E36 ICE

[AM-BM]

Just wondering about peoples opionions on headunits. Seems a lot out there and rapidly changing products and media format from MP3 cd's to SSD cards and bluetooth etc.
Seen that Clarion do some smart bluetooth systems, anyone got any opinions?

Currently use my (excellent) mobile - sony ericsson W960i as ipod and use it through the tape player. So would want to keep using the mobile phone as ipod and probably be good to have bluetooth phone calls.
Will upgrade the (BMW E36) rear speaker to 6x9s so hopefully the head unit will be good enough to power these. Not too bothered at the moment with a sub.
Then upgrade the front speakers...

[TJW]

Currently I have in my E36 the Pioneer DEH-700 BT, In which I can connect via Bluetooth my calls and even mp3's on the phone. The calls comes through the speakers and you just need to wire a small microphone. I also have got rid of the 6x9's in the rear and left them open so the sub in the boot has plenty of air circulation into the cabin. Also, I have theloudest.com 5" speakers in the front, amped also to 100w each.

I wouldn't bother with 6x9's.

[AM-BM]

Ok, good idea. I cut the ski hatch metal plate out of my E34? 5 Series for my sub.
Does it sound good?

[TJW]

Sounds crystal clear! the front components are what I'm most pleased about! Before I amped them I was a little bit lost, but now! They're so clear and pump some good mid/high range, and the sub brungs up the rear with the low rumbling your seat.

[KickerBMW]

I've got the Alpine D106R in my E36 as far as headunits go it's one of the best on the market cost £700-800 depending where you go but you really do get what you pay for, offers plenty of scope if you wish to upgrade/expand your system at a later day.

Alpine D106R Spec Sheet

I got it due to what I was wanting it to do....









As for the ski hatch no need to cut it out if it's like the 36's it should just push out with abit of force.

[neil_bolton]

TJW said:

Currently I have in my E36 the Pioneer DEH-700 BT, In which I can connect via Bluetooth my calls and even mp3's on the phone. The calls comes through the speakers and you just need to wire a small microphone. I also have got rid of the 6x9's in the rear and left them open so the sub in the boot has plenty of air circulation into the cabin. Also, I have theloudest.com 5" speakers in the front, amped also to 100w each.

I wouldn't bother with 6x9's.

I've a Becker headunit in mine, which makes it look very 'OEM' - yet is a kick ass headunit with all the bells and whistles you need.

Teamed with a simple 4 channel amp, I upgraded my fronts to components - but stayed with the original size speakers. However I decided to upgrade to 6x9's in the rear using the adapter plates.

Whilst nothing like some of the setups others have, its does give a serious kick whilst not requiring any hacking or cutting of the interior - and I've not needed to go for a separate sub - a well set up amp should be able to drive speakers well enough to give a good sound - as mine does.

Bear in mind also that the E36 has a seriously well damped cabin, especially from boot to interior, and any sub in the boot will be needing to work overtime to make itself heard compared to many cars.

I don't have any problems with those who push the boat out with their installs, however I'm very happy with my 'OEM' type install, which still is able to give a serious sound. Bearing in mind I'm deaf too

Edited to add: I do have a problem with my amp being mounted uside down on the roof of the boot (I know, I know but I wanted it out of the way) - without circulation, this can make the amp overheat and trip - which I can understand why TJW would perhaps not run the 6x9's.

However this is only when running it hard and during the summer. The 6x9's give enough kick (especially when amped) to not need a sub.

Edited by neil_bolton on Thursday 15th January 10:41

[TJW]

I used to have 6x9's and found they just didnt give the kick, So now my front components give the kick, with these http://www.theloudest.co.uk/?sectionid=2&page=... , They fit directly into the footwell area. I highly recommend them amped!

[AM-BM]

Cheers guys, thanks for the opinions.

[AM-BM]

TJW said:

Currently I have in my E36 the Pioneer DEH-700 BT, In which I can connect via Bluetooth my calls and even mp3's on the phone. The calls comes through the speakers and you just need to wire a small microphone. I also have got rid of the 6x9's in the rear and left them open so the sub in the boot has plenty of air circulation into the cabin. Also, I have theloudest.com 5" speakers in the front, amped also to 100w each.

I wouldn't bother with 6x9's.

My'n has 2 quite small speakers in each front door about 3" and 2"
Is your's a coupe? if so where did you fit them? doesn't look like 5" will fit in my'n?

[TJW]

They're the Tweeters in the door, The 5" speakers are in the footwell.

[AM-BM]

Yeah, just realised that!
What did you do with your door tweeters?

