E39 Touring - Custom Audio Upgrade

[DennisCooper]

** Hi all Touring owners,

Below I've just cut and paste my post I'd put in owner Kevlar's request in the middle of 2012 for higher performance/custom audio upgrades whilst keeping as much oem looks inside the car as possible. The thread needs to be tidied up a little and I will update it as I move ahead on more aspects I'm working on currently.

Thanks, Dennis!**

Hi Kevlar,

With your initial post, I was thrown as you'd used the words 'ultimate' and were also looking for ones which have a respectable yet clean amount of 'eye candy' as well, and wasn't sure to post mine or not. Now that you've expanded a bit further, my install is more along the lines of what you've requested. However, I do have 'some' amount of protrusion into cabin space but for me, not overly so.

My setup was conceived and developed by myself so that only perhaps a maximum of 5-10% of oem looks would be lost. I wanted zero loss of trunk space and I achieved that aspect. I also made custom C Pillar pods to better create a rear fill solution - and all in an E39 Touring. These variants hardly ever have audio upgrades to this or higher levels and I wasn't happy with the oem stuff at all (never have been in any prior BMW's either!)

All of which was to be achieved at intermediate pricing levels so as to appeal to more of the OEM crowd and show them a substantial increase in sound quality needn't cost the thousands they stereotypically think.

I've kept the system deliberately simple, and my sound quality 'aim' was to perhaps achieve 60-70% of the sound quality, staging, imaging etc of a similar product quantity competitive and award winning install. In recent months, perhaps 4/5 enthusiasts I know on the professional car audio circuit have heard my setup and given me fantastic feedback and I'm very happy I've achieved what I set out to do. Some improvements and tweaks remain though!

Setup - Alpine double DIN mechless head unit, 3x Stinger interconnects, 300W RMS Arc Audio KS Mini mono amplifier, 4x75W RMS KS mini 4 ch amplifier. DLS R5A 5.25 2 way components front, DLS 4 inch co-axial for a little rear fill. JL Audio 8W3-V3 8 inch subwoofer.

Discreet front door builds which blend with the door card shape and part of my design was no more than 1 inch in depth. These also house Earthquake SWS6 slimline subs (not functional yet - 3 way passive crossovers on order) which when working will add a further lower bass response to bring the imaging of the bass further to the front of the car.

Rear C Pillar mods. These were custom made as I do prefer a little rear fill and the oem locations are dreadful in so much as they are in the roof lining and fire vertically downwards towards the trunk/boot floor. The pods ensure the sound is projected correctly.

Subwoofer. My stipulation was to have an enclosure and suitable bass response that had zero loss of trunk/boot space, full access to the rear light cluster. I wanted to keep my spare wheel so that location couldn't be used.

Pictures;

Head unit

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/E39%20Touring/DSC05336.jpg

Currently it's temporarily looking like this;

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Connects2%20Dual%202DIN%20Fascia/DSC05491.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Connects2%20Dual%202DIN%20Fascia/DSC05495.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Connects2%20Dual%202DIN%20Fascia/DSC05517.jpg

Lumidock

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/LumiDock/DSC02729.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/LumiDock/DSC02712.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/LumiDock/DSC03135.jpg

Door Builds
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Door%20Builds/DSC00968.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Door%20Builds/DSC00969.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Door%20Builds/DSC00964.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Door%20Builds/DSC00963.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Door%20Builds/DSC00961.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Door%20Builds/DSC00973.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Door%20Builds/DSC00971.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Door%20Builds/DSC00962.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Door%20Builds/DSC00966.jpg

Amps
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/E39%20Touring/DSC05295.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/E39%20Touring/DSC05340.jpg

These were mounted utilising a recess space under floor trim piece and the perspex covers are yet to be installed to finish completely. Very efficient and thus only minimal heat produced even under full current draw when playing. This mounting location was the logical choice for keeping things discreet. I extensively tested with them mounted under a standard trim piece so totally invisible and perfect results there as well - never overheated.

