Better Audio without Premium Audio ?

Wow - I just realized that premium Hi-FI add 6 more speakers to the 10 already in the car and multiplies power from 140W to 600W. No I wish I had gotten this in the car i ordered.

I talked to a reputable (yelp) installer in my area and he had one big concern. He said that BMW are notorious for voiding warranty if something goes wrong. for example, if another component in the car will break down, they might blame it on the aftermarket audio install.

I called Long Beach BMW and the CS said that although many people do have aftermarket system, if BMW will determine that an aftermarket installation is the cause of an issue, they might not cover it.

The installer advised me to not do the install. I will get a second opinion but what do you guys think ?

My general experiance is they will find any excuse not to cover a warrenty item.
So if you can live with the sound, then do so.

Obviously, there are ways around this, but this requires you to be hands on in the event you need to take it in for a related warrenty issue...if so, plan your system design accordingly upfront

Originally Posted by Ilan

I talked to a reputable (yelp) installer in my area and he had one big concern. He said that BMW are notorious for voiding warranty if something goes wrong. for example, if another component in the car will break down, they might blame it on the aftermarket audio install.

I called Long Beach BMW and the CS said that although many people do have aftermarket system, if BMW will determine that an aftermarket installation is the cause of an issue, they might not cover it.

The installer advised me to not do the install. I will get a second opinion but what do you guys think ?

The example install posted before will replace the OEM amp directly, without cutting, tapping or splicing any OEM wires or fiber optics cables. 100% reversible.

In the worst case that you blow an OEM speaker (the MS-8 may burn first) then there will be no warranty for the speaker. If you are sleazy -not that I am calling you sleazy- then unplug the MS-8, put back the OEM amp and then claim the warranty of whatever in the audio is defective.

Do it right to begin with and you will not have to claim any audio warranty repair. And you will not have to be sleazy...

Originally Posted by Technic

The example install posted before will replace the OEM amp directly, without cutting, tapping or splicing any OEM wires or fiber optics cables. 100% reversible.

In the worst case that you blow an OEM speaker (the MS-8 may burn first) then there will be no warranty for the speaker. If you are sleazy -not that I am calling you sleazy- then unplug the MS-8, put back the OEM amp and then claim the warranty of whatever in the audio is defective.

Do it right to begin with and you will not have to claim any audio warranty repair. And you will not have to be sleazy...

About 10 years ago my warranty was denied when my navigation failed (this was on a benz). I added a subwoofer and amp about a year prior to this time. Guess what they blamed was the cause? They ended up replacing my command center, but I had to fight tooth and nail for months. So I wouldn’t consider a reversible system sleazy, its more so you don’t get sleazed on. If you blow a speaker with a new amp, switch it back to OEM and claim warranty, yes that’s sleazy. But if your idrive goes or Nav, I would strongly recommend swapping back to OEM before you claim warranty or you will most likely get sleazed. Just my opinion and experiance.

Originally Posted by Technic

The example install posted before will replace the OEM amp directly, without cutting, tapping or splicing any OEM wires or fiber optics cables. 100% reversible.

In the worst case that you blow an OEM speaker (the MS-8 may burn first) then there will be no warranty for the speaker. If you are sleazy -not that I am calling you sleazy- then unplug the MS-8, put back the OEM amp and then claim the warranty of whatever in the audio is defective.

Do it right to begin with and you will not have to claim any audio warranty repair. And you will not have to be sleazy...

I am not worried about the speakers getting blown but about other things in the car. for example - head unit or even other electrical systems. I am unfamiliar with how crafty BMW can be and if they claim that pretty much anything going wrong is due to someone messing with the Audio.

Originally Posted by LukeS

About 10 years ago my warranty was denied when my navigation failed (this was on a benz). I added a subwoofer and amp about a year prior to this time. Guess what they blamed was the cause? They ended up replacing my command center, but I had to fight tooth and nail for months. So I wouldn’t consider a reversible system sleazy, its more so you don’t get sleazed on. If you blow a speaker with a new amp, switch it back to OEM and claim warranty, yes that’s sleazy. But if your idrive goes or Nav, I would strongly recommend swapping back to OEM before you claim warranty or you will most likely get sleazed. Just my opinion and experiance.

exactly what I am worried about.

Originally Posted by LukeS

About 10 years ago my warranty was denied when my navigation failed (this was on a benz). I added a subwoofer and amp about a year prior to this time. Guess what they blamed was the cause? They ended up replacing my command center, but I had to fight tooth and nail for months. So I wouldn’t consider a reversible system sleazy, its more so you don’t get sleazed on. If you blow a speaker with a new amp, switch it back to OEM and claim warranty, yes that’s sleazy. But if your idrive goes or Nav, I would strongly recommend swapping back to OEM before you claim warranty or you will most likely get sleazed. Just my opinion and experiance.

That's not sleazy, that's a good case for 100% reversible.

even if it'll be reversed, wont BMW be able to tell that work has been done ?

Originally Posted by Ilan

even if it'll be reversed, wont BMW be able to tell that work has been done ?

If you use Technics suggestion on the amp, then no way. I would do that first and reevaluate your sound before proceeding.

Just to be clear -- the first step is to install the JBL MS-8 while leaving everything else the same?

Originally Posted by wildcardz

Just to be clear -- the first step is to install the JBL MS-8 while leaving everything else the same?

Just a suggestion, but yes. You may be satisfied with just that. If distortion is the issue, that will resolve it and clean up the sound. If you need to fill sound gaps , then you will need to do more dependent on what you desire. Most desire more bass.