[AM-BM]

neil_bolton said:

TJW said:

Currently I have in my E36 the Pioneer DEH-700 BT, In which I can connect via Bluetooth my calls and even mp3's on the phone. The calls comes through the speakers and you just need to wire a small microphone. I also have got rid of the 6x9's in the rear and left them open so the sub in the boot has plenty of air circulation into the cabin. Also, I have theloudest.com 5" speakers in the front, amped also to 100w each.

I wouldn't bother with 6x9's.

I've a Becker headunit in mine, which makes it look very 'OEM' - yet is a kick ass headunit with all the bells and whistles you need.

Teamed with a simple 4 channel amp, I upgraded my fronts to components - but stayed with the original size speakers. However I decided to upgrade to 6x9's in the rear using the adapter plates.

Whilst nothing like some of the setups others have, its does give a serious kick whilst not requiring any hacking or cutting of the interior - and I've not needed to go for a separate sub - a well set up amp should be able to drive speakers well enough to give a good sound - as mine does.

Bear in mind also that the E36 has a seriously well damped cabin, especially from boot to interior, and any sub in the boot will be needing to work overtime to make itself heard compared to many cars.

I don't have any problems with those who push the boat out with their installs, however I'm very happy with my 'OEM' type install, which still is able to give a serious sound. Bearing in mind I'm deaf too

Edited to add: I do have a problem with my amp being mounted uside down on the roof of the boot (I know, I know but I wanted it out of the way) - without circulation, this can make the amp overheat and trip - which I can understand why TJW would perhaps not run the 6x9's.

However this is only when running it hard and during the summer. The 6x9's give enough kick (especially when amped) to not need a sub.

Edited by neil_bolton on Thursday 15th January 10:41

What have you done with the door tweeters? Are you just running the 5" front lower speakers and rear 6x9's?

[neil_bolton]

AM-BM said:

neil_bolton said:

TJW said:

Currently I have in my E36 the Pioneer DEH-700 BT, In which I can connect via Bluetooth my calls and even mp3's on the phone. The calls comes through the speakers and you just need to wire a small microphone. I also have got rid of the 6x9's in the rear and left them open so the sub in the boot has plenty of air circulation into the cabin. Also, I have theloudest.com 5" speakers in the front, amped also to 100w each.

I wouldn't bother with 6x9's.

I've a Becker headunit in mine, which makes it look very 'OEM' - yet is a kick ass headunit with all the bells and whistles you need.

Teamed with a simple 4 channel amp, I upgraded my fronts to components - but stayed with the original size speakers. However I decided to upgrade to 6x9's in the rear using the adapter plates.

Whilst nothing like some of the setups others have, its does give a serious kick whilst not requiring any hacking or cutting of the interior - and I've not needed to go for a separate sub - a well set up amp should be able to drive speakers well enough to give a good sound - as mine does.

Bear in mind also that the E36 has a seriously well damped cabin, especially from boot to interior, and any sub in the boot will be needing to work overtime to make itself heard compared to many cars.

I don't have any problems with those who push the boat out with their installs, however I'm very happy with my 'OEM' type install, which still is able to give a serious sound. Bearing in mind I'm deaf too

Edited to add: I do have a problem with my amp being mounted uside down on the roof of the boot (I know, I know but I wanted it out of the way) - without circulation, this can make the amp overheat and trip - which I can understand why TJW would perhaps not run the 6x9's.

However this is only when running it hard and during the summer. The 6x9's give enough kick (especially when amped) to not need a sub.

Edited by neil_bolton on Thursday 15th January 10:41

What have you done with the door tweeters? Are you just running the 5" front lower speakers and rear 6x9's?

Door tweeters go in the bit where the BMW door tweeters live. Straight fit, and OEM looking.

[AM-BM]

Cool, 2 set in each door still?
I assume you have crossovers? How have you wired all the front speakers to the amp and how many channels is the amp.

Cheers

[TJW]

If you have two in each door, I believe you have the Harmon Kardon set up?

[AM-BM]

Err not sure about that. no where does it say harmon kardon?!
It has the standard rds radio in there.
Sounds ok for 1998 standard though!
2 tweeters in each door next to each other, 1 inch and 3 inch approx.

[AM-BM]

Apparently there are 3 audio system options.
- 6 speaker system, non amplified.
- 10 speaker “Hi-Fi” system, amplified
- 10 speaker “Harman/Kardon” system, amplified (more powerfull)

http://www.bmwe36blog.com/2008/06/30/harmon-kardon...

Think I have the 10 speaker system - it does sound ok tbh!

Edited by AM-BM on Tuesday 27th January 17:09