After market fitting of a HK system

[RPerham]

Hi,

I currently own a 330ci Clubsport, which has nearly ever options/extras that you can think of, apart from one. i really miss having a great sound system and was wondering, is there anyway i can have a Harman Kardon sound system retro fitted. i have a feeling that it could be similar to a BOSE system, i understand that BOSE can only be fitted at the factory.

Can anyone shed some light on this? All comments welcome, thanks

[Stu R]

Surely a better alternative is to pop along to a decent car audio shop, get yourself a nice setup there which I'm fairly sure for the same retrofitting HK gear would cost, will be much better.

[DJFish]

I think to get the HK kit you have to retro fit amps, speakers and also wiring.
It'd be much easier to fit a Sony in line amp http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewtopic.php?t=57... and upgrade the speakers.
The only problem with doing that is the speed sensitive volume goes a bit sensitive.

[rick355s]

for the money you would pay to have a HARMAN KARDON system fitted aftermarket, you could get FAR BETTER equipment from a specialist car audio dealer(and probably still have change!). Have a look at Rainbow, Diamond, Audison (high-end brands) or Infinity (which is a Harman Kardon brand). Best place is www.caraudiosecurity.com. - who can also fit the equipment to a high standard.
They currently have a demo E46 M3 cab with Audison/Rainbow equipment and a Ferrari 360F1 (again with Rainbow/Audison).

[RPerham]

all these suggestions are great and i thank you, but i am just trying to think of the resale value. i am a BMW lover and would love to keep it with all BMW options. And as you may know my clubsport wasnt brought into the UK in a massive volume. but you are agreeing it can be done?

[MK4 Slowride]

There's no retro fit Harmon Kardon kit *At all* it's a factory fit option only. Also BMW recomend that if they don't supply it as a retro kit fit then it's best not to do anything, well they would. This isn't to say that you couldn't get all the Harmon Kardon bits yourself & install them or go the already suggested route of another hi-fi of some sort that can be removed come sale time so no drilling holes.

[darreni]

RPerham said:

all these suggestions are great and i thank you, but i am just trying to think of the resale value. i am a BMW lover and would love to keep it with all BMW options. And as you may know my clubsport wasnt brought into the UK in a massive volume. but you are agreeing it can be done?

Anything is possible if you throw enough cash at it.

I would follow the previous advice & get good aftermarket kit fitted.

I have the Harmon Kardon system on the M3 & its OK, but not great.

[paoloh]

If you are worried about resale value. Fit an aftermarket setup and then put HK grills on the speakers. Job done

[sjj84]

It can be done easily enough, the parts are often on ebay. I've got the system factory fit in my 330, personnally I wouldn't bother, it's really not all that good.

[Dunk76]

There's also the small matter of the HK not actually being very good.

I've got the Hi-Fi pack in my E46 and it's shockingly poor. Speaking to my local ICE chap, and he's of the opinion that the HK is just as shoddy - never mind the price.

If you're feeling flush, Focal are doing some incredible speakers that fit in E46 holes. The head-units are Alpine-based in the E46 I think?

Cheap tip of the day - the mid-range speakers in the doors of the E46 - they have nowhere to vent to. Literally, they have trim panel behind them - cutting the trim behind them improves the sound immeasurably...