E46 M3 Stereo Upgrades
E46 M3 Stereo Upgrades
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Discussion

mlovatt

Original Poster:

6 posts

191 months

Wednesday 2nd June 2010
quotequote all
I have currently been trying to find the best solution to upgrade my standard stereo.

I have replaced all the speakers for JL Audio Speakers and have put a 10 Inch Sub in the Boot with the Stealth accoustic Box. These are all powered by a JL Audio Amp.

Ive tried to keep the original head Unit (Nav Unit), so was recomended to use a JL Audio Clean Sweep to convert the sound and a DICE kit for the Ipod intergration.

The DICE kit is useless and the Clean Sweep has a bit of interference.

Has anyone got any other ideas? or will i have to change my Head Unit?
If so what surrounds would people recomend? and also what double in Nav/BT/Ipod Head Units would people recomend?

Any suggestions would be appreciated?

Thanks

DennisCooper

1,340 posts

195 months

Wednesday 2nd June 2010
quotequote all
Hi there,

Yes, I'd also recommend upgrading the standard head unit as well. If you have the widescrenn OEM satnav/TV screen, then although a very nice system in 2001 when they first appeared in E39/E46 etc the functionality and performance has long since been superseded - the only reason 2nd hand units are so pricey on ebay is that they 'look oem'

Take a look at some of the guys over on a more enthusiast focussed site - M3Cutters and from there Evotechnik - where you'll find some of the guys who have M3's who gone over to the Double DIN Alpine setups which knocks the OEM setup for six. You've got some quality components in the JL stuff, so do it justice and provide a hifi signal to it all!!

The good thing is, as other's who perhaps aren't 'so' into sound quality and just want the looks, you'll get £300 or so back for just the OEM monitor, £150-200 for the amplifier unit, and perhasp £125-350/400 if you have the Mk3 or Mk4 Satnav drive. This should basically cover all your costs for perhaps an excellent Alpine/Kenwood/Pioneer unit and probably fitting too - basically a 'free' upgrade!

Cheers, Dennis!

Original Poster

5,429 posts

200 months

Friday 4th June 2010
quotequote all
I looked into this as well some time ago and my options were either the clean sweep or replacement headunit, I went for the headunit and never looked back.

mlovatt

Original Poster:

6 posts

191 months

Friday 4th June 2010
quotequote all
Hi,

Thanks for the feedback.

Does anyone know of anywhere that i can get a nice looking surround for a new unit.
And also if i replace the headunit, what happens to the the on-board computer? How do you control it and change things like the clock etc..?

Thanks

isaldiri

23,904 posts

192 months

Friday 25th June 2010
quotequote all
mlovatt said:
Hi,

Thanks for the feedback.

Does anyone know of anywhere that i can get a nice looking surround for a new unit.
And also if i replace the headunit, what happens to the the on-board computer? How do you control it and change things like the clock etc..?

Thanks
would be quite keen on hearing back on this one about the on board computer as well if anyone knows. Am thinking of replacing the business radio unit I have on the E39 I have and fitting one of these alpine units.

thanks

DennisCooper

1,340 posts

195 months

Saturday 26th June 2010
quotequote all
Hi there

The E46 surround to hold an aftermarket double DIN I'm pretty sure are available on Ebay. By relocating the heater contols or MID display, depending on your car's original equipment spec, you'll have a setup much like the guys I was mentioning earlier in this thread.

Things are more complicated for the E39 (which is the car I have) - The fascia's available which follow the contours and shape like the E46 unit are from Janus Design - and I think their fitting kit comes in at around £130- £140. You've then got to modify the airbox by either melting or cutting then gluing, which I'd estimate is 3-4 hours of labour. So for around £400 or so, you can then fit in the Double DIN units. Or wait for another 5-6 weeks or so for the Dynavin E39 all in one unit that's due for release.

Other fascia's are around - some other compromises in terms of looks. However one doesn't need the airbox modification and its around £95. So DIY fitting is a possibility with that one.

Cheers, Dennis!

isaldiri

23,904 posts

192 months

Sunday 27th June 2010
quotequote all
Will keep a lookout for the E39 dynavin unit then. cheers.

custardkid

2,514 posts

248 months

Monday 28th June 2010
quotequote all
Satnav is much better with upgraded full post code / speed camera / perspective discs

else:
http://www.ttints.co.uk/store/index.php?app=ecom&a...

review on BMWland some where

custard