HELP guys!

[outkastaliens]

I am going to install a system into my car this week and i was just wondering if you could tell me the best way to do it. I heard i can run it down the middle but some say to the right? Also, i heard that i will have to take the back panel off. Can you guys help me out because I don't have a repair manual.

Thanks guys.

[Atticka]

I'm no expert on sound system installs but I do know its much easier to run wire down the middle...

[Stylin]

I personally ran the wire along the passenger side of the car. Its easier to take off the door sills to get under the carpet. Run the wire.. lift up the rear bottom seat.. run the wire under the seat and into the trunk. U dont need to run very thick wires so it wont be hard. The largest wire is the power wire and that all stays in the trunk..

[pikachu]

running down the side might be more time consuming than running down middle becuz of number of panels that need to come off. i ran it down the side tho.

[Jim[UK]AKA 007]

The RCA leads can run down the middle but you normally need an accessory lead to switch the amp on when you turn on the ignition. Make sure this doesn't run along side the RCA's or it can cause interference

[outkastaliens]

Ok guys, i REALLY need your help. I tried to run things but i was afraid that i was going to pull at the wrong spot or somehthing and break something. So, please help, my car is apart right now!

[Stylin]

If ur honestly that afraid to pull parts off and apart your car.. then u really shouldnt be doing this. Parts of ur car shouldnt come off easily. Most parts require pulling them to the point of them feeling like they're gonna crack to get it off. You should find someone with experience to help u with this or goto a professional.

[outkastaliens]

It is not that i "can't" do this i just don't want to mess anything up. I have installed MANY stereo's but most of the time i have had a repair manual for the car. So, it isn't that i can't do this. I just don't want to pay someone $40 to do this shit.

[Mike325i]

I also would like to know what the best place to run the RCA cables would be?? Anybody have a FAQ or a web page that explains the procedure. On my old Jetta was easy, because everything on the car could be taken of with a basic tool set, but on the bimmer i don't want to mess the interior up, and want to maintain a 'clean' look.

Mike

[stimpee]

Instead of paying a chucklehead $40+ to do your install, buy a Bentley manual for your car which will tell you how to remove most of the parts.

Then when you are finished, you will also have the manual to be able to do your brakes, suspensions, fluids, clutch, engine, etc...

Steve

[Stylin]

Originally posted by stimpee
Instead of paying a chucklehead $40+ to do your install, buy a Bentley manual for your car which will tell you how to remove most of the parts.

Then when you are finished, you will also have the manual to be able to do your brakes, suspensions, fluids, clutch, engine, etc...

Steve

Good idea.. about the Bentley manual.

I ran the RCA's myself.. wasnt easy, but not that hard. Things come apart just like any other car.. BMW's are just put together a lil better than others.. Try installing a system in a MB. SHIT..Even harder.. I couldnt find a hole into the trunk for anything. Until I ripped my hand open reaching a tiny plug in the middle of the rear back seat.!!

[pikachu]

outkastalien...

i think taking the center console apart is basic, there are no tricks to it,,,

it's just the door sill that is a pain in the azz especially if you have a too door cuz of the way it is interlocked with the rear side panel and carpet,,,

what do you need help on taking apart? it's hard to give verbal description but i'll try!

[Zinka325i]

FYI:
You will want to keep the speaker cable and RCA's as far away from the power wire as possible. By doing this you reduce your chances of getting that annoying alternator whine when you are driving. I have a '95 325i and the battery is in the trunk (this is my first BMW so I'm still learning about all of the setups) so you have a nice thick alternator wiring running into the trunk. I'm sure it's insulated very well, but as a good rule of thumb (from the IASCA pros) always keep power and ground as far from the signal wires as possible.

[Funkenstien]

I did my own install and ran into some of the same reservation you are..... BUT I did get through it. Here are some things that I recall were a bit tricky.

Starting from the trunk and working my way forward:

The hole into the cabin is behind the trunk 'panels' (carpet in the trunk as you know) in the top, left hand corner of the trunk (standing behind the car looking into the trunk) under the rear deck. There are already other cables coming through, but there is plenty of room.

This hole comes into the cabin behind that pad next to the rear seats. That pad pulls out, straight back with some force. You'll also have to take of the side panel along that seat. That will take you down to the carpet.

Now I pulled the seats out at this point, but that was because I put in sound dampening at the same time (not a bad idea if you're looking at a higher end install). Not sure how difficult it would be to run to the dash with the seats in. I just pulled the door sills (again, this takes a good strong tug), fliped back the carpet and went all the way to the footwell and up into the dash.

Use wire loom in areas where the cables may see some abuse, heat, sharp edges etc... (radio shack has it). Cable tie everything down when possible. And as pointed out above, steer clear of power cables (run along the passenger side in my car).

Also, be sure to run all cables you need now. It's worth it to look ahead and think about any upgrades or additions you may decide to do down the road. I didn't, but we won't talk about that.


Good luck

[outkastaliens]

Hey man, thanks a lot. That is just what i needed. I appreciate it.