Y34 custom stereo install progress--trunk is almost complete!

[paperfootball]

For any of you thinking of installing music in the Y34, don't! It has really been one unbelievable project that has been one year (and counting) in the making.

Here are some progress pics....







Rough in after we fiberglassed the amp rack, tub, sides, etc...













Here it is after it was smoothed, painted, wrapped in suede, etc. We used the same suede that was used on my headliner--I also wrapped the rear deck (removed the bose grill at the same time) and the trunk lid underside in the same suede.





It looks like the MB quart crossovers aren't hooked up, but they are--they were taken apart and resodered so that you do not see the wires coming into them.

Every opening that you see where suede meets paint is stitched like this--very tedious work, much props to the upholstery guy!



Now we have to finish up the inside--probably another year!

[InfinitiMe]

Looks great. What's inside?

It's all about the Dynamat, too! I had my entire M35x Dynamated. Excellent investment.

[szh]

Very impressive work!

Z

[jonlex99]

Looks great

[maqueswell]

Absolutely Beautiful!

[paperfootball]

Looks great. What's inside?

It's all about the Dynamat, too! I had my entire M35x Dynamated. Excellent investment.

Aside from taking the dash out to replace the front tweeters we plan on glassing a double din into the console, adding the video module, K40, etc, etc.

Thanks guys! The installer is amazing!

[DRIPS]

Perfection has been acheived!!

[Boon]

Very well done. Looks great. What did you do up front? Did you replace the factory head unit?

[mcdoken]

How are you going to port the sound from those speakers into the passenger area? Just shake the whole car?

[paperfootball]

How are you going to port the sound from those speakers into the passenger area? Just shake the whole car?

Exactly!We took all the time we needed to fabricate the location of the pieces and then installed everything and thought, "now how are we going to fire this into the car?" /sarcasm

We actually fabricated a port above the amprack, the port runs almost the length of the amprack(it's covered with mesh), then the factory bose sub hole is now open(though you can't see it because it is covered in suede). There are also vents near the back of the deck lid(where the glass meets the bottom), we placed the amprack behind the vents so that the music will also fire through those vents.

[paperfootball]

Very well done. Looks great. What did you do up front? Did you replace the factory head unit?

It's still running off of the factory HU right now--I didn't want to lose all of the controls. The alpine processor is like a *much* more sophisticated clean sweep, so everything really runs through that. I do plan on glassing a double din in the console, but it will just be a different "source" and I will keep the stock information screen above. I have a video module to be installed so that I can play video, etc from the stock screen....

Thanks!

[maxnix]

So, where is the luggage stored on a trip?

Whaa? I can't hear you! Something thumping very loudly!

[paperfootball]

So, where is the luggage stored on a trip?

Whaa? I can't hear you! Something thumping very loudly!

I don't take it on trips. I have other cars for that.

I can't believe that you didn't ask where the spare was, or if I decided to upgrade to runflats, or how much the added weight effected the stock weight ratio of the car, or if the added weight combined with the 20" wheels caused the car to become rotationally out of balance when exiting the freeway, or if the fiberglass flexed when cornering, etc.

Basically, if it's not teh uber stock, you hate on it. Which is cool, I get it and appreciate your side of things. I would just love to meet you in real life so that I could see exactly what's doing. Do you visit hobby shops on a regular basis by chance?
Modified by paperfootball at 12:27 PM 5/2/2009

[jadeM45]

Man that is a very clean setup. I would love to know how the alpine integrates and the Video on the stock screen works.

Very Nice sir!

[mikeym45x]

Looks great! Pro install for sure. Stupid question, but is that our gas tank? (in the progress pics)

[paperfootball]

Looks great! Pro install for sure. Stupid question, but is that our gas tank? (in the progress pics)

Yep, that's the gas tank.

Jadem45, I will let you know once I get everything inside installed/working.

Thanks!

