Another sub.....

[ingo2307]

Some months ago, I installed BSW stage 1 kit to get some sound improvement over the stock stereo. I got clearer, more detailed and less distorted sound, but it was not the day and night difference I expected.

I wanted more bass and the ability to play clear and detailed music at an reasonable volume. The BSW midrange kit was ordered and after searching this forum I desided to give it a try on a homemade stealth subwoofer with separate amplifier, as described by alpac and stwjazz7. Thanks guys!
The sealed box was made of 16 mm MDF, approx. 7 liter volume, with an 8 inch Rockford Fosgate sub element. It fits perfectly in the right side compartment, secured to the structure behind the fusepanel.
http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1164059533
Power comes from a used brigded 300 watts amp installed in place of the CD changer. This had to go in favour of the DICE Ipod kit anyway, which was ordered together with the mids.
12 V was taken from an empty fused pos at the terminal block in front of the spare tire. Remote 12 V is available at the radioplug below the spare tire. Use a voltmeter to find the correct wire with 12 V when IGN is on.
Signal is found in the only plug on the amplifier, in my case pin 1 and 2, plus 24 and 25 for both channels, which is left and right rear door speaker output. A high to low converter was needed as the amp only had pre inputs.

And guys, now to the best part……IT SOUNDS GREAT! I have tight, punchy and deep bass without any distortion or panel rattling. The vocals and instrument are just as detailed and clear as I wanted. Some tracks now even includes sounds I haven’t heard before. Most noticeable is the low bass, but also the new mids makes a big difference. I am very satisfied and cannot understand how BMW can install such a lousy standard sound system in such a great car.

I was thinking of cutting a hole in the trim panel for the sub, but tried it out, panel on or off and you cant hear any difference.

PS: In my search for the correct wires, I found 4 unused plugs on top of the standard amp. Is this DSP harness plugs or what?
http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1164059533

[alpac]

Great job, clean installation. Congrat

[Kryptonite]

what size amp did you use for the sub and how well did it fit in the rack area?

[ingo2307]

The amp measurement is 260X55X170mm. The rear part just touches the compartment foaming and on the front the RCA plugs hits the trim panel.
The amp is mounted on a metal plate which again is bolted on to the rack. Some drilling and hardware is needed.

Anyone got a clue on the plugs?