Originally Posted by wildcardz

Just to be clear -- the first step is to install the JBL MS-8 while leaving everything else the same?

The MS-8 is a suggestion just because it has a built-in 8-channel 240W RMS amp, Logic7 processing and autotuning. Pretty much what the Premium OEM amp has and is but with better custom adjustability.

The OEM speakers can be left in place as they sound quite clear and loud with aftermarket power. They can be replaced later if better performance is required. But for a first upgrade, this should satisfy most owners.

Originally Posted by Technic

The MS-8 is a suggestion just because it has a built-in 8-channel 240W RMS amp, Logic7 processing and autotuning. Pretty much what the Premium OEM amp has and is but with better custom adjustability.

The OEM speakers can be left in place as they sound quite clear and loud with aftermarket power. They can be replaced later if better performance is required. But for a first upgrade, this should satisfy most owners.

Thanks. The OEM amp is 160W?

EDIT: Nvm, I found this on BMW's website:
Audio system
Anti-theft AM/FM stereo/CD audio system with Auto-Store, FM diversity antenna system, MP3 capabilities, and 10-speaker, multichannel high-fidelity sound system incorporating an analog amplifier with 180-watt output power. The system includes 3 tweeters, 5 midrange speakers and one central bass speaker located under each front seat.

Originally Posted by wildcardz

Thanks. The OEM amp is 160W?

EDIT: Nvm, I found this on BMW's website:
Audio system
Anti-theft AM/FM stereo/CD audio system with Auto-Store, FM diversity antenna system, MP3 capabilities, and 10-speaker, multichannel high-fidelity sound system incorporating an analog amplifier with 180-watt output power. The system includes 3 tweeters, 5 midrange speakers and one central bass speaker located under each front seat.

The F10 HiFi 7-channel OEM amp is actually about 205W max (25W x 5 + 40W x 2). The 180W was the old 6-channel OEM amp in the late E60.

Wonder if there is something like the MS-8 but with more power. I know that I can just add an external amp to it but like the idea of a single box solution to keep it simple. I haven't looked but anyone know where the oem amp is located? Great info btw.

Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Bimmer App

is there an amp in the standard audio system (basic)? if so where is it located? i will think i will go with technic advise, i asked my BMW dealer today here and they confirmed that there is no problem with after market speaker/amp etc as long it fits in the same location and no cable extensions, splicing, or any electrical modification that may affect the car electric/electronic circuits. sounds fair IMO, so if I go with the JBL MS-8 if it fits directly in the place of the OEM amp place, i am also getting the tweeter covers (part no# sent by technic) and gladen tweeters (direct fit) also there is gladen sub (direct fit) and no need for any mod.

does it make sense!!!

I think I'll go with the MS-8 as Technic suggested and take it from there. where would it be installed ? can you (or anyone else) can recommend a good installer in LA/OC (socal) area ?

Originally Posted by messiry

is there an amp in the standard audio system (basic)? if so where is it located? i will think i will go with technic advise, i asked my BMW dealer today here and they confirmed that there is no problem with after market speaker/amp etc as long it fits in the same location and no cable extensions, splicing, or any electrical modification that may affect the car electric/electronic circuits. sounds fair IMO, so if I go with the JBL MS-8 if it fits directly in the place of the OEM amp place, i am also getting the tweeter covers (part no# sent by technic) and gladen tweeters (direct fit) also there is gladen sub (direct fit) and no need for any mod.

does it make sense!!!

No tweeters in the front doors have meant no OEM amp so far. The iDrive unit powers the 6 speakers directly.

I do not think that the F10 has changed that.

Originally Posted by CyclePimps

Wonder if there is something like the MS-8 but with more power. I know that I can just add an external amp to it but like the idea of a single box solution to keep it simple. I haven't looked but anyone know where the oem amp is located? Great info btw.

Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Bimmer App

The F10 OEM amp is located under the left side trunk liner/trim.

The MS-8 and the Zapco DC series are the only DSP processors with built-in amplifiers currently available.

Originally Posted by Technic

The F10 HiFi 7-channel OEM amp is actually about 205W max (25W x 5 + 40W x 2). The 180W was the old 6-channel OEM amp in the late E60.

So are you saying the website is outdated?

Originally Posted by Technic

No tweeters in the front doors have meant no OEM amp so far. The iDrive unit powers the 6 speakers directly.

I do not think that the F10 has changed that.

Technic, that answer confused me a bit.

So on the standard stereo, there is no AMP to upgrade and the speakers are being driven directly from the iDrive - is that correct? My car is going to come with the standard radio so I want to plan if I need to upgrade and my options.

Originally Posted by miamiboyca

So are you saying the website is outdated?

That is not unusual.

Originally Posted by miamiboyca

Technic, that answer confused me a bit.

So on the standard stereo, there is no AMP to upgrade and the speakers are being driven directly from the iDrive - is that correct? My car is going to come with the standard radio so I want to plan if I need to upgrade and my options.

The most basic BMW audio system is the Stereo (no OEM amp, 6-speaker system) which have the speakers driven by the radio directly. And the easiest way of determining that is by noticing the absence of door pillar tweeters. The front mids and underseat woofers are connected in parallel and driven by the radio front outputs.

That system is not available in the USA F10. We get the HiFi (7-channel OEM amp, 10-speaker system)

Many thanks for this, yes i have a european F10 and no door tweeters. I hope there is a away to change this and upgrade/add tweeters and amp to the system. it is a shame to have such car and bad audio quality.