advantex

My baby loves hills, especially the curvey bits and passing lanes.

look forward to pics. Show us the 'as you bought it' pics. Would be interested to know the condition.

LOL everybody going on about the wheels - I just like the colour, same as mine java script:add_smilie("","smid_5")

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welcome!

Welcome Phil,

Like the 740. If I had the spare coins I would be tempted myself. You should have no problem getting a good price for that I feel.

There's been a few forays into Class A amps in car audio. Some like the Alpine 3558 were class A for the first 5w then changed over to A/B. Tru Tech had class A in their copper range and HSS and Milbert are class A in their tube amps. With high price, high current draw and high heat output they don't mate well into the car environment.

Class D is extremely common in car amps. There's a reduction in damping factor and a few other sq'y area but the trade off is higher power output per ampere, smaller footprint and less heat output.

Just to add confusion there's a few Class G and Class T starting to appear. Stick to A/B and you'll be right.

It's definitely worth a crack putting the B&W speakefrs in. A friend has the 800D and they're absolutely glorious. Have a nosey here for a guy who used B&W Nautilus speakers: http://www.milbert.com/autos/earl

Wow - that is a lot of hours and a lot of dollars and a truly impressive amount of effort to win the awards. I think I may spend more than budget on head and/ or amps. Read about the 'fine tuning' of the resulting system on this and other sites and went through the 'sticky' link in a lot more detail. When I am shopping, I will look at amps for the various zones and a method of tuning the sound distribution of these or some kind of central control/ tuning methods.

thanks Rogan.

B&W are only manufactured in UK - as are most top 10 speaker manufacturers only manufactured in country of origin (this may have changed since I last looked, but if so would be like BMW and assembled off-shore under very stringent QA)

DLS/Rainbow is interesting from what I have managed to read. I will definitely be checking out their products.

Pioneer speakers: agree, that is what I have now and (with no disrespect to the product in general) - these particular ones sound like shite.

Class A or type current dumping amps would be very rare - Quad were the only company I am aware of that succeeded in producing a decent amp using this (the best) technology. It is incredibly inefficient (for a vehicle). AB class would be 99.9%. of all amps. Quasi complementary circuitry found its niche in compromise between quality and consumption. Microprocessor controlled hi-speed A/D converters bridged that gap even further making digital as good (apparently) as analogue - some may disagree. Class D – never heard of it.

The B&W speakers being considered are made from Kevlar – can’t get much stronger or resilient or vibration proof or waterproof or dust proof than that unless I am well behind the times.

Don’t get me wrong here, and I am not trying to be coy, but I have had 30 years in electronics/ electrical and computer design and manufacture. I don’t (can’t nor want to) know everything but willing to learn. I do know my fundamental basics – and “car stereo†not electronics or stereo in general is where I am lacking in product knowledge – thus I turn to my peers.

All comments are welcome and helpful. Please don’t let this clarification of what I do for al living put you off. Only a fool ‘refuses to listen’ to others and I am no fool. In the area of car audio I profess to have no skill, but in general I know what I am doing.

Not ready to buy just yet, thought I would put the feelers out first.

E34 535ia has missing parts on front air dam. Would like to replace it - original or sporty look kit front spoiler. Keep you eyes open or PM me if you come across anything.

Anybody got some idea what it is likely to cost me (ignore freight)?

Sorry, Im not up with the history of your purchase but I would check/replace coolant and other fluids, hoses, belts (including cambelt) oil and filter (regardless of km's since last change), lubricate all hinges and door locks and sunroof if you have one, check battery fluid level, and finally take it for a good long drive.

thanks, will do.

Long drive done to prove the car weekend just gone. I found the car performs exceptionally well (for an auto). There were no strange sounds (apart from my passegers bum), auto performed flawlessly, had it up over 5krpm with no issue. Aside road bumps, no handling issues I would be concerned about. Temperature stayed steady throughout trip. Re-started after 30sec stop from hot no problem. Engine braking is supurb in sport mode. Acceleration is quick and smooth. Brakes - no shudder anywhere, no steering issues.

I am new to these cars but from experience with other vehicles, I feel this is in good nick mechanically. It 'feels' fine if you know what I mean (been driving for 40years, ya kinda get to know when somethings not right).

