2005 BMW Z4 2.5i E85 Aftermarket Build Log/Install W/ Pics

[krisfnbs]

I purchased the car about a year ago & the first thing I did was completely overhaul the entire system. When I bought the car it did already have some audio upgrades which was quite convenient. It had an alpine bluetooth radio with mic installed, a kicker 2 channel amplifier and a set of focal 2 way component speakers(crossovers were hidden behind the midranges in the kick panels, pretty small). However what was interesting is the prior 2 way speaker install tapped into the factory bmw stock amplifier. It was quite strange.This car came factory with a 3 way speaker system in each door, two 6.5 "subs" behind the seat, and two 4" midranges above that. The car sounded terrible for several reasons:

1. The new focal's and tweeters were powered by the 2 channel kicker amp, but the factory midranges were powered off the head unit. (dumb)
2. I'm not even sure it was wired up correctly.
3. The stock subs are a complete joke.I mean everything was a joke, but still.
4. The kicker amp was like 10 years out dated and put something like 30w per channel

So as you can see, it did not sound good.

Pros: All of the amplifier wiring (the power/ground/remote, and 1 set of rca's was already wired from the front to the rear.

I ultimately ran another 4 channel to have 6 channels(even though at the moment I am only using 4) and I ran a 9 wire to the rear, even though I only needed a 5 wire.

I kept the 6.5 Focals to use as the midranges, threw in an old set of dome powerbass 3" midranges from an old 3 way set I had laying around, and seas neo tweeters. I found a really beefy 3 way passive system crossover from china with crossover points I thought would be suitable. The crossovers nearly weighed a pound! Total out of pocket cost for this 3 way setup was about $50 for the crossovers. AIYIMA LX GM1 3 way crossovers : US $25.45 18% OFF|AIYIMA Crossover Board Tweeter Midrange Bass SubWoofer 3way Frequency Divider Enthusiast DIY Car Modification Stereo Crossover|crossover board|bass board|diy subwoofer - AliExpress (I bought mine on eBay, cant seem to find them on eBay anymore) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32737919283.html

I decided to swap out the older alpine unit for a Pioneer DEH-S6120BS that was about $60. Interestingly enough these newer pioneer units seem to be really darn good for the money. I'm still eyeing a DEH-80PRS though...I really don't think I need it though! Even though it is my all time favorite head unit.

I swapped out the rear 6.5" "subwoofers" with Skar Audio EVL-65 D4 6.5" Subwoofers. I wired these up to 2 ohms each. They were a DIRECT fit! I think I paid $60 each for them new. There's a couple of them on eBay refurbished now for $45 a piece. Considering the cabin is so small, this adds quite the punch!
Skar Audio EVL-65 D4 6.5" 400 Watt Max Power Dual 4 Ohm Car Subwoofer:Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019WYPLIA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The amplifier I chose for this setup was recommended to me by one of the members here. It's the JAD800.4 4 channel. This thing is certified to put out 750~ watts @ 4 ohms, and nearly 1200~ watts at 2 ohms for all 4 channels! The footprint of the amp is also really small. I was looking for a recommendation to an amp similar to the PPI P900.4, apparently this is near identical. I paid $175 for the amp new: JAD800.4 | Full Range Class D 4-Channel Car Amplifier | NVX https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_40254_NVX-JAD800.4.html

Oh yeah, I ended up selling the factory amplifier on eBay for $350! Which seemed on the higher end of what they were selling for. I fully expected to sell this thing for closer to $200, so I'll take the win!

So I paid 175 for the NVX, 50 for the crossovers, 120 for the skar 6.5 subs, 60 for the new pioneer headunit, $40 for 4 more channels of rca and 9 wire. = $445
Re-used the focals, brought in older dome midrange & seas neo's(amazing tweeters)
Sold the stock amplifier for 350
So all in I paid a little over $100 to have a completely rejuvenated system properly wired.

I couldn't be happier with the results. If anything, I may add a larger subwoofer in the trunk at some point in the future. I just have not been able to figure something not only practical for space reasons, but budget friendly, and loud!

I also still have all of the stock speakers I removed to resell on eBay. So ultimately when I get around to selling those everything should pay for itself. Oh yeah, and the kicker amp sold for like $50-100 as well.

I've included a bunch of random pictures of the install here. If anyone has one of these cars and needs any help figuring anything out I will do my best to answer.

If anyone has any comments, or suggestions, I'm all ears. Always looking to learn.

 

[krisfnbs]

2nd

 

[krisfnbs]

3rd

 

[krisfnbs]

4th

 

[krisfnbs]

5th

 

[krisfnbs]

6th

 

[krisfnbs]

I've decided to upgrade the system even further. I'm going to swap out the Skar 6.5" subwoofers in the rear for Skar shallow mount 8" subwoofers VD-8. This will increase the subwoofer cone area by 51%~ and an additional 400 watts to the subwoofers for a total of 800~. After I sell the 6.5 subs, total out of pocket on this is probably a even wash.

In addition to that, I scooped up a sick deal on some Dynaudio Esotan 372 3 way component speakers. Scooped em up for about $450 brand new. After I sell my current 3 way system, I'll probably end up out of pocket about $200-250 or so. I've never ran these high end of speakers before, so I'm curious to see what the sound is like. If I like it, I will keep them. If I don't feel enough value is there, I will sell the set, return to my old set and break even.

I'm also going to sell the NVX JAD800.4 amp. It's a fantastic amplifier (and hella small), but I found a great deal on a brand new old school MB Quart Discuss dsc4125. This thing does 500 watts x 2 @ 4 ohms. This bad boy will power my new 8" subs. Then I'll need a small footprint 2 channel to power the new 3 way component speakers. I'm thinking something like a PPI P600.2, or just something small footprint in general that will do anywhere between 125-200 watts x 2 @ 4 ohm.

I will update this thread over time. If anyone is looking to completely overhaul their sound system with far better sound, sell your factory amplifier for like $300-400 on ebay and most of the cost of the new equipment would be paid for!

 

[Darkangelv2]

Those photos will be a great help to many

Thanks for sharing so far!

 

[paulromi]

Did you have to drill new holes for the new subs? The first ones you put in?