New Z4 Owner needs audio help - New 2009 2010 BMW Z4

Z4 Roadster · 12-30-2012, 05:36 PM

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.

morfinx · 12-30-2012, 08:42 PM

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.

morfinx · 12-30-2012, 08:44 PM

Actually, could the rectangle be the pass-through loading hole to the trunk?

kneedeep · 12-30-2012, 11:03 PM

keep us updated on the install, very interested

Mayhem · 12-31-2012, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morfinx

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.

morfinx · 12-31-2012, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayhem

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.

ChRR1000S · 12-31-2012, 02:00 AM

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.

morfinx · 12-31-2012, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChRR1000S

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.

ManiacGT · 12-31-2012, 04:18 AM

The metal box is either (year dependent) the COMBOX or pre-combox Bluetooth/Comms unit.

zEdP · 12-31-2012, 05:46 AM

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

ManiacGT · 12-31-2012, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morfinx

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).

Z4 Roadster · 01-01-2013, 03:54 PM

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.

12-30-2012, 05:36 PM	#1
Z4 Roadster Registered Drives: Merlot 2005 Z4 3.0 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 3 iTrader: (0)	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. Attached Images
	Tweet

12-30-2012, 08:42 PM	#2
morfinx Shenanigans Drives: E89 Z4 sDrive35i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,097 iTrader: (0)	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. __________________ E89 Z4 sDrive35i 7DCT "Zayna", Alpine White/Coral Red E92 335i 6MT "Calixta", Space Grey/Coral Red [Retired]

12-30-2012, 08:44 PM	#3
morfinx Shenanigans Drives: E89 Z4 sDrive35i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,097 iTrader: (0)	Actually, could the rectangle be the pass-through loading hole to the trunk? __________________ E89 Z4 sDrive35i 7DCT "Zayna", Alpine White/Coral Red E92 335i 6MT "Calixta", Space Grey/Coral Red [Retired]

12-31-2012, 04:18 AM	#9
ManiacGT Captain Drives: Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 814 iTrader: (0)	The metal box is either (year dependent) the COMBOX or pre-combox Bluetooth/Comms unit. __________________ BMW Z4 E89 sDrive35i Mods: Stubby! LED Halos! DVDInMotion! GolfT! SmartTop! BMW Performance 313 Alloys! http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=265084

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12-30-2012, 11:03 PM	#4
kneedeep New Member Drives: m coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: nc Posts: 16 iTrader: (0)	keep us updated on the install, very interested

12-31-2012, 02:00 AM	#7
ChRR1000S Private First Class Drives: Z4 E89 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Home Posts: 130 iTrader: (0)	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.

12-31-2012, 05:46 AM	#10
zEdP Ed Drives: Z4 sDrive30i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Netherlands Posts: 282 iTrader: (0)	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

01-01-2013, 03:54 PM	#12
Z4 Roadster Registered Drives: Merlot 2005 Z4 3.0 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 3 iTrader: (0)	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.