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E39 Amplifier



 
 
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  #1  
Old September 18th 04, 03:45 AM
BTF
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Default E39 Amplifier

Only the BMW's with the DSP option have the extra amplifier, plus that
amplifier only takes a digital input.

"Lapchien" > wrote in message
...
> well, mine doesn't - hence the question!
>
>
> "Jim Levie" > wrote in message
> news
>> On Thu, 16 Sep 2004 15:36:52 +0100, Lapchien wrote:
>>
>> > Does anyone know if it is possible to add an amp to an E39? I think it
>> > just goes into a bracket, a little like the way the cd changer does.
>> > Is
>> > there some pre-wiring already there?
>> >

>> As far as I know every E39 will already have an amplifier. I think it's
>> mounted in the trunk just above where the CD changer lives.
>>
>> --
>> The instructions said to use Windows 98 or better, so I installed RedHat.
>>

>
>



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  #2  
Old September 18th 04, 06:56 PM
Dave Plowman (News)
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Default

In article >,
BTF > wrote:
> Only the BMW's with the DSP option have the extra amplifier, plus that
> amplifier only takes a digital input.


Mine hasn't got DSP, but has an external amp.

--
*Failure is not an option. It's bundled with your software.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
  #3  
Old September 18th 04, 09:38 PM
Jim Levie
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Default

On Fri, 17 Sep 2004 19:45:21 -0700, BTF wrote:

> Only the BMW's with the DSP option have the extra amplifier, plus that
> amplifier only takes a digital input.
>

No. The radio on any modern BMW is just a head unit that requires an
external amplifier. On an E39 the amp is mounted on the left side of the
trunk just behind and above the CD changer's location. I can't say if all
BMW models mount the amp on the left side of the trunk, but a sampling of
three ('01 E39, '91 E39, & '90 E32) all have the amp in that location
(might be a trend here).

> "Lapchien"

> wrote in message
> ...
>> well, mine doesn't - hence the question!
>>

And do you have a stock BMW radio, or has it been changed out to an after
market unit? With a BMW head unit no amp equals no sound.

--
The instructions said to use Windows 98 or better, so I installed RedHat.

  #4  
Old September 19th 04, 04:27 AM
BTF
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Default


The two posts following mine are likely correct. I stand corrected, but I'm
unclear how his radio works if all he has is a head unit (pre-amp) but no
amp.

"Jim Levie" > wrote in message
news
> On Fri, 17 Sep 2004 19:45:21 -0700, BTF wrote:
>
>> Only the BMW's with the DSP option have the extra amplifier, plus that
>> amplifier only takes a digital input.
>>

> No. The radio on any modern BMW is just a head unit that requires an
> external amplifier. On an E39 the amp is mounted on the left side of the
> trunk just behind and above the CD changer's location. I can't say if all
> BMW models mount the amp on the left side of the trunk, but a sampling of
> three ('01 E39, '91 E39, & '90 E32) all have the amp in that location
> (might be a trend here).
>
>> "Lapchien"

> > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> well, mine doesn't - hence the question!
>>>

> And do you have a stock BMW radio, or has it been changed out to an after
> market unit? With a BMW head unit no amp equals no sound.
>
> --
> The instructions said to use Windows 98 or better, so I installed RedHat.
>



  #5  
Old September 19th 04, 12:24 PM
Andrew Thomas
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Default

Jim Levie > wrote in message >...
> On Fri, 17 Sep 2004 19:45:21 -0700, BTF wrote:
>
> > Only the BMW's with the DSP option have the extra amplifier, plus that
> > amplifier only takes a digital input.
> >

> No. The radio on any modern BMW is just a head unit that requires an
> external amplifier.


....in the US, sure. But the OP is from the UK (or at least has a UK
email address). Some early, down-spec E39 5ers (and every 3er sold up
until right now in the UK, all European and most Asian markets) have
an amplifier built into the head unit.
  #6  
Old September 19th 04, 12:29 PM
Andrew Thomas
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Default

"Lapchien" > wrote in message >...
> Does anyone know if it is possible to add an amp to an E39? I think it just
> goes into a bracket, a little like the way the cd changer does. Is there
> some pre-wiring already there?


Pre-wiring, if your car has the basic stereo system with an amp built
into the head unit, will not be present. I am less familiar with the
E39 set-up, but there is clearly an "entry-level" setup which has no
external amplifier.

You can of course buy all the parts necessary to upgrade to the
"Hi-fi" or "Top Hi-fi" versions, but the cost will run into many
thousands of pounds. By a light year, your better bet is to buy a
good, aftermarket amplifier capable of taking speaker-level input, and
some replacement speakers. A high-quality aftermarket head unit will
also improve things soundwise, but requires an adapter plate.
Besides, almost all of them look terrible - blinging, flashing crap
that looks like it was designed by Eminem and will mug you the moment
you get into the car.
  #7  
Old September 19th 04, 03:19 PM
Dave Plowman (News)
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Default

In article >,
Andrew Thomas > wrote:
> ...in the US, sure. But the OP is from the UK (or at least has a UK
> email address). Some early, down-spec E39 5ers (and every 3er sold up
> until right now in the UK, all European and most Asian markets) have
> an amplifier built into the head unit.


Early low spec UK cars are pretty rare because the demand was so high, and
BMW weren't going to miss out on profit.

But I thought all E39 radios had external amps - the head unit is after
all a special.

--
*Don't squat with your spurs on *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
 




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