BMW M3 E92 Audio (Bass) Issue

[Cl4rkyPH]

PFA.

Hi all. I was considering posting this in the “In-Car Electronics” forum but thought I’d get more BMW-specific knowledge here - I’d appreciate any help please.

I’ve had my M3 now almost 5 years and I’ve loved every minute. It has the Individual audio system, which on this car at the time was the best option (better than HK). While I do love to listen to the engine I enjoy my music too.

However, a few weeks ago I turned my music on and immediately realised there was no bass output.

At first I assumed it was something to do with my phone, so switched the source, but indeed there is no bass on anything. I’ve left the problem a few weeks in the hope that it might be intermittent and come back, but sadly no, the bass has gone for good.

I have called a local audio specialist, who are very highly reviewed, and they are somewhat familiar with the M3, and over the phone suggested that it might be the amp that has gone pop. They have suggested that no third-party amps are available for the M3, so you have to order the official BMW amp in from BMW themselves; and they aren’t cheap (apparently 4 figures).

They have offered to bring the car in and do some diagnostics, but they are very busy, and have told me to call back next week, so in the meantime I thought I would just see if I could diagnose or even potentially fix the issue myself. But newsflash; I haven’t got a clue what I’m doing.

I have operated this car with no expense spared, but spending over £1000 to get bass back does seem a bit silly.

I have searched Google and there are a couple of forums detailing similar problems happening to others before; a few people have suggested that replacing the subwoofers under the seats fixed their problem; third-party alternatives are available for these. Other people have suggested that you can replace the cable that runs from the amp to the subwoofers, as it is this that gets damaged and breaks. In short, I’m wishfully thinking that hopefully it’s not the amp, and I might be able to replace another part that is cheaper to fix the problem.

I thought I would turn to the PH masses and ask you if there are any easy/obvious ways I can diagnose the issue.

Ultimately, if I have to replace the amp and that’s my only option, then I will suck it up and get it done, I just want to do my due diligence before I do so.

Any help would be much appreciated, thank you for reading.

[helix403]

Your ice specialist is probably correct. Amp has likely failed. A used one or a specialist repair is an option.

[VeeTenM]

If you replace the amp, might aswell go after market and upgrade the lot something like the Audison...if its a long term keeper? 1k on a boggo fix...nah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saYRw8RuXqE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbC2250iyfs

I just replaced my under seat subs in my 640d with Earthquakes and made a decent difference. I had HK oem system in the car.

Edited by VeeTenM on Saturday 26th April 15:29

[Hants PHer]

Slightly different scenario, but my E92 M3 had the base BMW audio which was poor. I took the car to Audiofile Incar in Bishop's Stortford and they installed their System 3 which I am very pleased with. Great sound and lots of soundproofing plus looks OEM, and cost around £2k. Just a thought.

[Cl4rkyPH]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Is it likely that a blown sub could stop the other sub from working under the other seat?

I’m just wondering how, if it’s not the amp, both subs would stop working?

[SteBrown91]

Send the amp off to these:

https://www.bm54.com/we-can-repair-bmw-amplifiers-...

Chances are they can repair it.

[Cl4rkyPH]

This is exactly the sort of thing I was hoping for. Thank you.

I’ll give them a call and see what they think.