Adding subs to an E38

[jimbo01 0]

I just picked up my 1999 NZ new 740 (E38) today. I thought it had 10 spweakers but there doesn't seem to be any speakers in the rear parcel shelf - so what are the tricks to addding a couple of subs into a factory BMW system???

[jochen 4]

I just picked up my 1999 NZ new 740 (E38) today. I thought it had 10 spweakers but there doesn't seem to be any speakers in the rear parcel shelf - so what are the tricks to addding a couple of subs into a factory BMW system???

Do you have the HiFi system (non-DSP) or the Top-Hifi system (with DSP) ?

Do you have Tv / Nav, or just the normal stereo?

If you have non-DSP then you have options of:

1. Take the rear outputs from the radio, where they go into the amplifier. These are speaker level.

2. Take the rear woofer outputs from the amplifier, and feed your sub from these.

The good news is that, if you have the amplifier, all the wiring you need is in the boot.

I've got full wiring diagrams for every variant and option, just sing out for whatever you need.

Jochen

[jimbo01 0]

Do you have the HiFi system (non-DSP) or the Top-Hifi system (with DSP) ?

Do you have Tv / Nav, or just the normal stereo?

Jochen

It's the non DSP, with the TV. Doesn't have NAV. There are no obvious speakers on the rear window shelf. Any diagrams etc that could make this easier would be greatly appreciated.

[jochen 4]

It's the non DSP, with the TV. Doesn't have NAV. There are no obvious speakers on the rear window shelf. Any diagrams etc that could make this easier would be greatly appreciated.

OK. Easy peasy. I'll look up the applicable diagram.

Also: did you know it is really easy for you to add original factory navigation to your car?

I just added nav to a 2001 NZ-new M5 with the same system as yours, and man, it works really really well.

Jochen

[jochen 4]

E38 with Nav, amplifier wiring:

Amplifier input:

Connector X606 (with the small wires)

pin3 = rear left +ve, yellow/black

pin4 = rear left -ve, brown/orange

pin2 = rear right +ve, blue/black

pin1 = rear right -ve, brown/orange

The amplifier inputs are normal speaker levels, you can use these to drive the sub's amplifier, or use can use the BMW amplifier outputs:

Amplifier output:

Connector X605 (with the large wires)

pin11 = rear left woofer +ve, yellow/violet

pin12 = rear left woofer -ve, yellow/grey

pin5 = rear right woofer +ve, blue/violet

pin6 = rear right woofer -ve, blue/grey

These outputs drive the woofers in the rear doors.

If you want power to drive your sub:

Amplifier power:

pin1 of X605, red/green, fed from fuse F69, 30A

Warning: you may exceed the fuse rating.

Amplifier switch-on:

pin2 of X605, white, 12V when radio is switched on

[jimbo01 0]

OK. Easy peasy. I'll look up the applicable diagram.

Also: did you know it is really easy for you to add original factory navigation to your car?

I just added nav to a 2001 NZ-new M5 with the same system as yours, and man, it works really really well.

Jochen

Sounds interesting - in car navigation would be nice. How does one go about this? What sort of costs are involved?

[jimbo01 0]

E38 with Nav, amplifier wiring:

Thanks for that; one more detail - where is the amp located?

[jochen 4]

Thanks for that; one more detail - where is the amp located?

It's the unit directly behind the CD changer

Jochen

[jochen 4]

Sounds interesting - in car navigation would be nice. How does one go about this? What sort of costs are involved?

The one I did cost $1,500 for all the parts and labour. This got the latest, best GPS.

Had to buy:

nav computer (2nd hand)

wiring loom (new)

bracket (new)

nuts and bolts, special type (new)

GPS antenna (generic antenna, new)

and it took the two of us 3 hours to complete

If we had used new original BMW parts for everything, it would have cost about $7,500

Hardest part was fitting the GPS antenna and running the cable, rest was straight forward

Jochen

[jimbo01 0]

It's the unit directly behind the CD changer

Jochen

I'll open it up this weekend and have a look. Thanks.

Update Saturday:

If I want to add the subs (I'm thinking 8") into the rear parcel tray what would be involved. These doesn't seem to be any speaker cuts outs so did they have a completely different parcel tray for the ones without the rear shelf woofers? What size speakers did BMW fit up there?

Edited August 4, 2007 by jimbo