Audio upgrade required

T

T1berious

Member
Hi,

I have a Z4M and love it dearly, the only fly in the ointment is the shocking stereo that came with it. It's got sat nav and is 57 year E85.

From other posts I've read it has the "basic" system, (no subs and the storage bins). I'm just after some advice.

Does the head unit have a preout? As I think an amp might improve things heaps as I understand the speakers are the same regardless of setup (we have an E92 which sounds fab :thumbsup: with business radio).

I'm not that interested in multiplay CD as I have an iPod. would Intravee be a worth while addition while I'm at it?

I'm not after crazy power, just an increase in quality, sounds like it's underwater at times :thumbsdown: , some base would be good though.

Also I'm useless when it comes to DIY \ electrics on cars so I'd rather have the work done, keen to keep it OEM in appearance. If anyone can recommend a reputable retailer in Brum I'd appreciate it :)

Cheers in advance!

T1b
 
I have the business system and its pants..

I think you need to go with the extra 4 speakers and the amp to get any decent noise.

Chris
 
T1berious said:
Hi Chris,

Does your system have the subs? or just the cubby holes?

Cheers

T1b
Click to expand...

Just the cubby holes, i think its the 6 speaker one, so minus the doors and the cubby hole subs..
 
if it were me I would keep all the existing speakers, add 2 subs in the cubby holes and the most important of all a large decent multichannel amp with steep crossover slopes for the mid/high components. Once you remove all bass below about 120hz they will come alive and makes it sound very loud and very clean. I was astonished when i did this on my compact using the stock existing nokia speakers, like you also a 6 speaker setup, 2 highs in the doors, 2 low mid/mid in the kick plates and 2 full range rears. I mated them to a 800w 4 channel boss amp which in reality put out around 100w RMS per channel, I put a steep crossover slope on it 24db/octave at about 120hz then just added a stereo amp and 2 10" subs that was back when i was 17 :-) For the z4 i opted for carver but i do miss that setup it sounded much cleaner than the carver, the carver I feel doesn't have steep crossover slopes, the mids in the doors push out to much low mid bass causing distortion.



Regards
 
It all depends on how complicated you want to get. Adding subs in the cubby holes is not easy as the Z4 subs are specifically built to be very flat and not have much excursion. Off the shelf subs won't fit there. And to be honest, the factory subs are not specacular if you want loud bass. What they are good for is providing a good low frequency fill for smooth jazz music and clean bass lines.

If you just want to improve the sound quality without spending a lot of money or doing some crazy retrofits. Your best solution would be the BSW Stage I kit. It's replacement speakers for your factory kick panels + tweeters.

http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/product/706/174/BSW-Stage-I-Audio-Upgrade-for-BMW-Z4-Roadster--Coupe-03-08-E85E86/

If you just want some additional bass, then putting a single 8" in the trunk in a ported box will filter into the cabin plenty--especially with the top up where there's a air pathway from the trunk into the cabin via behind the seats.
 
Hi Zed,

Really didn't want to for a sub as the boot is tiny as is, really just after a fuller warmer sound rather than earth shattering base (been there, done that - bass box had to be taken out for luggage \ bikes etc) plus being that bit older now I've no need to wake the dead when I rumble past :).

I've budgeted £600 for it. but that includes fitting, I hope that helps

Cheers T1b
 
Sounds like both of those would be a good solution for you and keep you in budget.
The BSW speaker upgrade + the small sub + amp package that should be able to fit under the seat from caraudiocentre.co.uk. Wiring + splitter from the stock amp shouldn't be difficult either.
 
I'm part way through ( or should I say in the middle of a long mid way break ) installing an audio system. So far have installed subs. To come are replacement speakers and amping for the front.

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14499 < pics etc here.
 
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