Where's my factory amp?

[nato-main-man-5am]

This apis a central place to track this build.

Plan is to upgrade from the HIFI system, without any visible evidence -- but lots of audible evidence.

I've done some upgrades before, but never stealth. I was tempted to go the commercial route, but ironically could not find a local installer who appeared familiar with the 1 series.

(space reserved to plan doc)

[nato-main-man-5am]

The first question, of course, is "Where is the factory amp?" -- hence the name of this thread.

I've got a 2012 128 with the "hifi" stereo (tweeters present in the a pillars) and I understand the amp is "in the trunk".

I started rummaging around today, picking pieces to pulL off, peer behind etc in the trunk, and really couldn't see where it is.

So then i started searching threads and...all the photos are of what people put into their cars, not the starting point... So I don't see any photos of the location of the amp...

What am I missing?

------------------------------------------

same goes for the MULF....

[Naoto]

the amp should be in the left corner of the trunk near the taillight, under a plastic panel.

[nato-main-man-5am]

Originally Posted by Naoto

the amp should be in the left corner of the trunk near the taillight, under a plastic panel.

Cool. I must have seen the plastic cover and not realized what was under it! Doh!

Just to confirm I understand what you are saying:

It's on the side of the car or the back? (I realize you say it's "in the corner" but of course corners have at least two flat planes....)

Though I guess it doesn't matter too much because the whole of the liner has to come off, either way.... but since that plastic panel wasn't obvious to me, before, I figure I should ask.

[Naoto]

if it's the same as mine, you'll see plastic cover with wires going to something under it. it's on the back side corner?

[nato-main-man-5am]

Thanks. Time to dig.

[VP Electricity]

The E82's I've seen don't have a plastic panel (the E9x's do).

But the HiFi amp is under the trunk trim forward of the LH taillight. The Top HiFi amp is aft of the LH B-pillar, outboard of the trim panel, forward of the wheel well.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by Nathan_h

Thanks. Time to dig.

The OEM amp is located in the left corner of the trunk floor, under the whole left trunk trim panel; it must be removed to access the OEM amp. There is no plastic lid/panel in the trunk of the E82 as it is in the E90.

[mrgoochio]

Can somebody post a wire diagram or some indication for the wiring in an e82 hifi to hook up a LOC for amplifier installation? i just got my PAC LOC in

[Naoto]

i thought the op already knew it was under the whole left trim panel. mine had another plastic panel under the that trim panel

[nato-main-man-5am]

Thanks all. Once I get my harness from Technic, I'll dive back in.

[nato-main-man-5am]

My 128 had a plastic panel fitted over it, under the trim.

[nato-main-man-5am]

Now to get the harness from Technic. A worthwhile 125 investment, since I'd rather not cut any of the OEM wires, and I understand his harness is plug and play for the MS-8, replacing the factory amp.

[AW128i]

If you replace the factory amp with an aftermarket one such as the MS8 pictured above, do you lose the factory integration such as speed dependent volume, the gong, etc.?

[nato-main-man-5am]

No because all that is based on the head unit, which I am not replacing.

[AW128i]

Originally Posted by Nathan_h

No because all that is based on the head unit, which I am not replacing.

Ahh, I wasn't sure if it was driven from the head unit or the amp. Thanks!

[nato-main-man-5am]

I managed to leave the OEM amp in place (the MS-8 wouldn't fit there anyway, with the clearance needed by the cables) and wire up the MS-8 with technic's awesome harness, in the space next to the battery. Here is a photo before finalizing the routing of all the cables.

This unit definitely improves the stock OEM hifi system, essentially plug and play with the technic harness, replacing the factory amp in the component chain.

I can see that I will want to upgrade the speakers at some point, but this is night and day better than the OEM amp.

[TOY1]

The technic's harness is compatible with 677 HIFI system professional?, I have the 663 radio professional in my 135i.

[nato-main-man-5am]

He actually makes a few different versions. PM him here (technics is his user name) and see.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by TOY1

The technic's harness is compatible with 677 HIFI system professional?, I have the 663 radio professional in my 135i.

The system described in this thread is the 676 HiFi. The 677 HiFi is the same as the 676 except the deletion of the rear tweeter.

[TOY1]

Thanks for your response.

[TOY1]

Hi Technic,

I am interested in the harness, you have one available?. Could you send to mexico?. I sent you a PM