BMW 2004 330i Project (any input welcome)

**hifiguy** · 01-28-2005, 09:32 PM

thanks for the additional pics.

i was also considering mb quarts but the highs also worried me, so now i think i may go with dynaudio's SYSTEM 240 GT since the sound is suppose to be warmer, as well as a better flush fit on the front doors.

**jedi7001** · 02-05-2005, 12:38 AM

update.... I just installed my Amplifiers for the sound system as well as have power to my Opus power supply! This was pretty straight forward and I will be posting pics at the end of the weekend. My latest dilema is trying to decide if I am going to buy MB QUART Premium speakers for the cabin or Infinity Kappa Perfects. I am also debating the same brands for Subwoofers.

**Nico3k** · 02-05-2005, 02:20 PM

Looks great so far! How much did you pay for the IBUS serial adaptor?
Welcome to the BMW club

**jedi7001** · 02-05-2005, 04:13 PM

I think I paid $35-45 shipped. It was fully assembled. He offers parts only and DIY kits for much cheaper. It was not worth my time so I paid the full price.

**phita23** · 02-05-2005, 04:29 PM

Jedi - Are you using your HU's Aux-in to play the computer's audio? If so, how is your aux in hooked up? Are there any resistors/capacitors?

Also, what program are you using to interperate the IBUS signals?
Have you been successful in having the ibus signals control winamp?

As you can see, I'm having a lot of problems with IBUS.

**jedi7001** · 02-05-2005, 09:28 PM

No, the HK stuff and the HU are coming out (already out). However, I did hook my laptop up today to the audigy NX I installed to see if the sound worked through the speakers and it was a sucess. The HK speakers sounds like crap though.

No, I have not hooked up the IBUS and worked on the software yet. I am just getting ready to install the PC and start working onthe software. I have decided to use Frodoplayer after playing with it for a few days. What a great frontend.

**phita23** · 02-05-2005, 09:39 PM

Ok, when do you do try it with the stock HU, let me know how it goes.

I can't use the IBUS and Aux-in it to my laptop at the same time.

**jedi7001** · 02-05-2005, 11:07 PM

Ok, I went right at it today since I now have power to the Opus. I decided to tackle the stock headunit and the console in the middle of the car. The HU was REALLY easy to remove. The hardest part is poping the trim out.

I then removed the ashtray compartment so that I could install the relacement that I ordered from BMW. You will need the unit that comes with the navigation models so that the air controls will move lower in the dash.

Note the damn allen screws on the back of the DSC/heated seats/DSP button controls. These are hard to get to and you must put the car in drive to get this thing out. Not real hard but I stripped the allen screws so I was ****ed. I used relacement screws to mount it back on the new unit. I hate Allen screws!

Now to put it back in place. I also pulled out the double din stereo holder (?)...you need to cut the plastic piece out that splits the double din into 2 din slots. No big deal, just cut the thin plastic so the Xenarc will fit.

Now, I put it back together with my modified USB hub installed in the ashtray. I had to use a dremmel to make it fit into the ashtray. I then painted the hub black and drilled holes in the side of the tray for the wires. I like having this USB close to the driver so I can quickly transfer photos from my camera or hook up any other peripheral that I choose

Just a taste of what it will look like....I am really excited now. just waiting to find a good price on a new Xenarc on ebay.

PS. I just ordered the MB Quart PCE216 Premium Components for my front stage today.

**jedi7001** · 02-05-2005, 11:17 PM

What do you guys think of me adding two Xenarcs (non touchscreen) in my rear headrests? I found some for really cheap and I figured this would be a great add. I am just going to split the signal so that the same video would be played on all three monitors. I am using onboard video and want to know if I would notice a degrade in the quality? Does anyone have a good link to a thread that discusses this? I had a hard time finding what I want.

**ayclens** · 02-07-2005, 01:16 AM

Jedi: For the amount that the rear headrests will actually be used, I would advise against getting Xenarcs. They are too high quality! In my opinion, rear monitors are mostly for the bling factor anyway and since you will simply be feeding the headrests s-video or composite signal instead of VGA, just get cheaper monitors that only have s-video or composite. I bought 3 LCD screens from Armen on the board here for $150 for the lot of them. I've hooked them up for test so far and they look great for playing video or visualisations. Not for use with reading lots of text, but that isn't what rear headrests are for. My 2 cents...