Rear C Pillars

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/E39%20Touring/DSC05317.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/E39%20Touring/DSC05331.jpg

Was a little difficult to photograph them but will get better images later with a photographer I know. A little on the larger side as the speaker grille was incorporated, I'm considering making some slightly smaller ones. Performance wise, exactly what I wanted and provide that rear fill in a much better way.

Subwoofer.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Touring%20Stealth%20JL%20Subwoofer/DSC02606.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Touring%20Stealth%20JL%20Subwoofer/DSC02604.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Touring%20Stealth%20JL%20Subwoofer/DSC02601.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Touring%20Stealth%20JL%20Subwoofer/DSC02602.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Touring%20Stealth%20JL%20Subwoofer/DSC02603.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Touring%20Stealth%20JL%20Subwoofer/DSC02600.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/E39%20Touring%20Stealth%20JL%20Subwoofer/DSC02598.jpg

I'm just waiting on the 3 way passive crossovers for the front subs to work. I applied a small perhaps 8x8 square of dynamat directly behind the door builds in case any flexing occured, otherwise I have no other sound deadening. Tweeters in oem corner window locations, angled slightly to give a better soundstage and makes well recorded material sound like it's emanating from the lower windscreen area. Relatively 'brighter' sounding as a result. I'm more than happy with the bass output by the 8 inch subwoofer and it constantly amazes those who hear it - they all think it's a 10 or 12 inch with one or two saying if it was a 15 inch !I had to compromise a little on the enclosure volume size in order to make it fit in the space available but to me, the difference isn't worth worrying about.

A few more pics

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/E39%20Touring/DSC05339.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/E39%20Touring/DSC05341.jpg

I hope this fits in with more of what you wanted, some more things are in the pipeline and I will be in touch with you soon about vendor status here :)

Any questions or feedback warmly received!

**EDIT** Update

I've changed the head unit to a Parrot Asteroid Smart as it was the first fully featured, premium quality unit that has a short depth body. This means the car's airbox doesn't need to be cut/modified and thus potentially saves owners £200/300+. For a while it looked like this in the dash area;


https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/applications/core/interface/imageproxy/imageproxy.php?img=https://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/Car%2520Audio%2520Installs/DSC07913_zpsac178dae.jpg&key=e6165be6be37dc2d280b53a5246deab767bb9ee2d4b354 5b76bb8a2f1396e14b
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/applications/core/interface/imageproxy/imageproxy.php?img=http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/Car%2520Audio%2520Installs/DSC07912_zps38619414.jpg&key=6fefea17b00e4c3a1839509117683050d7899d4b3c3680 cdf8c5d26452e0c897
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/applications/core/interface/imageproxy/imageproxy.php?img=http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/Car%2520Audio%2520Installs/DSC07907_zpse798aa54.jpg&key=3bcfddc93e5fcc82f143f7b94ec862845b639c29523428 cc3f2f64b58ec5d1f4


During this time, I've also designed and developed an OEM look double DIN fascia/fitting kit to allow an aftermarket head unit to be securely installed and provide much closer to OEM looks in the dash. Most owners looking to have modern features and functionality in their cars want a good reliable quality head unit but are put off by the poor, flimsy plastic plain looking fascia's on the market. My dash currently now looks like this;


