[Simert]

Hi Everyone!

Picking up a 2007 E93 335i on Monday. Soo excited!

Look forward to reading up on the car and sharing in your experiences.

Anyone know where I can get a split centre armrest (beige/cream), as this ones doesn't have it. Other than a dealer, as they want over £220!

Anyway, bye for now.

Simert

[B33M3R]

Hi

Ref the armrest, Sytner offer a 10% discount for forum members if you have a look there's a sticky in the UK section so you can post up on there. I think Cooper BMW Parts online also do about the same off. I'd haggle where you're buying the car though mate if it's from a main dealer!

Welcome to the forum, nice choice of BM. Enjoy!

[Anthill mob]

Newbie from down south. Hi to all!
Looking for some serious advice about upgrading the stereo (Hi-Fi Pro? Lol!)
Considering changes the door units for some Focal component speakers. I know I'd need an amp to drive these properly and have read the threads about the Alpine upgrade, but not really interested in the speakers supplied with the kit as I know they wouldn't be good enough. My question is how good is the amp ( I have reservations about it) but I don't want to change the head unit as I've done this once before and the hassle factor is too much. So I was thinking, buy the Alpine amp and wiring harness and put Focals in the doors and look at upgrading subs to 8" by means of the supplied wiring harness.
However if anyone can suggest a suitable alternative to the Alpine amp please let me know. I'm not interested in hacking the OE wiring which is why I like the idea of the Alpine upgrade.

Cheers from sunny Torquay

[B33M3R]

Originally Posted by Anthill mob

Newbie from down south. Hi to all!
Looking for some serious advice about upgrading the stereo (Hi-Fi Pro? Lol!)
Considering changes the door units for some Focal component speakers. I know I'd need an amp to drive these properly and have read the threads about the Alpine upgrade, but not really interested in the speakers supplied with the kit as I know they wouldn't be good enough. My question is how good is the amp ( I have reservations about it) but I don't want to change the head unit as I've done this once before and the hassle factor is too much. So I was thinking, buy the Alpine amp and wiring harness and put Focals in the doors and look at upgrading subs to 8" by means of the supplied wiring harness.
However if anyone can suggest a suitable alternative to the Alpine amp please let me know. I'm not interested in hacking the OE wiring which is why I like the idea of the Alpine upgrade.

Cheers from sunny Torquay

Welcome, plenty of options. Best post up in the UK Technical or Audio Bluetooth section of the forum if you're looking for advice. I'd have a good search first though.

To get you started, don't bother with the Alpine amp if you're not going to go for the complete Alpine upgrade kit. It will be trousers and also won't compliment after market speakers like the Focals as they need something with a bit more clout. Also it will mean either cutting or crimping into the cars wiring depending on what kit you get. There are plug and play harnesses available to keep things truly reversible and stop you having to do any hacking. If you have a look at the link in my signature it will give you an idea

[Anthill mob]

Cheers B33M3R!
I noticed that you're using a JBL amp and MS8, don't know if you knew this but both those products are out of the HK stable. In fact the MS8 was originally going to be a HK product as it was developed by them for years prior to launch.
How does your system sound? I know the Focals are a very good speaker as they make terrific high end home audio and have recently joined forces with Naim ( best UK Hi-Fi company by a country mile and one of the best in the world!) however I have found JBL amps to be a bit bright. Perhaps the MS8 compensates for this?
I have searched for Technic harnesses but can only find a guy in USA. Any links you could provide for Technic and 808 guy for speaker adapter rings would be greatly appreciated.
PS, Really like your install. Very stealth but a classy job, particularly with the use of Dynamat. What a difference that stuff makes.
It only a shame that the performance of most systems are "throttled" by the use of the OEM speaker wire throughout the car. Anyone who has experimented with different speaker cables at home will testify to the improvement in quality that can be obtained by this simple upgrade. Hey ho! Being a car though the environment is not conducive to fantastic sound.....but a large improvement can be gained over the stock system.
After doing quite a bit of research I'm leaning towards a Blaupunkt amp with their 5m harness and same Focals you have installed.
Anyway many thanks for the advice!

[B33M3R]

Hi

Thanks for that, sounds like you know you're stuff! I did know JBL was part of the HK family, along with Infinity etc. Again, the Focals get mostly thumbs up for their products as well, should do for the price though!

I'm pleased with the sound overall and it's definitely over and above anything I've had previously. Like most who do this I've got plans! The JBL amp wasn't my first choice and would call it a 'compromise' firstly owing to it's size and secondly due to the fact JBL amps being a bit bright. I can't really say I've found that myself and as you say perhaps the MS8 is compensating for this downside. When I change it out in future I can compare.

I really wanted to fit a JL 600/6 and can see this as a likely path in the future along with a sub enclosure in the boot ending up totally stealth but, costs were creeping and I didn't want to compromise anywhere else. Can only get so much passed the Mrs in one go!!

