mods for 2017 - recommendations?

[MDUBZ]

Hi,

Given the huge depth of knowledge on here and my capability: lots of ambition but lacking in talent i.e. start a job > get out of depth > pay someone to finish.. i'm after some advice/recommendations of businesses/people that can help me out.

I'm based just north of Cambridge but will travel for the right solution

full spec: https://www.bmwdecoder.com/decode/ll90639
Mods/work to date (most are maintenance in my view): stubby , suspension refresh: B12 pro kit which drops 15mm over M sport springs, and non rflts fitted, poly bushed, power flex rear strut mount. updated nav disc, resprayed front bumper and wing , replaced misty foglight and crack in front grill, batman decals for Le mans - now regrettably removed

Mod 1: Audio
spec: came with the business CD and NAV; legacy iPod connection in the glove box (tried the bluetooth adapter, and when that failed the power converter which also failed to produce results )

'problems'

• * aux in doesn't work
  * speakers are dreadful
  * no BT streaming capability (other than the crap fm broadcaster purchased from amazon).

'reqs'
I want to keep the car as standard looking as possible: i don't really like the aftermarket facia's etc and want the nav to still 'work'

• * speaker upgrade probably with a small hidden away bass box to add a bit of depth
  * blue tooth streaming with controlled from the wheel
  * fix the aux in (if BT os sorted i won't need it arguably - but it not working triggers the OCD neck twitch every time i skip past where it should be on the menu)

Mod 2: Exhaust
really something that adds a bit more drama and few more pops and crackles on over run

forget budget at this stage, although the £800+ for the scorpion exhaust makes me wince, but if that turns out to be the best option I would: will give that thread a bump...

FYI: I generally use the female assessment model for buying decisions (face for radio, so purchasing has always been more successful)

default position:
Would I: (probably)
Should I: (probably not)
Could I: (definitely not)

 

[Paulr]

Aux doesn't work means you have the wrong lead. It needs a 'crossover'. I ordered a cheap one for mine, first one didn't work. Ordered another cheapy with this corssover link and it works fine!

 

[Paulr]

This one https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016I9FS1W/ref=pe_385721_37038051_TE_3p_dp_1

 

[Ducklakeview]

Not sure if yours is the same, but I have the business HiFi in mine with the 10 speaker DSP setup, and the sound is FANTASTIC, better than the Dolby system in my Volvo which I prev rated as the best I'd ever had in a car.

I fitted a Parrot with bluetooth streaming & USB using an SOT wiring kit - Beauty about this setup is that the business HiFi outputs line level to the amp, SO bluetooth and USB in utilises the car amp rather than the crappy Parrot one, and sound is excellent.

With your exhaust, I CAN DEFINITELY help you, for a lot less than your budget! I can make your car sound awesome, and still look OEM... Have a look at this post here: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=89154


Mike

 

[Ducklakeview]

Aux doesn't work means you have the wrong lead. It needs a 'crossover'. I ordered a cheap one for mine, first one didn't work. Ordered another cheapy with this corssover link and it works fine!

It's actually a resistor inside, so the head unit knows it's connected...

Mike

 

[Steve84N]

Search for Grom audio, it's a box that gives you BT streaming plus aux in and charging. There's also a version that will playback from USB storage which is my preference as you're not battery life dependent than with a music device/phone. It all works through the standard controls as it replicates a CD changer. I'm just about to get one myself having gotten fed up of leaning over to my glovebox where I installed an AUX socket.

 

[MDUBZ]

thanks for all the responses; the car is a 2007: the aux in should be factory fit it's not something i've installed: could still be the wrong cable if the previous owner did something (it's never worked in my ownership), id read previous threads about the resistor. i've had the stereo out and its a bloody mess behind there.. i scratched my head for a few minutes and shoved the bloody thing straight back again - tbh i'd rather pay someone to put it right than have a go myself.. i also managed to snap one of the tiny connections on one of the vent louvres (never done a diy job without breaking something - fixing what you broke always seems to take 3 times longer than the job you intended to do); i had to drill into the louvre, get a pin and cut it to size and glued it in - completely invisible now back in the car!!

The Mess

[post]1365323[/post] Not sure if yours is the same, but I have the business HiFi in mine with the 10 speaker DSP setup

: its not, i don't have a sub i have 2 cubby holes behind the seats .. sound is pants!!!

I'm speaking to CBS in cambs tomorrow so will also walk through some of the options cited re parrot and GROM etc

[post]1365323[/post] With your exhaust, I CAN DEFINITELY help you

, yes that does sound bloody good!!