Amp install with aftermarket stereo

[AceWynn]

Hey guys,

I have an aftermarket stereo and I'm planning on installing my subs this weekend. I do have a several questions that I haven't been able to find the answer to. First off, what I have is 2002 BMW x5 3.0. It doesn't have the factory amp or sub.

My first question is should I connect the remote and RCA wires from my deck to my amp? Or should I tap into wires that already exist in the trunk? A couple of installs I read about, tapped into the ignition wire for the remote and they use pre-existing wires to tap in for the RCA wires. But I think the sound wouldn't be as clean.

If I run the wires from my deck to my amp, should I run the wires down the driver side? Passenger side? Down the middle under the carpet?

Any tips would help greatly. Thanks guys!

[Jordo]

I just did this about 2-3 months ago. But Mine had a factory amp...... I think they ALL have factory amps. You sure you dont have one? I replaced my amp, because it was makeing all of my speakers sound blown out, even tho they were not. I can help you with the wiring, I had the same questions with little help from searching. I'll post pics of my wiring if you want. I also have an 02 X5 but I have the 4.4. IDK if that will change the wire colors or not.

[AceWynn]

Hey Jordo,

Thanks a lot for the quick reply. I'm pretty sure I don't have the factory amp since I don't have the factory subs but I do recall seeing the wiring back there though. I'll double check this weekend once I get my car out of the shop.

From your reply, I take it that you just tapped into existing wires for the amp? If you could post a pic of your wiring, that'd be great! Thanks!

[Jordo]

Yes, open the rear hatch, And on the left side the little door that opens.... mine was actully down in there. I'll post pics so you can see what I did. And yes I used some of the existing wires, and ran some RCA's.

[mrbmwx5]

All BMW came with amp , you don't have factory sub then you don't have DSP amp.
But you do have Hi-Fi amplified .
In this article you will see where is the factory amp located at...
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...ctory-amp.html

[wullaby]

There is a remote wire in the back that should turn on your factory amp, you can splice into this to turn on your aftermarket amp, but don't use this for your remote turn on in your new aftermarket radio. That remote turn on should be a fuse in the glovebox that you can go into. The grounding nut for the aftermarket amp is also back there in the middle inside against the rear bumper, to get power there should be a Power Distribution box in back of seat near spare tire area, you can use that as it is already fused, so no need for inline fusible link and no need to go to the battery post for power. Run your RCA's all the way up to your new headunit. One option is to Run Speaker wires from your amp the the speakers in your car (lot of work) or again find the OEM amp and locate the speaker wires going into the amp and tap there to get your signal, of course you should disconnect or bypass the factory amp. This saves you a lot of time running a lot of wires. Good Luck

[AceWynn]

Hey wullaby,

If I decide to run the wires straight to my head unit, which direction would be best? Driver side? I was thinking driver side but was afraid how hard it would be to pop off the side panels.

All BMW came with amp , you don't have factory sub then you don't have DSP amp.
But you do have Hi-Fi amplified .
In this article you will see where is the factory amp located at...
Adding a Sub Amp to the Factory Amp
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I read up on this before hand and I don't think that the sound would be what I was looking for. Since I have an after market head unit, I think that when I'm tapping into the wires, I would more music then straight bass. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[wullaby]

[QUOTE=AceWynn;805391]Hey wullaby,

If I decide to run the wires straight to my head unit, which direction would be best? Driver side? I was thinking driver side but was afraid how hard it would be to pop off the side panels.


I ran my RCA's down the Driver's side, I had to run 2 sets of RCA's since I have two amps, one 4 channel to drive the inside speakers and another mono amp for my subwoofer.