[kingpin]

btw did you ever replace the fuel sending unit in this car , they have a lot of issues and i would hate to see all this work thorn apart just to replace the sending unit - ie the no fuel gauge sickenss with the y 34



look great = lets how you have road side for the flat tire ( not trying to be a prick but just passing on the info )

[DJY34]

I don't take it on trips. I have other cars for that.

I can't believe that you didn't ask where the spare was, or if I decided to upgrade to runflats, or how much the added weight effected the stock weight ratio of the car, or if the added weight combined with the 20" wheels caused the car to become rotationally out of balance when exiting the freeway, or if the fiberglass flexed when cornering, etc.

Basically, if it's not teh uber stock, you hate on it. Which is cool, I get it and appreciate your side of things. I would just love to meet you in real life so that I could see exactly what's doing. Do you visit hobby shops on a regular basis by chance?

Modified by paperfootball at 12:27 PM 5/2/2009

Well said.. Life has got to be no fun when you hate everything

[jadeM45]

Paper:

Do you know how to remove the center section that houses all the radio controlls etc. I was thinking of doing something with it.

[szh]

Paper:

Do you know how to remove the center section that houses all the radio controlls etc. I was thinking of doing something with it.

Some information is available in the M Service Manual ... link is in my sig (in my first post on this page ... further up).

Z

[DELUNASC]

Jade, The whole unit just pops out. You can pry it with a pry tool from either side carefully, and it will come out.

[jadeM45]

COOL THANKS!

[kingpin]

i am not a hateing on any one , i had work some and i had to rip it all apart after my sending unit was broken at only 50 km , so i was never aware of all the issues that this model had , say what you want but i was trying to help and passing on key information so you will not have to rip the nice work back up ! = you will be amazed of what people don't know just like on this topic a few years back - trying to help but its obvious that you know every thing

good luck !

[kingpin]

btw - full junction produce body kit including,muffler,front grill ,air runner suspension,and just bought some traffic star rims ,i could keep going all day but i stop here , parts from the car was on import tuner of the year !!!!! silver m45

[paperfootball]

Paper:

Do you know how to remove the center section that houses all the radio controlls etc. I was thinking of doing something with it.

Yep, as stated above it just pulls right out--there are pics floating around here of someone doing it.

Thanks for the heads up about the gauge/sending unit. I have alreay started to have the gauge problem, but as I understand it, it is the gauge and the sending unit is fine. Worse case, I can remove the amp rack and trim panels in about 15 minutes. You can also access the sending unit by removing the rear seat, then removing the center section behind the seat. you need really thin arms, but I had a guy reach back there and remove/reinstall the sending unit just to make sure.

About the tires/flats....I only drive the car 5000 miles a year, so I will take my chances. I never put the kids in it, so it would just be me, perhaps me and the wife stranded on a dark road waiting for a wrecker. BTW, did you guys know that Mustang GT500's come with a can of fixaflat and an air compressor from the factory--no spare! At least BMW gives you runflats on the 6 series etc.

[kingpin]

my 2009 m 3 has no spare , run flats is an option that i took , i actually had a flat cmoing in to the office today and the sensor went off , i called bmw and they took the car away on a flat deck and gave me G 37s for a rental car , figures .....

btw paper did you do any other work done , my car is in the shop getting fender work done to mount some new rims ,,,,

[paperfootball]

btw paper did you do any other work done , my car is in the shop getting fender work done to mount some new rims ,,,,

You mean in terms of mods to the car? Just regular stuff--suede headliner, tint, clear bra, dropped on teins, wheels, etc.

Sorry about your bad luck with the flat! I have a 08 M3 4door in the shop today that we are detailing/installing clear bra--very nice! The customer has done a bunch mods(warranty is gone!)--360 forged wheels, exhaust, lip spoilers front/rear, new truck, etc, etc. What an amazing car, I know that you love drivng it!

[kingpin]

mines is stock - sliver on taun interior -
Modified by Petrol head at 10:57 PM 8/6/2009