This is the first decent and sporty run the car has done for quite some time. I will advise my mechanics of your suggestions. Thanks. I want to keep this car in good condition.

David

How was your wee road trip?-sorry couldnt make it. Would be good to meet sometime tho.Always keen for excuse 4 a blast & a beer & a bit of bullshit.

Awsome!!! Found out why everyone likes the E34. Corners like a cat - and you don't have to work for it, it just does it naturally! Beers were good, food was good, sun was shining. Became the meat in a Nissan sandwich on the way back... that was a lot of fun! I think we all learned a lot about our cars that day.

Will be checking mail for offense(ive) material. Cheers, would be good to catch up. Away next weekend, but you make the call and I be there! I love to drive this thing.

David

Just looking for some tips... The E34 I bought had been sitting for almost a year and not driven a lot because (I suspect) the guy who owned could not afford to get it repaired. It has now been repaird (suspension, brakes, wipers, washer and a few other odd items). It is due for a full service and it may have been due for a service for quite some time.

Are there any other things I should have done/ checked while I am on the go (apart from the obvious)?

Would something like this do?

Brilliant! Figure the big horns could sit under dash at foot level. End would poke through the grill though, so figured might need pointy bra in grill so looks like Madonnas tits at front view. LOL

E34 Maddonna! Good one dude (nice system though! - have seen this before).

er...um nice sound, nice price, not nice to look at

I will go listen to some units at Eastland Hi-Fi here in Gisborne, and go listen to some others in Tauranga next week. I am pretty sure I know what I am looking for now thanks to you guys for all the advice. Hard drive is great idea - ideal in fact.

Please don't under estimate the speakers I have chosen to use, they are by no means just 'good' speakers, they are right up there with the worlds very best – and yes, they will perform well ‘outside their designed box’ – I checked that bit out first by email, they just loose a bit of very low bass response. Like I said, I have them so I might as well try them. Thus I might need a sub yet but will initially try without - see what it sounds like.

I am happy with Asian brand head and amp – these do appear to be the best choices. Aside the specs, the features and ease of use (while driving) will be major factors in my choice. Your comments and links are appreciated.

This is not budgeted until end August, so got a bit of time yet to look around and plenty of time for others to put their bit in if they wish.

I will be in Tauranga 12~15th if there are any places I should go visit for a listen.

Some more background - I bought a stereo which I love to bits but moved house some 5 years ago and went from big old country house (multi-room/ outdoor environment) to smaller "town-house" style (one room). Have 4 speakers that have no place to locate - in other words, because of house layout, they are basically redundant.

At the end of the day, an amp and/ or head unit either does or does not provide true fidelity. It can change the characteristics (ie car environment mapping) by standard tone control/ graphic equaliser system or other ‘clever’ means. But assuming true fidelity is retained, the source is the primary issue. Nothing can be 'better' than the original (fidelity wise) hence the preference of .wav or even MP3pro over MP3. On my home system, there is a significant difference between .wav and .MP3 – very clearly distinguishable.

Second come speakers because that is what colourises or reproduces the sound from a fidelity system. The amp, if your fidelity is correct, will reproduce the source exactly (perhaps characterised but still in tact) and the speakers are what you finally hear. That is all you will ever hear unless you drive with headphones on! If they are not good, nothing prior to this component ever reach your ears “good†either.

My thinking is that because I already have the B&W's, I should like to try these first and if this fails, will bite the bullet and buy accordingly later on. I have no problem with experimentation either, after all, I can always put the B&W’s back together again. I suspect this has never been done before so I would quite like to try it anyway.

I will make a new rear shelf and insert the WM4’s into this for the rears. I will disassemble the redundant B&W speakers and use the Kevlar 6†units for the lower fronts and the tweeters in the upper dash complete with the supplied crossover.

These speakers are 100w RMS at 6 Ohm nominal so need now to select appropriate head and amp to do this job with USB as required. So, if this all turns to custard, I will have to buy speakers matching the head/ amp – but if it doesn’t, it may be a system worth listening to – albeit an expensive and strange way of going about it.

I apologise to any dealers out there, but Asian speakers just ‘do not sound the same’ as top range UK or ever German/ US speakers. How a speaker system colours the sound is the dictating factor as to how long you can comfortably listen to the sound coming out of it without getting annoyed.

