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      12-30-2012, 04:36 PM   #1
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New Z4 Owner needs audio help

Hello All,
I am a new 2009 Z4 3.0i owner. My questions have to deal with upgrading the standard 6 speaker system. First, can someone please tell me what the metal rectangular device is behind the driver's seat on the enclosed picture? I thought it was an amplifier but am not sure. Second, can anyone tell me which steering wheel adapter to use once I get an aftermarket head unit? (I am putting in the Pioneer DEH-X9500BHS). I want to be able to use the full sterring wheel controls. I am also looking at replaceing the front 6.5s with Polk Audio DB6501 with the tweeters (my car did not come with tweeters) and replcing the door and rear speakers as well. Thank you for any help/advice.
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      12-30-2012, 07:42 PM   #2
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Not sure what the metal rectangle is.

This MAY work:

http://www.pac-audio.com/productDeta...&CategoryID=29

Since E89 Z4s are so low volume, I find a lot of products don't list it as supported. However the radio subsystem appears to be identical to E9x 3 series, so what fits a E90 should also fit in the Z4. At least this is what I found in installing a GROM MST3 (to add USB input) on my car, which is non-idrive and has the base audio system.

Note that by using an aftermarket radio, you will lose stuff like (if equipped) sat radio, bmw assist, bluetooth, pdc, and the gong sound.
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      12-30-2012, 07:44 PM   #3
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Actually, could the rectangle be the pass-through loading hole to the trunk?
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      12-30-2012, 10:03 PM   #4
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keep us updated on the install, very interested
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      12-31-2012, 12:01 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morfinx View Post
Actually, could the rectangle be the pass-through loading hole to the trunk?
My impression was that he was asking about the silver colored rectangular box to the left of the pass through hole.
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      12-31-2012, 12:31 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mayhem View Post
My impression was that he was asking about the silver colored rectangular box to the left of the pass through hole.
I see what you mean. In that case, I have no idea what that is, because the base 6 speaker sound system does not have an amp. The speakers are directly powered off of the head unit.
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      12-31-2012, 01:00 AM   #7
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It is the Amp:

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...34&hg=65&fg=25

But that means you must have another system than the base one.
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      12-31-2012, 01:03 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChRR1000S View Post
It is the Amp:

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...34&hg=65&fg=25

But that means you must have another system than the base one.
That says it's for Top HiFi, which is the Logic 7 system. Base stereo doesn't have an amp.
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      12-31-2012, 03:18 AM   #9
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The metal box is either (year dependent) the COMBOX or pre-combox Bluetooth/Comms unit.
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      12-31-2012, 04:46 AM   #10
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This is what I have done a few years ago, the last page shows the end result:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewto...p?f=23&t=11335
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      12-31-2012, 07:45 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morfinx View Post
That says it's for Top HiFi, which is the Logic 7 system. Base stereo doesn't have an amp.
Correct.. If you have the audio system with the separate amp, thats another silver box on the other side of the pass thru. The one in his pic is combox (or earlier less featured comms unit).
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      01-01-2013, 02:54 PM   #12
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Thanks for all the replies. Another post showed me that the metal box is the combox for the bluetooth. I don't think I will need it with the new HU. I am still concerned with which steering wheel control adapter to use but will try the PAC that zEdP used in his mod. zEdP, did you lose any functions with the aftermarket HU and adapter? Thanks again.
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