MBQuart + Subwoofer upgrade to E39 complete!

[mrogers]

Today, when I should have been studying for final exams, I installed my new sub and amp in my car, essentially completing my audio upgrade. A couple weekends ago I replaced all the 5.25" (4 total) and all the tweeters (4 total) with MBQuart RSC 213 Reference Line component speakers, and after much, much appreciated help from jllphan, I ordered my Kicker CVR-10 sub and Alpine MRD-M300 V12 amp last week.

Before I go any further, let me say that I know to many of you this is small-fry stuff, but this is the biggest audio upgrade I have ever done, and as jllphan will attest, I knew almost nothing when I started!

I post this information for other E39 owners who are on the fence about digging into their precious German vehicle, and for anyone who is as unexperienced with car audio as I was. Let me tell you: if I can do it, you can do it. What an incredible difference! The sound is now round and full and clear. It's just what I wanted, and it was done for a grand total of $500:

Sub: $80 shipped (brand new from eBay)
Amp: $170 shipped (also brand new from eBay)
MBQuarts (2 sets of 4): $180 shipped (brand new from eBay again)
Box: $40 Circuit City
Misc wiring hardware: $30 hardware store

As you can see, I bought the big stuff on eBay. Granted, there is a risk in that, but I've learned to be a savvy eBay shopper and know what to look for. Everything I bought was brand new and still sealed in its factory packaging, and for all three (sub, amp, and speakers), I paid roughly half of their retail cost. So I saved quite a bit.

As I said, the sound is great. I didn't even have to punch a hole behind my rear armrest like many bimmer owners do to be able to hear the sub better. The sub and amp can actually easily overpower the rest of the audio system.

I will try to post pics of how I mounted and wired the sub tomorrow night. AFTER my final exam

One more thing I think I want to do: I want to put midrange crossovers on all of the 5.25" MB Quarts, because they're still trying to pump out bass (which is a joke), and when I turn it up they start to sound a bit muddy. I have compensated for this at the moment by keeping the bass on the head unit almost all the way down but turning up the gain on the Alpine (sub) amp. Any advice on this plan?

[007ben]

good work.

pics of the install process could make for a good FAQ.

howabout pics of the sub and setup...

[mrogers]

Yes, like I said I'll be getting pics of the sub install by tonight. I didn't take pics of the MB Quart install because there already is an excellent write-up on that complete with pictures on bmwtips.com.

[pghbimmer]

What model MBQuartz did you use....Is the E39 a 4 ohm system with the amps? Are the MBQuartz 4 ohm compatable.

[mrogers]

As I stated in my original post, I used MB Quart RSC 213 Reference Line speakers. To be honest with you, I'm not sure what the exact specs of the OEM system is, but I had read the write-up on BMWtips of the person who had upgraded to MBQuart speakers so I just followed in his footsteps.

[mrogers]

Time for pictures!

Installed sub/box/amp:

[jllphan]

Looks great !!

Yes you have 4ohm speakers. Almost ALL aftermarket coaxial speakers are 4ohm.

[mrogers]

Power panel:

You can see the inline fuse holder in the top left, and follow that into the panel. Having that power panel available instead of wiring the amp right into the battery is awesome

[mrogers]

I haven't finished cleaning up the wiring yet, nor have I vaccumed the trunk, but that'll happen tomorrow. Once again, it sounds GREAT. I'm very happy with the way it turned out.

Another full shot:

[lwebb12]

those wires showing are a bit wierd. you should check out my shit

[mrogers]

uh, yes, thank you lwebb, if you read my posts you would see that I noted I haven't finished cleaning up the wiring yet. What of yours exactly should I check out?