https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/applications/core/interface/imageproxy/imageproxy.php?img=http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%2520Products/BMW%2520E39%2520Audio%2520Fascia%2520Concept/DSC00597_zpsx1gejarp.jpg&key=5aff09ce74ea141167132d82cc07a796648a6a3992d14d 620f3d5fb42bc96f7c
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/applications/core/interface/imageproxy/imageproxy.php?img=http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%2520Products/BMW%2520E39%2520Audio%2520Fascia%2520Concept/DSC00598_zpsr7mmjuzk.jpg&key=e67cc3b1367355cf053cb1d9234bbe204ebec430d54e0b 391017f0c89fc8e2dc
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/applications/core/interface/imageproxy/imageproxy.php?img=http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%2520Products/BMW%2520E39%2520Audio%2520Fascia%2520Concept/DSC00600_zpszvkiwgot.jpg&key=7c73e0f4587e2ba62c1d5a8bacef5397a9bc2c09355ec9 28b0d0ecde74c2c152
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/applications/core/interface/imageproxy/imageproxy.php?img=http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%2520Products/BMW%2520E39%2520Audio%2520Fascia%2520Concept/DSC00609_zpsasisedjo.jpg&key=3e8883cf8d08d4e138b9973e502dc48941195a0bd14cb0 5a287b923d87479bd6


A much more integrated and coherent look that most owners want when upgrading to modern head units !


Any questions & discussion warmly welcomed!

Cheers, Dennis!

Cheers, Dennis!

[RVAE34]

Awesome!

[Jesus Freak]

The front door boxes are gorgeous, very well done!

[RVAE34]

Yeah, I am forwarding that link to my friend who built the sub box for my V70R. Love those door panel boxes.

[oekundar]

Clean install Dennis...always has been...so what's next after the crossovers?

[Flycaper]

Hey dennis, My touring came with a six disk changer and control functions on the steering wheel which i find both very useful. When using the apline headunit would i be able to keep both the steering wheel controls and the cd changer? How would you compare the dynavin, alpines and oem nav systems/headunits for a 99 540it upgrade?

Also thanks again for the help with my wheel purchase, cant wait. 19in staggered MPar reps if anyone cares.

[airkhin]

absolutely best install i have seen done. good work sir. ;) i dream to do a setup like that for my touring.

[jamesdc4]

Beautiful work. I especially like the dog hair. :worship::worship:

[KnudsonsM3]

Im jealous that you have a Diesel!

[sfgearhead]

Beautiful Dennis! I'd seen bits and pieces of your install, mostly the subwoofer, but the whole thing is super clean and unobtrusive. Would love to hear how it sounds.

[misterfx8]

nice install. i really like the speaker door box panel:buttrock

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

Thanks for all the feedback so far! a little bit yet to come as I've decided on running the front slimline subs via another small amplifier and probably some time spent with some good contacts listening and tuning up everything for an even smoother sound.

Jesus Freak - Thanks for that, I wanted the design I had in my 'mind' to flow as much as possible and very happy with the outcome. Other 'similar' design door builds already exist, but I wanted something this size instead.

RVAE34 - Cheers, hopefully your contact will be able to make them in the way I have these manufactured (looking for a new manufacturer currently!) The way the alcantara goes behind the little 'lip' recess to give a very precise line is something perhaps experienced audio installers can and will do, when I heard then saw this, I was very happy indeed ! as well as all the work into the actual finishing - it's much harder than you'd initially think!

Oekundar - Thanks! you know I've been busy with the Touring sub enclosures, very frustrating with the manufacturers I'd organised deals with only for them to later shut up shop and go out of business! as per above, decided to run the slimline subs actively instead. As for future projects, well, I do have a couple other's as well and I hope will really appeal to all E39 owners ;) as for this car, I'm probably going to leave as is, perhaps a head unit change, but all else will stay as you see above.

Flycaper - All good aftermarket brand head unit's will have a steering wheel controls interface you can buy separately. If not, then aftermarket interfaces from the likes of PAC, Connects2 and Paser etc etc. The oem changer can't be used with aftermarket head units as it's specific to BMW's oem audio module setup. I don't rate any of the chinese made replacement head units due to their low quality in all areas and yet asking premium brand money for them. The 'best' of them in the USA is Dynavin and from Jeffb325 who provides proper care and support resulting in the much reduced risk of a dud or poor performing unit. The OEM stuff was fantastic.. a decade ago when introduced and they've been superseded with latest technology. If you buy all the 'addons' for the oem modules to get functionality it costs a lot of money (iPod interfaces, bluetooth retrofit, upgrading to Mk4 GPS computer and widescreen etc) and you still have the oem weedy amplifier and speakers thus needing more money spent to then increase sound quality ! - so, for me my choice is what I've done above - everything aftermarket, so I get the best performance and quality per £/$ spent.

