Custom Kicker Amp and Subwoofer Install
 

As title says, I am going to be installing a all Kicker Sound System in the E70. The factory subs just isn't enough for me. I don't want too much sound either. Going small with a 8' Kicker and small Kicker Amp tucked away under the spare tire hatch. Let's get started. A Few pictures to get it going. First I will install a Kicker Level Converter for the RCA's. Going to tap into the rear speakers to get the source from there for the converter. More coming Soon . . . .

*Update* Ended up going with a 10' which came with a passive radiator. I ended up making a custom box as the factory enclosure was too small to create enough bass. See posts for more info.

Soldered the connections to the rear speaker lines. Used shrink wrap for each wire, then shrink wrapped them both with a larger wrap. Wrapped harness with tesa tape for a clean install. Finished the RCA converter. Tucked right next to factory amp. Next I need to mount the amp and make connections. More updates coming soon!

Going to be using Kicker 4 gauge wire for this application. Was going to use 8 gauge as the amp is small, but decided not to. Kicker recommends 4 gauge so 4 gauge it is. Should be getting a shipment later on today:D. More updates soon.

Looks great so far. I just did a similar install: 750w rms NVX amp and a Sundown E-10 in a ported box. I love it! BMW makes the install pretty easy by having everything in the trunk. You can connect the power line easily where the main power line from the battery goes through the trunk floor under the car. There is a stud with a nut that can be undone so a ring terminal can be slipped over and retightened. No need to connect directly to the batter since it’s such a short run. The negative can be connected to the stud where the main negative battery cable connects to the chassis.

Nice work so far. I love how clean tesa tape makes things look. I keep it on hand for all my BMW installs.

BTW, are there subs (under the seat or something) in the e70? I ask because you say the factory subs are not enough. And, then if you have subs, why not tap the LOC onto those instead of the rear to avoid impacting your fader? Just questions as I am not familiar yet with the sound system in the wife's e70.

Good question, I didn't tap into the subs because I'm not sure the output. Yes, the E70 has subs under the front seats. The LOC has a 40 or so max watt rating. Just to play it safe, I went with the rear speakers.

Absolutely, love BMW's for their easy access to key components. This should make the install much easier and require much less wire.

I'm sure the rear speakers have a subsonic filter on them, so you may not get frequency response at the low-end. I know the subwoofer outputs have a subsonic filter that begins declining output around 30Hz; I'd imagine the cutoff is higher for the speakers. I used the Navone Engineering LOC, which is able to handle the subwoofer output wattage.

Change of plan, going with a 10' instead of the 8'. Updates coming soon.

^Good idea. I'm running an 8" (came with the car) BSW setup in my E53 and it's not enough punch. Gets too muddy if you try to push the lower frequencies to it. I much prefer 10's, and even more 12's, for near complete low end reproduction.