Stereo/Speaker upgrades

[CMM83]

I've searched, but couldnt really find what I was looking for.

First of all, do I need special tools to ge the stock stereo out? I see the panels on the sides with the little holes so do I need to purchase a tool from somewhere or can I just try to find anythign to stick down there or what?

I have a Blaupunkt Orlando HU that I want to go in it's place. It looks like it should go right in the stock slot without trouble, but will I need any kind of adapter or anything?

I'm kind of confused by the speakers as well. I see there is a 5.25 in the kickpanel...but then also a tweeter and what looks like maybe another 4"? Why is that extra 4 (or is it a diff size?) in the door along with the 5.25 and the 1"?

And in the rear...there is a 4" speaker and then also another tweeter? I havn't had a chance to pull apart the interior to look at all this (obviously) but I just want an idea of whats goin on beforehand.

Does anyone have a website with a write up and pictures on doing stereo/speaker installations?

I just got my ti and I came out of a Miata. In the Miata it was real easy...6.25 in the doors.
I just don't really know where to start with my 318. Do I need to get component speakers throughout the car ($$ )?

Thanks for listening to my rambling...just wondering what others have done.

-Chris

[2ndBimmer]

The car, likely, has the 10 speaker system. 3 way components up front and 2 ways in rear.

Front woofers are 5.25", rear are 4". i think all the tweeters are 1" and I'd guess the mids in the doors are 3" but Im not sure there.

For the head unit, you might want a wire harness/adapter, but any normal headunit should fit. You can get the stock one out using a small allen wrench.

[CMM83]

Also, in my Miata I had an ipod hardwired in using a belkin car kit. I wired it straight into the cd player power then i connected it to the aux in on my HU and ran the wire up through the dash to my ipod mount.

Anyone done this with the 318? Is there a good spot to pull my cable through? The Miata dash console was easy to remove, what about the BMW? I really need to get the bentley manual.

Are there reasonably priced 3-way components? The one's I've seen are very expensive. I'm thinking about just getting either 2 way components and leaving the 3rd speaker in there or maybe just getting regular speakers. I had Infinti Kappa's in my other car that I loved.

thx

Chris

[Budget M3]

I wouldn't bother with 3-way components in the front. I tried it with my wife's '94 325iC and found that a good quality 2-way component sounds just as good for a lot less $$$. The real key to component speakers is in the tweeter and crossover. All of the very good tweeters can play some lower frequencies as well(~3500-4000hz) which virtually eliminates the need for a separate 3.5-inch midrange. By comparison, cheap tweeters will usually only play down to ~6000hz, which is why the factory puts in a midrange to help compensate.

I put a Rockford Fosgate 5.25 2-way component setup in my ti. 5.25 in the stock kick panel location, tweeter mounted up high on the door about where the inboard mirror control would be if we did not have power mirrors Just unhook the factory mid and tweet--they are junk and will wreck the sound of your new components if you leave them hooked up. You don't want to remove them and leave two gaping holes in your door panels though!

With no additional amplification, you'll be amazed at how good this simple swap sounds compared to the stock speakers.

[CMM83]

It kind of annoys me how terrible (imo) the stock 10 speaker system is. Stick to cell phones Nokia.

Thanks for the reply though, i think I will go that route.

How much of a pain is it to get the door panels off? Havn't tried yet.

Also, kind of a stupid question....Is there anything special you have to do when installing component speakers?
I've installed regular 2-way speakers and I just took out the old and hooked up the new. Is that all there is when dealing with a component system?..just moving the wires from poor nokias to good speakers.

Thanks,
Chris