Is it possible to change the E53's gong sound to the newer BMW chime?

[ArNarX5]

Guys,

I guess I'm out of ideas on things to modify on my stock 4.4. Thought went through my head about changing the Gong sound to the new BMW chime, below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__0Od--6_FE

Has anyone done this or know if it's possible? In theory, I think should ultimately be as easy as swapping out the gong / sound module itself but what about the wiring, etc...

Thanks for any input!

[TerminatorX5]

it seems that the gong is controlled/monitored by some iBus... which is not present on an MOST "gong module"... not sure, if reprogramming the actual tones within the module is a possibility...

just FYI:

Gong




The electronic gong acts as an acoustic signal generator for the hour signal tone 1 (T1), the temperature warning tone 2 (T2), a warning signal tone 3 (T3) and the code signal tone 1 with tone 2. The signal lines for gong activation of tone 1 - tone 3 are used by the instrument cluster, however, they can be interrupted by the park distance signal tone 4 (T4). Tones T4 and T5 can be activated via further inputs at the gong, dependent on the vehicle equipment level. These acoustic functions cannot be triggered by the instrument cluster electronics (IKE ) but rather they are a functional part of other vehicle components.

The hour signal T1 reminds the user of radio news broadcasts or traffic announcements with three short "beeps" (1 kHz).

In the case of the temperature warning T2, one single gong (1 kHz) is triggered which warns the driver of low outside temperatures (ice hazard).

Warning signal T3 warns the user by means of a long tone (1 kHz), followed by the gong sounding. It acts as the acoustic signal for the light check module (LCM). The light check module (LCM) informs the instrument cluster that the acoustic signal has been triggered by an I-bus telegram (instrument bus).

The short code signal is triggered by the tone T1 and T2 (750 Hz). It indicates to the user that the programmed speed limit has been exceeded or it draws attention to a code function still active when starting.
Acoustic indicator




Monitoring turn signal indicator lamps

The turn signal indicator lamps are monitored by means of the switching noise of an encapsulated relay operating synchronously with respect to the turn signal indicator lamps.

Light warning

The light warning is provided only acoustically. The relay installed in the instrument cluster for monitoring the turn signal indicator lamps is also used for the light warning. The light warning sounds when the driver's door is opened for the first time and when the parking lights are switched on for 8 cycles each at approx. 0.5 seconds continuous tone at approx. 64 Hz and with a subsequent 0.5 second pause. During the light warning, the turn signal indicator lamps are only monitored by means of the indicator lamps.

Seat belt warning

The acoustic seat belt warning is dependent on the coded data and is controlled by the light check module in the form of a telegram on the body bus (K-bus ) to the instrument cluster. When the seat belt warning is triggered, the gong tone 3 (T3) is activated for may. 6 seconds with pauses of approx. 1.3 seconds.

Ignition key warning

The acoustic ignition key warning is dependent on the coded data and is controlled by the light check module in the form of a telegram on the body bus (K-bus ) to the instrument cluster. When the ignition key warning is triggered, the gong tone 3 (T3) is activated for max. 60 seconds with pauses of approx. 1.3 seconds.

Temperature warning

The acoustic outside temperature warning is controlled dependent on the temperature detected by the outside temperature sensor. If the temperature drops below a threshold of +3o C, a warning tone in the basic instrument cluster sounds at approx. 2 kHz generated by a beeper built into the instrument cluster.

In the case of an instrument cluster with on-board computer functions, the temperature warning is provided by a short gong tone 3 (T3).

Speed warning

The speed warning is dependent on the coded data where the speed value, at which the warning is to be activated is defined by the coding program. The speed warning is legally stipulated for the country-specific version "Gulf State".

[Gregory891]

ArNarX5. Modifications to consider.

As you have a US car, how about shutting off the key in ignition gong/buzzer (Euro cars thankfully don't do this)?
Drive off auto door locking (above a certain speed, they will lock)?
Euro options like seat mounted first aid kit (passenger side) and seat mounted fire extinguisher (driver's seat)?
Dynamat the inside of your doors and rear quarter panels (the doors make a nicer low tone sound when you close them and the car is quieter inside)?
Osram/Sylvania LED bulbs in your door puddle, glovebox and under dash panel lights so you can see better?
Rear seat footwell lights (and the same LED bulbs)?

Proactive maintenance like changing your automatic transmission oil, power steering oil (change the reservoir as the filter inside isn't replaceable), front & rear diff oil, trans-axle oil?

No shortage of handy things to do ....

[TerminatorX5]

Dynamat?

tell us more

[Gregory891]

Dyanmat is a product used to dampen noise in a car, used by stereo nuts, hot rod guys or people who want to have a quieter car. I've used it with GREAT success in a few normal cars and it works. I used three big packs to cover entire inside (under the carpet and back seat) and inside the doors of a 1979 Honda Accord four door - afterwards it was Mercedes like quiet rather than early "Japanese tin".

Since I've done this on E21, E34 and my current E53 BMW's.

Most car builders put a modest amount (but never enough) on the inner face of the door skin to minimize the drum noise. To prove that it's not enough, go to your X5 and gently tap with your knuckles. You will hear a tin like sound and you do this in various areas around each door. You can eliminate this, which will give you a nicer Mercedes S class sound when you close the door, a quieter car AND the benefit of better audio sound as your system has less road noise interference.

Buy a Dynamat Xtreme bulk pack and the roller. Take your doors apart and apply (you'll cut the part) on the door skin (naturally the side inside the door). You may want to benefit from the operation to upgrade your speakers, change the door vapor barrier foam (by it from your BMW dealer as the parts are custom made for the door), door carriers (before they break) as your doors are "apart".

I did all four of my doors this way (I was upgrading from a cloth to leather interior and changed the door panels as they were part of the package deal). I also put Dynamat on the inside of the rear quarter panels (where the fuses & relays go on the right and some cars have amps and such on the left). Also a bit (not as many places) on the the rear trunk / hatch door (after removing some plastic covers).

Sound of silence is there, and less "drum" reverberation when you close a door or the rear trunk door. For under $200 and your time, make your X5 even quieter ....

[TerminatorX5]

thank you for the info, really appreciate it...

[X5SND]

Some of the sound deadening materials also have an effect on thermal transmission (insulating properties). "Dynamat" is the brand everyone knows, and is often used to describe any sound deadening material found in vehicles today, but there are dozens of different companies that offer products for the stuff!