It’s not about “what you listen toâ€, it’s not “how loud it is†- it’s how comfortable the listening is at any volume over a short or long period of time. It’s not eye candy, its ear candy.

David

Thanks Riley: these look ok. Well worth considering

Thanks FiveStar: Yes, I will do the install myself. Read following post. $2000 budget around end September is for head/ amp unit(s).

see next post....

Thanks for that Rogan,

having read what you wrote I realise I was not overly clear in my original post. I think you have put me on the right track. By quality I sort of meant that I did not want a piece of shite, something upper market, functional, good sound quality. Not necessarily expensive.

You are right also in that the best sounds will always be at home. Having read much since I made the first post I realise that playing .wav files from a removable USB device is probably not going to be an option. There are international treaties and copyright laws involved in this. I can handle MP3-Pro which is a bit better than MP3. Now that I know much more about the problems with audio dynamics of a car interior, I suspect that MP3 is about the best you could expect anyway.

Having looked at a lot of units on the web I feel I should go for a very good "basic" system by working on existing speaker placement but changing the components to get a good sound. I don't need CD stacker (hence the USB flash option), Bluetooth is not needed immediately and I can always change the head unit later on.

Would ask you/ others to suggest the proportions I should spend the money on given the above clarification. I have a pair of B&W WM4 speakers which I could use as rear speakers and modify the rear shelf (recessing them into boot space on a slight tilt). These have a fantastic sound and if I used them I will not need a sub I assure you – they are very powerful. This would solve the rears and would then just need to work on fronts.

Put the budget at around $2000. I have looked at JVC’s, Alpines & Pioneers. All have nice features, some have features I don’t believe I would ever use. I need a compromise – quality + USB? It is not the sort of thing you can “take on approval to try†so I rely on advice here.

David

kewl. Add a 5th wheeler trailer unit to that and drifting could be fun to watch. LOL

Looking for advice to see what I can budget for/ grab bargin on if I can find it at good price...

E34 535i. Looking for CD & Flash stick (or CF card) player that for vehicle. Bluetooth capable would be handy. Must be able to play .WAV files (I don't do MP3's - ever) from removable electronic media. Speaker replacement (can re-cable as necessary) but would prefer UK (i.e. Bowers&Wilkins, KEF etc) quality.

I know about sounds, my home system many more times price of my car, thus the push for quality, not quantity.

Any suggestions? Anyone 'totally moved' by their own system? Any reccomendations of where to start looking or who (company/ franchise) to talk to?

David

welcome Swiggs! - nice engine bay (compared to mine). Other side of island not so sunny either. When ya do get the sun, can ya push it over here please?

so this is quite interesting. Now, I have always been told that if a vehicle burns a 'little' (can't define that) bit of oil it's not a problem. There are of course environment and cost issues here. But in saying this, can anyone ACTUALLY tell me what is the problem with a vehicle consuming a 'little' - remember not going to define that value - oil?

Just to put another perspective into this discussion.

Spent a bit of time there. Some of those interiors are nice. Had to laugh at the LHD Bently whose radio was tuned to the BBC LOL

Simon:

Thanks, really keen to learn more about these cars and associate with other owners (suck up their knowledge). You can always PM me anytime. Love a reason to drive down to the bay - Tui's or Speights always good reasons if ya cant think of a better one.

GannetBoy:

Engine Bay - yes on my long list of things to do. Is steam cleaning OK? Any thing about that to be aware of? You should see the sand that I am getting out of the boot! There's gotta be half of Wainui beach in there LOL.

Love it, very well written LOL

Welcome Walter,

A bit new like you I have found this to be a great site and I am sure you will get plenty of help here.

Yep, I do like that look. Thanks for the input. I will contact Brent this week regarding leather interior. Looks like I am on a mission over the next few months.

Just as a bytheway. We did three standing starts just to satisfy my own interest. 7.4, 7.3, 7.3. I was quite impressed for an auto (thinking it would have been more like 8 something), very smooth sound from the motor, very very smooth changes on the auto. I am satisfied it is mechanically OK and the body is OK so it is going to be worth my effort to make it look sweet.

David