Radio harness adapter/extender
 

Couldn't think what else to call it, but what I need to do is cut the audio output wires from the radio module and insert new amps (with an LOC if required). But rather than cut the OEM harness, I'd like to get the equivalent of an extension harness that I can cut and use to feed the amps and then return to go to the speakers via the original wiring. So I can simply unplug these 2 connectors and plug the original wiring straight back into the radio module and it's then back to stock.

Of course this could be a male and a female of the radio module connectors and some tails on each that I can connect as I want, but an extension that I simply cut in half would do the same job.

As my X5 is a 2004, I assume I have the square pin connector type. Is there such a thing available?

Something sort of like this? This only has one plug, but you could buy the other plug from BMW and then just splice the two together to make the plug that you need.
http://cgi.ebay.com/BHA9003-VW-BMW-0...QQcmdZViewItem

Another angle you could take is to snap the pins out of the existing plug in the car's wiring. Then, buy replacement pins with wire pigtails from BMW and snap them into the plug. Then you would have both sides of the audio wires to splice into your amp inputs and outputs.

I like the idea of a very simple de-installation, so would prefer to keep the main harness intact.

I checked out eBay and think I've found both ends that I need. I didn't think to look there first as I assumed it was a bit too specialised and would be easier to source through here. Another one up for eBay:-)

Thanks for the nudge.

Only available for the radio (ie. amp input) side of the harness. Metra makes the necessary adapter (or the ebay link, although I like the one from Metra better since the individual pieces snap out).

On the speaker side of the equation you'll need to find an old amp and take the parts out - the mates to the harness in the car are BMW specific, proprietary, and discontinued.

d-

UKenGB has a UK-spec X5 with the base audio system. So, he does not have any amp at all. In his car, the speakers run directly to the radio's audio outputs, and there are passive crossovers in-line. That audio option was never available in US-spec cars.

Brian, you certainly seem to come out with the information I am after :)

I was wondering how the front speaker outputs drive both the dash mids AND the door speakers. Everything I have read here states that the OEM BMW stuff is all active crossovers and that cannot be the case in my car.

Do you happen to know where the passives are located or what their crossover frequency is?

The passive crossovers are in the door. The main speaker run comes into the door and connects to the passive crossover. Then, the crossover feeds the tweeters and woofers in the door.

The US-speck cars only have the active crossover versions of the systems. Most folks only know about the US systems, so that is where some of the misinformation comes from.

I resemble that remark :)

d-

I of course only have the mids in the doors and mids in the dash. There are no tweeters in the system. So is that crossover likely to be in the door? I have heard that there's 3 wires at the dash speakers, is the crossover actually there by those speakers?

I re-read the WDS, and I respectfully retract what I said about the passive crossovers. It appears that your front dash and door speakers are wired in parallel. That is not what I expected at all. It may be that each speaker has its own passive crossover, and that is not documented in the WDS. Or, there really could be a passover and the WDS is just wrong.