I hear what you're saying about cabling, I'm into home audio as well and have bought into the ethos of "any system is only as good as what you've connected up with!" Not too big an issue with vehicles as they are not the best acoustic environment to begin with but again, same as yourself I didn't want to butcher the car too much and running cable to the front doors etc would have required drilling out the pins of the door harnesses to pass them through. I certainly haven't got any issues with hiss or electrical whine etc.

For the Technic harness PM 'Technic' and tell him exactly what car and standard system you have fitted. This is very important. Again PM '808MGuy' for the speaker rings. I can recommend both products as top quality.

Be careful with the Blaupunkt harness as I'm not sure if it brings a remote feed as I think the Blaupunkt amps are remote sensing. Might be wrong.

Fine if you're going to use one but will be a faff finding a switched live elsewhere if you're not. I'm not sure what the output is on these either so just make sure they've got enough to drive the Focal's properly as I think they need a minimum 60watts RMS. Again, if you're changing out the under seats to something like the SWS they need at least 100watts RMS, some even say 150watts RMS to keep them happy! Sounds like you're likely to be aware of this anyway but thought I'd just say in case!

Good luck with the install, keep us all updated!

[Axelf]

Hi new to here but not BMW..... I had a new 118 d M sport 5 door but I have now traded it in as it was a little to small for my growing family.... So I have taken the plunge and bought a new 320d M sport plus in Alpine white.... I pick it up on Friday.. I had a set of winter wheels for the 1 series E46 wheels.... Will they fit the new 3 series???? Thanks

[B33M3R]

Hi, welcome.

Excellent choice of car, almost perfect

Use this site to identify the wheels you have and their offset etc. Once you've done that you can post up in the UK Technical section and I'm sure someone will be able to help

http://felgenkatalog.auto-treff.com/

It's in german but easy to figure out. Select 3 er E46 in the top drop down box and you should be able to find them

[Simert]

Originally Posted by B33M3R

Hi

Ref the armrest, Sytner offer a 10% discount for forum members if you have a look there's a sticky in the UK section so you can post up on there. I think Cooper BMW Parts online also do about the same off. I'd haggle where you're buying the car though mate if it's from a main dealer!

Welcome to the forum, nice choice of BM. Enjoy!

Thanks for welcome and advice. I'll contact Sytner as you suggest, wasn't aware of the offer.. Think I'll also need to get the Alpine speakers, as these standard ones are useless. lol.

All the best

[325jay]

hi guys.

[Tony_RH]

Hi there.

Picking up my E91 320d m sport on wednesday, so i thought i best join a decent knowledgeable e90 forum.

Look forward to being a part of this forum.

[dxb335d]

Welcome newbies!

[Jif]

Picked up my 2010 E91 330d M Sport in BSM this week, replacing my previous 120d M Sport.

[Josh1a1h]

Hello everyone!
From North West London... Do people meet around this area?

I have a Bimmer 335i 2006 which is stock for now. Absolutely loving it but hating the fuel consumption...

Maybe a gas conversion is in order?

[phil200tdi]

Originally Posted by Josh1a1h

Hello everyone!
From North West London... Do people meet around this area?

I have a Bimmer 335i 2006 which is stock for now. Absolutely loving it but hating the fuel consumption...

Maybe a gas conversion is in order?

How bad? Mainly town driving?

[AFN1980]

Hey guys, a quick hello from a newbie.

Got myself a 2010 E90 325D M-sport. Loving every minute of it.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone. Already been reading loads of threads and this forum looks awesome!

Cheers

[cazzac2222]

Hello Guys from a Newbie

Not got myself a BMW yet, but really hoping to get a 320D M-Sport for the new year, ive decieded to start looking into them to learn a research into these lovely cars!!!

Seems like a great forum with loads of information to go through & hopefully get to know alot of you I best get researching!!!!

Thanks, Zac

[Josh1a1h]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Is It an 06 or 56. Did it come with Msport kit fitted by previous owner?!

I think it is a 56... yes it did come with the msport kit fitted...

It is on a private plate at the moment...



why why why? how do you know???

[mistryn]

Hi everyone

I have been lurking around for a while now and thought it be better to sign up

I picked up my 335D E92 coupe few months back and loving it, however i have that common dreaded problem of the boost pipe and oil dripping down on the tray

I have had the seals replaced by a local indi but still leaking. I tried over the weekend to take the pipe off and have a look but I couldnt get the upper part to unclip and I think I may have broken the clip as I tried to pry it open

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Josh1a1h

I think it is a 56... yes it did come with the msport kit fitted...

It is on a private plate at the moment...



why why why? how do you know???

what month was it registered?

Officially M-sport was May 07 onwards. So I don't think your car is a genuine Msport.

[Josh1a1h]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

what month was it registered?

Officially M-sport was May 07 onwards. So I don't think your car is a genuine Msport.

You are right bud... not genuine from factory... but complete M sport package was installed at BMW at a later date.

[dxb335d]

Cool. Only prob is people who know BM's will know it's not Gen!

I like the look of a well spec'd SE. Was it on boggo wheels etc?!

Did they fit the shadowline also or was it factory on your car?!