Stereo Upgrade

[makara6]

I have just purchased a 98 318 motor sport and joined this site.I want to upgrade the stereo economically(student!). What difference would simply changing the speakers only make?. I have put a wanted add for a CD43 head on this site...but wonder if I keep the old cassette head unit-instead of replacing, will it downgrade the system much?. I have read alot of the informative info on stereo upgrades already. Many thanks to all that have contributed.

[tiFreak]

I'd just get the CD player and keep the stock speakers, the stock speakers aren't that bad

[John318ti]

Originally Posted by makara6

I have just purchased a 98 318 motor sport and joined this site.I want to upgrade the stereo economically(student!). What difference would simply changing the speakers only make?. I have put a wanted add for a CD43 head on this site...but wonder if I keep the old cassette head unit-instead of replacing, will it downgrade the system much?. I have read alot of the informative info on stereo upgrades already. Many thanks to all that have contributed.

Hey Makara. When I got my car the speakers sounded pretty bad, so I decided to just change those out and not change the deck. IMO it really didn't sound much better. I ended up buying a new deck along with the speakers, and that really made a huge difference. I would do what Pauly said first and see how it sounds with a new deck, and if you aren't satisfied with that go ahead and change the speakers. (Also if I could change anything with my system, I would have put a pre amp in for the speakers)

[makara6]

Thanks guys for responding. I want to run an ipod, and on further research think the CD43 is not compatible unless I buy an ICE unit (expensive). Maybe it will be better to change the head unit to aftermarket...though I would have liked to keep the car fairly original. I think some of the ipod compatible aftermarket units will look better-lighting colour etc. Any thoughts?. Thanks

[hotmilk400]

... you are driving a BMW and wont buy a $100 - $150 head unit =] .. haha.. i know how you feel tho.. full time student + 25 hours a week at work = no time to fix up my car..

replace the head unit with something of some quality and you will hear a major difference.. the speakers are fine as is.. the stock ones sound fine and can handle alot of power..

[AlexBimz]

I thought i'd share my intented upgrade. The stock 10 speaker sound system with cassette deck, as we all know, is not as great as the modern sound systems put on cars today. Personally, i think our systems are pretty loud, its the bass thats HORRENDOUS! Its basically inexistent, all sound NO thump. My intented upgrade SOLELY includes a Infinity Basslink (harmon kardon) sub(10") with built in amp(200w). Its the same one that bavauto sells for $450, but i saw it on amazon for $175 new and shipped! From what i read, its a simple install and also includes an adjustable knob that mounts upfront where ever you'd like it to be. We have hatchbacks (aka our trunks are part of our cars)... we really dont need (and also have trouble fitting) 2- 12" subs + one or two amps to sufficiently produce the bass we lack in our stock systems. In my opinion, the Infinity Basslink seems to be the perfect upgrade and at a reasonable price.... for the record; a new deck is somewhat pointless to me because i hardly use CD's, but rather the radio or a MP3 player which i use a sony aux cassette adaptor which i bought for about $15.

[yoda]

Back in 1999 when I had my old 318ti, I only added an 8" Amplified BAZOOKA! It was small enough and loud enough for our cars... that is if you're only looking to enhance BASS response to your sound system and not looking to make everyone else hear and feel every low end nuance and vibration of your music while you're driving!...
Not sure if they make those anymore but they are really really good... some people enjoy the the "boomy less thumpy" sound of it... that means that they give out quite a bit of resonance bass rather than loud Thumps (hits), making the sound feel much fuller.