The dreaded "base audio" upgrade...

[jiggz]

Sorry to hear this, but I'm not surprised given what I've read on this BavSound package. Most people have said the same thing as you….

What year is your X5 BTW? Do you have the legit 'base' sound system (S645A - BMW US Radio) or do you at least have the 'Hi-Fi' sound system (S676A)? In 2012 BMW ditched the 'base' system (S645A) and every X5 got at least S676A (Hi-Fi Speaker System), unless you opted for the Premium Sound Package (S677A). I've done no research on pre-LCI models, but I do know 2011 35i's without Premium Sound have the 'base' system (S645A) which I've heard, and it's terrible. If you have a 2011 50i, or a 2012 35i or 50i, you don't have to worry about this awful sound package even if you don't have the Premium Sound Package. Hopefully that made sense…

[redwoods22]

Originally Posted by jiggz

Sorry to hear this, but I'm not surprised given what I've read on this BavSound package. Most people have said the same thing as you….

What year is your X5 BTW? Do you have the legit 'base' sound system (S645A - BMW US Radio) or do you at least have the 'Hi-Fi' sound system (S676A)? In 2012 BMW ditched the 'base' system (S645A) and every X5 got at least S676A (Hi-Fi Speaker System), unless you opted for the Premium Sound Package (S677A). I've done no research on pre-LCI models, but I do know 2011 35i's without Premium Sound have the 'base' system (S645A) which I've heard, and it's terrible. If you have a 2011 50i, or a 2012 35i or 50i, you don't have to worry about this awful sound package even if you don't have the Premium Sound Package. Hopefully that made sense…

that does make sense.... i've done a fair bit of research and did not realize that was the timing of everything. indeed i am 99% sure i do have the true "base" (not hifi) system. my x5 is a 2011 35i 10/10 build lci, with no tweeters. pretty sure that makes it the base system. btw one of the lamest moves yet i've seen bmw make to have tweeter pods in car with a $63k sticker (premium package, technology, and some other stuff) and no tweeters in there. haha at least they fixed that soon after by at least giving hifi as the entry level.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by redwoods22

that does make sense.... i've done a fair bit of research and did not realize that was the timing of everything. indeed i am 99% sure i do have the true "base" (not hifi) system. my x5 is a 2011 35i 10/10 build lci, with no tweeters. pretty sure that makes it the base system. btw one of the lamest moves yet i've seen bmw make to have tweeter pods in car with a $63k sticker (premium package, technology, and some other stuff) and no tweeters in there. haha at least they fixed that soon after by at least giving hifi as the entry level.

Yes - timing (build date) is everything - combox, LED coronas, paddles, etc.

To confirm you could run your VIN through a decoder but given your vehicle year/model and the empty tweeter mounts it sounds like you already know what you have. It's too bad it's so expensive to properly upgrade the sound in these X5's.