So, no E38 owner has upgraded to an aftermarket head unit?? I have questions!!

[fst96se]

Hello all, this is my maiden post here on bimmerforums. I have 95 740i and today I tried to replace the head unit (cassete) with an Alpine 9813. I have searched and searched, and have yet to find anyone who has replaced (and explained HOW to replace) their head unit. I have seen a bit on the 3 and 5 series, but have found virtually nothing on the 7. I have searched the ICE forum and the 7 forum both. Hence my frustration. I hope it is actually possible using just a harness adapter.

Here is my issue. Background, my car has DSP (whatever that is) and I do not believe it has the HK. Don't know if that helps or not, but......

I am getting no sound from my Apline. I am using the Universal BMW and universal Alpine harnesses. Put them together and I get power, just no sound. I spliced my power antenna wire and amp turn on wire together to see if that would work, and nothing.

So you see, I would like someone who has installed an aftermarket HU in their 7 series to 'splain to me what I am doing wrong. I will be posting this in both forums to see if I can get a rapid and relavent response.

THanks,
SHawn

[99bmw740il]

call a stereo shop ?

[fst96se]

call a stereo shop ?

Thanks.... :
I hadn't thought of that one! :

Just kidding, I would like to speak with people that have experience.

[Honolulu E38]

I am getting no sound from my Apline. I am using the Universal BMW and universal Alpine harnesses. Put them together and I get power, just no sound. I spliced my power antenna wire and amp turn on wire together to see if that would work, and nothing.

THanks,
SHawn

Sound from the speakers in the car or sub?


Here is mine, Panasonic In-dash DVD

[FlyingHigh]

Hello all, this is my maiden post here on bimmerforums. I have 95 740i and today I tried to replace the head unit (cassete) with an Alpine 9813.
Here is my issue. Background, my car has DSP (whatever that is) and I do not believe it has the HK. Don't know if that helps or not, but......

I am getting no sound from my Apline. I am using the Universal BMW and universal Alpine harnesses. Put them together and I get power, just no sound. I spliced my power antenna wire and amp turn on wire together to see if that would work, and nothing.

OK, I'm not the audio/video expert, but I can throw in some info/considerations:

Shawn - first off DSP = Digital Sound Processing. This is the BMW nemesis of anyone trying to replace their OEM unit with an aftermarket system - well part of the problem. Mention a BMW with DSP to a competent stereo shop and hear the collective groan... Part of the issue is that strictly speaking a "head unit" normally includes the tuner and all I/O controls - so in the case of the BMW design there really is no "head unit" - but rather 2 modules that make up that functionality - the "radio/cassette" and the MID (Multi Info Display). What we refer to as the head, BMW speak simply calls the "radio".

The wiring and amp are different for the DSP & Non DSP systems. While the "head unit" (radio) is the same for both these systems, the control panel (the MID - where you see the audio information) is different. It is the MID that communicates with the head unit and the DSP amplifier via digital messages on the common bus system. The MID is programed with software that has to be compatiable with the amp.

Hmmm, it gets more complicated.

Another issue is with the amp/DSP unit in the trunk and that the crossovers are in the speakers - The DSP system has all the crossovers in the amp, with seperate wiring to "each" speaker coil. If you are replacing the amp (prone to failure), you need to replace the speakers or put in passive crossovers "in front of" the amps. Another issue is the ibus and various controls. For instance, I am not aware of a solution that doesn't eliminate steering wheel control functionality in an aftermarket system

The question that I can't answer is whether you need to disconnect your DSP unit, if you are using the wrong adapter (a DSP adapter should be different than a non-DSP adapter), if your amp is part of the issue, or the communication between the head and the amp, or ? Sorry, but as I said at the beginning of the thread, I'm not the expert. What I hope I have accomplished is to give you some background on DSP.

BTW - the E39's have pretty much the same system. I would search a bit on that forum. Another link I have in my "audio/E38 favs: http://www.geocities.com/jyl087/e39sound.htm - don't know if this will help...

Good luck and let us know how you are able to ultimately resolve this.

Cheers,

[Honolulu E38]

I agree. I wasnt going to get into it but I got ALL my wiring redone. Result is that steering wheel control - gone, DSP - off, stock radio control panel - dead. I run my mids and highs off a PPI amp, and I got another PPI amp to run my sub.

[fst96se]

OK, I'm not the audio/video expert, but I can throw in some info/considerations:

Thank you for a prompt, insightful reply!

I have an Alpine MRV-F340 Alpine V12 4 channel (60x4 rms @ 2ohm), 5.25" JL Audio XR components, and two 5.25 XR coaxials. Also have an Alpine MRV-M500 mono amp and two Alpine type-R subs. I didn't want to try to install everything just yet, just wanted to put my deck in for now, but it looks like I will be going all the way with it.

I have no idea what size the factory speakers are, but they look (from the outside) like they are 5.25. Please correct me if I am wrong. I don't have a problem pulling speaker wire for the door speakers, just didn't want to do it just yet. This is actually the car that my wife drives, I wanted to save some of that stuff for an E36 M3 that I am trying to buy soon.

It looked like the MID was still working, but of course it didn't display audio info. I don't have a problem with that, nor does it bother me to not have the steering wheel audio controls.

So now I guess I will go on with more questions....

Has anyone pulled door panels? Is it hard to do on the BMW, and what size are the speakers?

HonoluluE38,
Did you install your panasonic yourself? If we keep this car, I am going to put my alpine dvd/monitor in it, and I will try to do some rear headrest monitors. I will probably try the monitors that have headrest brackets so as not to cut the headrests. Any thoughts on that?

[Honolulu E38]

Sittinon21's Page

Yes I did do it myself. Was a pain because I had to run wires front to back, blah blah... also put two TV antennas in the rear window. I havent messed with the headrests but he has. He might be better to answer your headrest questions. Hopefully he chimes in. I see though that he cut and didnt use brackets.

PM him sittinon21s

BTW- I am not able to pull the Wood Covering down to conceal the In-dash DVD. I looked at Kenwood,Clarion, and Alpine. I don't think any of them are slim enough to be concealed.

[fst96se]

Sittinon21's Page

BTW- I am not able to pull the Wood Covering down to conceal the In-dash DVD. I looked at Kenwood,Clarion, and Alpine. I don't think any of them are slim enough to be concealed.

Dang, that is a bummer. Too bad, because most of the in dash monitors don't have a very good detachtable face.

[franco90]

John look

[conguerofuero]

go to e38.org for how to's on the door panels, wiring, etc...

[mpower5266]

Wow holy old thread bump.

[sigtwenty]

i didnt feel like starting a new thread about this, but wondering, is there a CD unit that plays mp3 CD's, that would work like the cassette deck to avoid all the wiring, amp issues?

[edarstein]

Hey im super new to this I only signed up in the forum just to ask this question haha
I know little to nothing about car audio but im aware of the difficulty of installing an aftermarket head unit
I drive a 2001 740i and its got the navigation and dsp, but would the setup you have shown here be possible for me?
If so what would i be losing?
Sorry for being such a newbie it just seems no ones been able to answer this question for me

[bry195]

I have the dsp professional. all of the mids and the sub are a shallow mount 5.25 with weird bolt patters and stupid standoffs. I put focal poly glass 5.25's in and they sit too deep. I picked up the large diameter roll of butyl from the body shop. this is the black rubber tarry like substance used to seal windshields when replacing them. put rings of it on the back of the speakers and it filled the gap from the speakers being too deep. sealed perfectly and sounds great.