MINIMUM_NAVI
e90_hifi
VOLUME_MINIMUM_TM
e90_hifi
VOLUME_MINIMUM_TEL
e90_hifi
VOLUME_KLANG_1
e90_hifi
KLANG_OFFSET
standard
VOLUME_PDC
e90_hifi
VOLUME_DELTA_PDC_ENTER
e87_hifi

My theory (aided by the scotch in my hand...) is that one or more of these values controls the volume table for the gong (KLANG ?), PDC (PDC - I got that one!), Nav (NAV ?) and Bluetooth (TEL ?). By recoding one or more of these values back to e90_stereo, I might be able to get the increased volume I'm looking for.

Comments on my theory?

[von Schultz]

I have postponed my dealer/service visit. They have also opened PUMA case... but still no answer from the BMW.

Exwoodchuck, if u resolve our situation, let us know as soon as possible!

[scottyb335]

Everybody with vol probs. you have to swap the wires coming from the tweeter and driver. In other words plug the driver into the tweeter and plug the tweeter into the driver plug on the crossover and all your nightmares will go away. The kit is mis-labeled from the manufacturer. I too chased this ghost for two yrs. and finally found a post on the forums where somebody did this and it worked. I believe it was on 1addicts.

[Exwoodchuck]

Originally Posted by scottyb335

Everybody with vol probs. you have to swap the wires coming from the tweeter and driver. In other words plug the driver into the tweeter and plug the tweeter into the driver plug on the crossover and all your nightmares will go away. The kit is mis-labeled from the manufacturer. I too chased this ghost for two yrs. and finally found a post on the forums where somebody did this and it worked. I believe it was on 1addicts.

I remember reading that some time ago too... but I thought that was only on the cut'n'shunt kit (part# 65410445684), and NOT the PnP kit we've been talking about (part# 65412163268).

[CenCal X3M Comp]

Hi,

I've read that it's also with the 268. The labels on the crossover are wrong. The instruction show the correct hookups.

[Imperator]

I recall trying adding SZMFA to the VO once, but the code was invalid for my car. Chuck, now that you've added S676A, can you also try adding SZMFA?

I also see S673A "HIFI System USA," whatever that means.

[scottyb335]

Mine is the PNP and it solved the problem!!!!

[Exwoodchuck]

Originally Posted by scottyb335

Mine is the PNP and it solved the problem!!!!

Interesting! Are you coded or uncoded?

If you're coded, AND that fixed the problem, I might just give it a go. If it doesn't fix it though... I'm driving to FL and finding you!!! I keed, I keeed!!!!

[Exwoodchuck]

Originally Posted by Imperator

I recall trying adding SZMFA to the VO once, but the code was invalid for my car. Chuck, now that you've added S676A, can you also try adding SZMFA?

I also see S673A "HIFI System USA," whatever that means.

If I remember, SZMFA isn't a valid code on 03/09 and beyond. My car is coded 676.

[scottyb335]

Exwoodchuck - I'm Coded, I Remember When I Swapped The Wires, I Peeled Back The Foam Cover On The Crossover And Actually Saw That THE Colors Didnt Match Up Because They Were Mis-labled. Hope This Helps.

[gtomlja]

Guys, maybe that could fix problem with gong, but there will be no effect on PDC volume whatever you do on front part of hifi, as PDC sound is coming only from rear speakers directly from HU.

You could try to check crossovers, because I have no problems with gong sound, it is loud enough.

[von Schultz]

Hmm, anyone tried this with PDC volume problems?

[gtomlja]

Originally Posted by Exwoodchuck

And... we have a response from BMW.

Per BMW, post-03/09 build E90's DO NOT NEED TO BE CODED.

So they want to 'uncode' my Alpine upgrade, removing the 676 from my VO. This will restore the volume of my BT/gongs/nav to their original value. It will also restore the EQ of the head unit. So it will then sound like crap again, but this time with supidly loud gongs (even when turned down all the way) Fannnnn-tastic.

I'm not bringing it back in to get this done. I'd rather find out a way to work out some combo of settings with NCS Expert on my own, or live with it the way it is.

Thanks BMW-- thank you for leaving me (and others) hanging on this one. I'll remember this when it's time to buy a new car.

Same for me. They coded my HU back to Stereo, now PDC is ok (gong also, not too loud) but EQ is back.

If I had no PDC problem it would be coded for HIFI and all fine but since I have it, I am more "happy" with STEREO.

[taibanl]

Has no one adjusted the value with NSC expert yet?

[taibanl]

Sorry about the misspellings. iPad. I'll try and fix from home later.

[von Schultz]

Originally Posted by taibanl

Has no one adjusted the value with NSC expert yet?

Waiting on that as well!

Still didn't get one thing - is wire swapping efficient for low PDC volume or not?

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by Catalyst Group

Waiting on that as well!

Still didn't get one thing - is wire swapping efficient for low PDC volume or not?

There is NO REASON that swapping wires on the front stage would affect the PDC, short of PFM

[voucher76]

Originally Posted by gtomlja

Same for me. They coded my HU back to Stereo, now PDC is ok (gong also, not too loud) but EQ is back.

If I had no PDC problem it would be coded for HIFI and all fine but since I have it, I am more "happy" with STEREO.

Does the Alpine retrofit, with stereo "coding"(or no coding at all), still sound better than the stock option with only 6 speakers?
Or will the lack of HIFI coding make the retrofit redundant or even worse than stock?

(I know sound is very subjective)

Thanks to all you guys who are trying to resolve this and taking the time to share the info

[gtomlja]

I have used settings what "montr" recommended; amp switch on position 2, bass -2 and treble -5. It is upgrade from basic for sure.
If I had no PDc would be even better cause HIFI coding would work in that case.

[Rud33]

I got my car back today and it looks like they fixed mine. I haven't spent that much time in the car, but he sound is normal (+1 treb, +2 base). The harsh, overly bright tone is gone. Everything sounds good. Loud and clear with no distortion when turned up a bit. The gongs are still a bit on the loud side with the volume set for as low as they can go. BT volume is fine. I haven't tried navigation yet. I don't have PDC. Overall this is a massive improvement over the base system.

I am trying to pinpoint what they did (waiting for the SA to respond).

My paperwork says "Software retrofit for Alpine HiFi" and "Install VO... Imported VO using ISSS". That doesn't look too informative.

I did notice that my phone interface looks different so they did update some software.

[von Schultz]

Let us know when you get some further info!