HELP.....2004 M3 Non HK System wiring

[99M3]

Hi All

I have a 2004 M3 convertable which does not have the HK sound system, instead standard HIFI system from factory. I beleive the head unit is the same regardless of HK or non-HK and also it is Din Output on the unit.

I am think of upgrading my speakers and also adding a sub + an amp. However I would ove to find out if I can just tap into the original wiring of the car rather then have to run new speaker wires etc around inside the car.

Therefore i am assuming someone out there has played around and knows the answer to my questions which are as follows:

Q1 Where is the OEM amp located for Non-HK system?

Q2 Does anyone know for sure that the OEM headunit is DIN Level output?

Q3 If the amp is located in the back then does anyone know the wiring config? ( I would like to take the DIN level of my headunit output and send them to a five channel amp instead of the factory amp)

Q4 Does anyone have the wiring diag of the output fronm the OEM amp to the speakers. (I want to take these wires and connect them to the output of my five channel amp).

Please note that I have a lot of experience with car stereo installs and really just want some fundemetals with respects to location and wiring to set me running. I went to a stereo install outfit and they wanted to convert the high level coming from my OEM amp back down to line level and I said why? Due to the fact that you are taking amplified noise reducing it back down and then will amplifying it again....does not make sense when you can take the line level from the head unit.

Any help would be appreciated folks!

Take care

Bally

 

[gpoints]

I've done an amp and sub upgrade but I have the HK setup. From what I've read, the amp is in the same location. As you stated, you will want to splice before the amp but you'll need a special converter. I've gone through a couple of line converters and have settled with the VEN4. I'll do some searching for non hk setups and see what I can find. Here's a link to a full HK setup that a bunch of people have used:

http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e46m3/forum.php?postid=2786337&page=10

edit: Here's the other link - Non-HK upgrade

 

[andreyiv]

I am not sure the head unit send outs line level output. On most cars it is high level output so you can swap the HU for an aftermarket unit without a problem. Then again this is a 2004 M3, they don't want you to swap anything out. Just double check so you are sure. Sorry I have no diagrams but I will see if I can get some. Wish you luck.

 

[gpoints]

I am not sure the head unit send outs line level output. On most cars it is high level output so you can swap the HU for an aftermarket unit without a problem. Then again this is a 2004 M3, they don't want you to swap anything out. Just double check so you are sure. Sorry I have no diagrams but I will see if I can get some. Wish you luck.

Actually, they're neither "line level" nor "High Level". It's a really odd set-up that is described pretty well in the second link I posted.

There are 2 things I must stress about doing a sub/amp only upgrade:
1) use a quality line output converter ( SVEN4, AudioControl LC6,JL CleanSweep). I recommend the SVEN4 (VEN4) @ http://www.cardomain.com ($28 shipped for me)

2) Get your signal before the amp. If you get the signal after the amp, you'll end up with the factory cross-over and could have gaps in your sound (I did at least).

I'm not sure how important weight is to you, but my whole system (Sub, box, amp) came in @ 40lbs. Elemental Design 13KV2 & Nine.2 amp with a 1cu/ft sealed box

 

[99M3]

Thanks guys for all your feedback and tips. I will keep you posted on what I am doing. I consider this a long term project, so don't be surprised if you do not hear from me for a while.

Bally

 

[gpoints]

Thanks guys for all your feedback and tips. I will keep you posted on what I am doing. I consider this a long term project, so don't be surprised if you do not hear from me for a while.

Bally

No worries... Just take your time and make it nice.