Stereo upgrade questions
 

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum. I just bought a 03 x5 3.0 sport package. I have had and have many BMWs. I currently own a 2000 528i and 2001 740i. I really love my cars so I found this x5 for a great price, so thought what the hell. I have had it now two weeks and it is really growing on me. The question that have is; I want to upgrade the stereo but I can't find much clear info. I have currently none nav. with dsp and a sub woofer in the back. I have seen the complet units on eBay and I put a similar one in my Excusion and it it's that bad, I kind of like it. So here are some of the questions I have.

1. Will I be able to use the bmw amp.
2. Can I keep using the on board computer, like gas mileage, time, date and ect.
3. The aftermarket units say the steering wheel button will, but will they.

Any other advice would be great, thanks forany help.

Tom

Built in sub? If so that means DSP and tough to swap components. BSW makes good factory-compatible speaker upgrades. They're a bit pricey but allow for retention of factory functions. Otherwise I think you're looking at replacing amp and head unit. Bavauto has a Dynavin-like HU now but don't think it's DSP compatible.

My DSP system is currently powering my APPRADIO3 so well I have not installed the amps & speakers I have.

I followed this video but needed to add power to a second pin to keep the amp running over 15 minutes.

Installing aftermarket HU in BMW retaining DSP amp. - YouTube

Congrats on the SAV.

I hate to contradict you tmv, I know you have forgotten more than I know but my APPRADIO3 & the radio harness are the only things in my system not from BMW and I am happily using it to run my system.

I installed the harness to the AR3's harness, ran the MID to the glove & put the CD player in back near the amp wiring positive twice a ground and a cable for the control circuit (one turns on the amp, the other keeps the system on I assume it's the door opening timer. I had to add it after the system kept going silent after about 15 minutes.

I just went through a long situation experimenting with new front speakers, new amp, etc., etc., while retaining the factory head unit. I even added an Alpine PXA-100 auto-tune DSP feature. I used an Intravee, the RichardP breakout box, and the Alpine KCA-420 (I think, I've had it for quite a while). Amped w/a JL XD 700/5. Front soundstage is a set of Hybrid Audio Technologies Imagine 6.5 coax speakers. A little creative trimming and they fit fine.

I ran the speakers in coax mode even though you can separate the tweeter. The speaker manual states to try them first in coax mode and it worked great so I left them in that configuration.

I already had the intravee and the KCA-420 to handle my ipod input. Adding the breakout box and the PXA-100 dsp allowed me to separately amp the tweeters, mid-bass and sub box (waste of time). I ran several different calibrations over multiple months, but I never thought the sound was much better than the stock DSP system with the HAT speakers up front, so I pulled everything but the HAT speakers and reinstalled the DSP amp. Intravee still runs the iPod (and does a ton of other really cool stuff).

So, long winded way of saying don't bother with another amp unless you're going to get much higher quality components than I put in.

If I was going to do it all over again, I would just put in the HAT speakers up front, and maybe add an aftermarket sub (BSW, JL Stealthbox, or DIY like others have done here). I may still add a sub, but I have other issues to tackle first.

I love the intravee and highly recommend that setup. Toysinyourcar.com is where you can get one (no affiliation, just a satisfied customer) and there are a ton of threads out there on it and the Alpine KCA-420 that you need for the install.

Stereo upgrade
 

I don't want to replace anything but the stereo itself and keep the functions that I have. What is the best unit to use.

Tom

Do you mean the head unit?

If so, just stay stock.

There's nothing wrong with it and the navigation is faster than aftermarket units. It doesn't have all the cool features of the new ones, but it is a good unit (the dvd based Mark IV, anyway).

OP states he does not have NAV.

I am therefore assuming it is the business set up? Replace the head unit, run the MID into the glove box to retain OBC functions.

If you buy an Andrive there is a wire set up that will allow you to retain the DSP. I think Dynavin may a possible set up for this also.

dose any one no why only one speaker works in my x5 I been trying to find the amp as I got told it was that but there is no amp in my car what do I do next ?