Amp In E36 Compact? - BMW Forum

tommy25 · 02-23-2005, 05:08 PM

hy everyone, I have a E36 Compact and am planning on changing the headunit, speakers and adding an amp.

As I was reading about changing speakers and the HU I noticed people talking about a 4x15W amp already in the E36. So basicly my question is: Is there an amp in E36 compact and if there is where is it?

thanx alot

jllphan · 02-27-2005, 09:20 PM

Yeah there is, finding it is another question all together. Someone around here recently did an install on a compact. See if you can find that thread and PM the guy. Sorry I don't know where it is.

tommy25 · 02-28-2005, 07:58 AM

before I started this thread I looked through most of the group and couldnt find anything, but I noticed that someone mentioned that if you have 6 speakers there is no amp, is that true?

jllphan · 02-28-2005, 08:09 AM

No. To my knowledge, no oem BMW head unit has a built in amp. THat means that you have an amp somewhere in the car. I would look in the rear cargo area underneath the carpet. You have one somewhere.

tommy25 · 02-28-2005, 11:13 AM

thnx, that solves that problem.

btw is Hifonics or Soundforge a good choice for the front speakers because I can get a large discount on them or would it be much better to buy DLS or JBL

jllphan · 02-28-2005, 10:17 PM

I don't know HiFonics speakers, but their amps are outstanding, I'm sure their speakers are decent. I don't know if you can get them where your at, but I would recomend Infinity or PolkAudio.

swindon_matt_uk · 03-07-2005, 12:32 AM

Hello mate, it was me who did the amp install. There is no amp in the BMW Compact. Unless it was chosen on option. The factory HU was AMP'd like they are nowadays.

I did notice, however, that there was RCA leads in the car as standard. But that may of been for the audio for the CD changer! It looked like mine had been removed. I fitted an amp and a 12" sub in there. Also I have some Focal co-ax's (13cm) to go in the rear and looking at some 13cm components for the front!

The amp and sub is JBL and the HU is Clarion (when I get it repaired!!)

swindon_matt_uk · 03-07-2005, 12:50 AM

Heres a few pics of the amp install!

And theres my car in my Sigi, also if you want to see more, check my websHite.

CiscoKid · 03-07-2005, 09:29 AM

there is no amp... there is just crossovers on the left side of the trunk