Anything I Need To Know Before Sub Install?

[drifts14x]

Hey there guys, I need to borrow some knowledge pertaining to installing subs in a 1992 E34 525i wagon. Here's the deal, my car has the stock stereo, with an aftermarket 12 disc CD changer already installed in it. I know the basics of wiring a system up, I will have an easy time with the main power (positive terminal) being under the seat and all, but which wire on the stock harness is the remote-start wire, the one I'll need to splice. Also, I don't know how the 12 disc changer is hooked up to the head unit, so if it is via RCA cables, do I buy a splitter, or is there another set of RCA connections on the back of the stock head unit? Sorry for the long post, I look forward to your responses.

[da_bull]

You will need a multimeter (not a test light) to check which wire behind the radio gives you 11-13 volts only when the radio turns on. If a remember right, it is a smaller white wire. That will go to the remote lead of your amplifier.

On the factory radio there are no RCA cables. They make high-to-low level convertors for about 15 bucks. These are tapped into your speaker wires and give you a set of RCAs to run to your amplifier. Get a good one, 15-20 retail, as the cheaper ones sometimes introduce noise. They will have directions to install. They're not too bad to do.

Your cd changer uses an FM modulator to take the CD signal and turn it into an FM signal for your radio to pick up, so unfortunately there isn't anything on it you can use.

As you stated the power and ground are easily obtained.

A little more work, but it can be done. Hope this helps...

[drifts14x]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate the info, I will be getting started on that as soon as I get paid this week.

[jllphan]

Good job bull. I just sold an E34 5er touring and had put one hell of a system in it. Don't you just love those seperates in the ceiling? For an oem design in the early 90's, it's stellar. I actually removed the jack tray (under the cargo floor closer to the rear seats) and made a sweet custom amp rack. I took the cargo area where the oem changer would be and built a box for a single L7 solobaric sub. Worked out very well.

Once you have power and ground, all you need to run is RCA's, and remote wire. The remote wire (oem harness behind the oem deck) is indeed white (pin 16). If your installing an amp and sub, you really should replace your head unit. A decent deck can be had for under $200, and it will GREATLY improve the sound quality of your system. Doing this will also prevent the need for a line level converter, that you would otherwise need to get RCA's (for your amp). Get a Kenwood or Alpine deck, its so worth it.

[da_bull]

Yeah, it always amazed me how much further along the quality of the factory audio systems in the BMWs are over all of the Domestics and most of the imports. They are SO much better. The audio leap they made from the E28 to the E34, is amazing.

But like you said, there is no comparison to a $200-300 aftermarket one. I have yet to find a factory system that was so good that I said "Wow this sounds great, there is nothing more you can do to make it sound better"

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