where is the AMP - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Evil Vanos · 9th December 2005, 23:12

I'm trying to upgrade my stereo with a sub box in boot(has its own amp) and have been told to find mine? any tips guys i've bought Infinitys 13cm and tweeter cross overs for front and the back two way 13cm can more be fitted without loseing the origenal look cheers

KBK · 9th December 2005, 23:28

If you have the regular DSP audio, and not the M audio upgrade, then the sub..is under the rear window. The M audio sub may be identical, I don't know. I have a 2000 M5 year and DSP audio.

If you open the trunk, you will find that there is a slim box up there, covered in a plastic/carpet thing, and that box runs from left to right in the car, and is about 4 inches tall..andis about 37 inches long. Literally from the trunk to the seat back and wheel well to wheel well. Fills that whole rear window sill in size.

A seen from the trunk, it takes one screw inthe left? and two on the right.... I think it is a 8mm screw. Use a small ratchet and extrension. It pivots on two locking 'inserts' into the car's body, at the seatback area. If you undo the three screws, it should simply come out, by pivioting it on those lock points by the seatback.

The wiring (plug) locks to the speakerbox on the left side.

The left/right orientation I'm speaking of, is done from standing in front of the trunk with it open, same as usual compared to most 'driver's position' work manual orientations.

Evil Vanos · 10th December 2005, 00:39

to say that I am a complete arse would be an understatement, I ment to ask where my AMP is I've been looking for my SUB and haven't got one, also should the speakers in the parcel shelf be only 13cms? If yes what a load of s*it £56,000 for a super car with Lada(riveara)stereo as for the amp I've looked behind every panel in the boot,under the parcel self(inside the car)and under the back seat but still the AMP evades me !! Oh by the way when I took my back seat out, folded up very neatly in the rear underneath right hand(if sat on it)seat was a note in german saying Color of car type of leather time and date of compleation just wonderd if mine was unique, a Sh*t stereo with a hidden note from the makers !!!

KBK · 10th December 2005, 01:01

amp, if DSP, is behind the CD changer and navigation cd/DVD player. It's the big black box, up against the fender of the car, on the drivers side.

The install of a sub is not too difficult but it is not something for folks who have nver wired one before. It is a custom system design, and does not have regular car audio hook-ups. Sorrry Evil! It's not gonna happen today.....

The system in that car has to be tackled by someone who is familar with it. I'd never let my round the corner blokes take a stab at it. Not a chance. Too many things can go wrong. I know it pretty well, already, but putting a sub in there requires a bit of custom wiring work to be done by someone who as the complete BMW wiring manual and some expereince with the E39 chassis, when it comes to those audio systems.

Evil Vanos · 10th December 2005, 01:08

Bugger , Theres nowt behind the CD changer in the boot looks like more money

altough I'm still pi**ed off about the size and quality of the speaker system in the car, thanks KBK

Jayson · 10th December 2005, 01:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Vanos

Bugger , Theres nowt behind the CD changer in the boot looks like more money

altough I'm still pi**ed off about the size and quality of the speaker system in the car, thanks KBK

It's in there no matter what, It's a crapy looking black box toward the taillamp.

Richard in NC · 10th December 2005, 01:55

US Models had the 540i's optional "DSP" & Nokia sub system as standard. As discussed, it has a seperate amp (below/behind the CD changer and Nav disk unit) and a funky tuned port sub (kind of like the Bose radio) under the rear shelf. It also came with front bass, mid, & tweeters. Starting 2001, an M audio option was offered. It upgrades the amp, replaces the Nokia sub with twin free air 8 inch subs, and upgrades the fronts to a supposed better dual (tweeter & woofer) setup. It is better than standard but still doesn't impress an audiophile. Upgrading the fronts to better speakers is necessary at least.

If you don't have a seperate rear amp or either sub, it's possible that non-US models had a lesser base system. Its hard to tell what all it consists of. As mentioned, the E39 system can perplex even a good stereo installer.

BTW, my '99 540i had the Nokia sub. There seemed to be no holes in the rear shelf to easily mount bigger speakers. I think BMW re did it in '01 to allow for the M audio. Many folks just mounted a single big sub fired through the rear armrest pass through. It's not an ideal setup. There have been many posts on upgrade attempts. It can be done but does take effort to do it right and maintain the stock head unit and looks.

Evil Vanos · 10th December 2005, 02:22

Thanks for that I think mine is just a bag of s*ite in the front is

1 tweeter next to the mirror
2 a speaker in front of window and mirror controls(13 cm) on each of the front doors

and in the rear parcel shelf
2 13cm paper coned speakers NO subs and deffinatly no AMP my car is a 2000 and is an Import car(from belgium) but has all the uk specks

Richard in NC · 10th December 2005, 02:36

Unfortunately, it must be a base system. Check out http://www.realoem.com/bmw/. Upgraded front speakers, an amp, and rear sub(s) would make a huge difference. A good stereo shop would be a strong recommedation. Find out if they've done any e39s. Pick and choose carefully and you can get a great sounding system for a reasonable cost (no more than a big brake kit or full exhaust, & chip) and for less than just the cost of the BMW amp.

Chuckc · 10th December 2005, 04:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Vanos

Thanks for that I think mine is just a bag of s*ite in the front is

1 tweeter next to the mirror
2 a speaker in front of window and mirror controls(13 cm) on each of the front doors

and in the rear parcel shelf
2 13cm paper coned speakers NO subs and deffinatly no AMP my car is a 2000 and is an Import car(from belgium) but has all the uk specks

Double check your tweeter grills in your doors next the mirrors you are referring to. In my M5, the grills were there but there were no tweeters behind them. My E39 530i had tweeters there however. Go figure. Could be just a USA thing....dunno.