'02 325 Wagon Audio Upgrade...Opinions, please

[hudathunk]

hello! i have an '02 325xi wagon.....stock business system....cassette/radio...8 speakers I think (maybe ten?)....anyhoo, I want to upgrade to a system that has integrated Sirius and iPod, and improve the low end. i'm presuming the simplest way is to replace the head unit, add Sirius and iPod and add a small sub in the back that I can move when needed. Does anyone have suggestions on head units, etc.? I've considered using a portable Sirius but hear that quality is not good. Alpine seems to be a de facto choice under $300....I want a simple interface...no bells, whistles or fancy opening trays...just good sound.
Fire away!!!!!


thanks...paul

[el_duderino]

OK, here's some opinions from someone who doesn't own that car but has been doing car audio for 18 years.

First off, I'm not convinced that you have to change the OEM HU to get Sirius and iPod. I mean, if you want indash CD, then yeah, but you don't HAVE to : )

Soundgate makes an adapter to allow the Kenwood tuner to work on your BMW direct, no FM Modulation.

If you use that setup, whcih emulates an external changer, the Icelink Plus won't work - but the Soundgate SIRBMW would allow a direct audio in, and you could use an Icelink AUX for audio.

Another option is to get the Sirius BMW kit from Crevier BMW (I am pretty sure your HU is compatible, but call Vaheh at Crevierbmw.com and ask) and then the Icelink will work.

I say all of the above BECAUSE I know that it's hard to get any HU to look clean and OEM in the BMW.

If you DO want to change the HU, I'd use the Nak CD-400 or the MB-VI six-disc. They will illuminate in orange and are the right color black plastic and are very clean in their industrial design. THey also both have an RCA aux input. You can run both Sirius AND an iPod in there with a switcher.

The Alpines integrate better with Sirius, but their iPod interface is clunky, and they don't make one that will integrate visually in the dash, really.

As far as speakers, I believe that you can get an 8" or maybe even a 10" fiberglassed into a compartment in the back and never have to move it. Have it look factory and sound great. I would be resistant to asking any cusstomer to put a big box in the back.

As far as amps that you can hide, Genesis makes some 1.5" tall Profile-series (not to be confused with Profile brand amps) that are fan cooled. We just used three of these in an X5 and they wourked well and sounded great.