Airkhin - Thanks for your kind words! I do think there's a good few Tourings out there with audio installs much better than mine - Take member Kognac for example, the Alcantara trimmed and bespoke enclosure to get the 13 inch slimline JL Audio sub in looks awesome, then there's thaichi's car with a phenomenal build in it :) - as per my write up above, I wanted to blend all elements of upgraded car audio, mid level pricing and stealthy overall looks - so a slightly 'different' direction to appeal to the more 'oem' type guys.

James - haha! authentic Japanese Akita Hair no less! thanks for the thumbs up!

sfgearhead - thank you as well for the feedback! I will update as I get a few more bits in :) - it does sound good and most importantly for me, is that I can demo it to 'more oem bias' owners and all are really astounded at the performance level increase compared to their stock setups and are very often disbelieve that amount of smooth musical bass comes out of such a small subwoofer and also that my front end DLS's are at the price level they are! I've semi arranged more listening time and tweaks by some of the UK's sound quality biased competition winning guys who also have E39's and E60's as well as a few other BMW's. To them, my setup will NOT be sounding right, so with some guidance and tweaks, if I can have those guys say my setup is sounding 'good' then I'll be very happy !

Misterfx8 - Thank you for your kind words,much appreciated!
Cheers, Dennis!

[rockson]

Hi,
great upgrade:wow

Could you tell how this dock station for iPod/iPhone was made? I'd really love to have something similar in my car, since I have no need for the ashtray:).

Thx


http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr183/DennisCooper/BMW%20Products/LumiDock/DSC02712.jpg

[WhiteLX]

Hi,
great upgrade:wow

Could you tell how this dock station for iPod/iPhone was made? I'd really love to have something similar in my car, since I have no need for the ashtray:).

Thxhttp://lumidock.com/bmw-e39-5-series-9603-c-1_2.html?zenid=sptftdqohm7nsf8n190ikflub3

[DaSurfa]

Love the subwoofer box!
Dennis, when u gonna start making these for sale? :)

David

[mickyfree]

Hey there,
Amazing setup! Very jealous of your car! Also, kudos to your creativity on this build!

Do you happen to have the measurements on the sub box you built on the left side of your trunk? I plan to build something very similar but have not been able to find any dimensions for a sub box on the left side.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Mick

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

Mickyfree - Thanks for your kind words! I have some more upgrades for the whole car I'll soon be having done so will detail those in a post on the forum here soon :) I don't have exact dimensions for the enclosure but I can certainly whip it out and take some for you. What I did was to look into the cubby itself and removed some of the metal protruding screw threads which is that the brackets for the GPS computer etc would have affixed to. That gave the area a more flat surface. I treated with rust inhibitor as well. The specialist who made that enclosure made up some pieces and as my car was just outside the roller shutter door, he went back and forth to trim some of the panels to fit better - so trial and error really. I'm still sad that some months later he decided to close up shop completely. I've still got to find a good quality manufacturer to make this enclosure, the right hand side enclosure I've had prototyped and the door builds! Apologies for the years it's been so far! I've had a few things I've been doing ! ;)

I'll update here once I've had a chance to do those measurements, hopefully over the next week or two.

As for the LumiDock, it seems that they went a similar direction and have stopped making them. The website doesn't exist anymore and I can't get hold of the owner etc. I'm thinking to make something similar but given that the move now is towards audio streaming via the internet and specific streaming apps and stations, I'm not sure if there's many car owners using iPods anymore. Once I can get some pricing details on making them, I'll evaluate more and update on the forum here.

Cheers, Dennis!