More purchase issues

[SpinneyM]

Thought I had a deal on the car I wanted through a dealer in NJ until I realized how big of a scam they are trying to run with 6k in fees on top of the price listed everywhere on the internet. I have found another car but its missing the upgraded sound I really wanted. Does anyone know whats involved in installing the uprgraded sound after the fact? I have always done stereos in my GM trucks but I know the BMW has a much more intense electrical system. any help is appreciated thanks!

[STooK]

IMO, prem sound is not a deal breaker. I have regular speakers and they are pretty good. If it has everything else you want, then get the car....you are buying a M3 not a 750.

[Rupes]

Premium sound can be easily added on the M3 with the right pedal. Just press harder.

[Prophizee]

out of curiosity was it a Grey m3 with zcp

[rdoctor]

Originally Posted by STooK

IMO, prem sound is not a deal breaker. I have regular speakers and they are pretty good. If it has everything else you want, then get the car....you are buying a M3 not a 750.

+1

[modkrazy]

The regular system is pretty fucking terrible, unless you are deaf.

Retro-fitting is a bitch from the DIY guides I've seen. You'd be better off going aftermarket than trying to rip the whole car apart. Get it the first time around or don't worry about it all.

[JoePcone]

I guess I'm deaf. I think the base system is pretty good.

[modkrazy]

Yes, you are deaf.

[Quicksilv3r]

Originally Posted by modkrazy

The regular system is pretty fucking terrible, unless you are deaf.

Retro-fitting is a bitch from the DIY guides I've seen. You'd be better off going aftermarket than trying to rip the whole car apart. Get it the first time around or don't worry about it all.

Agreed. I once experienced a BMW w/ standard sound and vowed to never own one w/o the optional alternative. Been through 4 BMWs so far, I made sure all had the Hi-Fi system fitted. I consider it a deal-breaker if the car isn't equipped with it. If you listen to music, it's imperative.

[templarklimek]

I've got a 2013 M3 stripper and a 2014 M6 with the B/O system. The basic M3 stereo isn't all that bad. As written a good aftermarket shop can make it MUCH better than factory. If the NJ or other tax slave state is charging too much do a search on BMW website to find the exact model you want. They will ship. Good luck.

[s85e90]

LOL at all the peple complaining about the base system. who cares? Does anyone even really use the stereo?

[Beemdog]

People do use the stereo. I use it cruising down the freeway (which is boring in any kind of performance vehicle). If your exhaust is so loud you hear mostly that, then maybe not (I don't play the stereo in my Viper). However, with an MPE and stock X-pipe, the stereo is still quite listenable.

[Helmsman]

Mine came with the individual stereo (i.e.825W/16sp whatever its called in the US), bought the car 2nd hand. Surely better than the standard I had in previous 335i but no way I'd pay the 22KSEK price adder requested (frickin $3000+!).

If you don't do long drives I'd definitely prioritize general condition, color, mileage etc.

[K-M3]

Originally Posted by modkrazy

The regular system is pretty fucking terrible, unless you are deaf.

Retro-fitting is a bitch from the DIY guides I've seen. You'd be better off going aftermarket than trying to rip the whole car apart. Get it the first time around or don't worry about it all.

agree!!!!! the regular system is not just terrible by BMW standards (if there are any as such ) but it even is worse off than a lot of honda OEM systems that I have listened to. I know different people hear differently and I am no audiophile, but I have heard both in the E92M3 and I am glad I went with the premium audio option.

But I bought my car new. OP - if I was in your shoes, a sound system would not be a deal breaker for me if the car had majority of the things I want in it.....

[Sinful]

Hold up, before you even bother.... I have premium sound....frankly it sounds like crap.
I have been in econo boxes that have better stereos...
Don't bother getting the premium sound, I dont know why but when you use the surround sound it somehow kills the bass....my daughter hates it. I tried the adjustment that everyone uses and it just has too much treble and the bass just cant be dialed in...
I rented a car for a 3 day trip I had to take, and they gave me a Chevy Impala and the stereo in that kicked the M3s stereos azz...thats how lame it is.

[Beemdog]

A friend of mine played his test CD (very cleanly recorded instrumentals mostly) in my car with the Premium Sound, and with a little EQ, we found it to be pretty decent (he is an audiophile). When playing a local FM station, not so good. Your source material is one of the most important factors in the sound. All that said, the M3 premium sound is fairly mid-grade compared to some other brands premium sound but I'll leave it as is just because I've spent way too much time and money on car audio over the years.

[modkrazy]

Originally Posted by SinfulM3

Hold up, before you even bother.... I have premium sound....frankly it sounds like crap.
I have been in econo boxes that have better stereos...
Don't bother getting the premium sound, I dont know why but when you use the surround sound it somehow kills the bass....my daughter hates it. I tried the adjustment that everyone uses and it just has too much treble and the bass just cant be dialed in...
I rented a car for a 3 day trip I had to take, and they gave me a Chevy Impala and the stereo in that kicked the M3s stereos azz...thats how lame it is.

The surround sound is terrible and should just be turned off, the rest just needs calibration and it sounds quite good. Over on the F8x board, most guys are bemoaning the fact that their H&K system is inferior to the Premium Sound of the E9x, although I suspect that is up to the calibration, too. `

[STooK]

A M3 not having PS is a deal breaker? Seriously?

I'm definitely not an audiophile or w/e you call it but exactly how is the standard speakers so horrible? I guess after owning an s2000, anything sounds pretty good. I remember I couldn't hear a thing when I had the top down in the s2k. In my m3, even with top and windows down I can hear pretty well even from the standard speakers. But if you found the perfect M3 and you will pass on it because it doesn't have upgraded sound maybe the M3 is not for you.

[dreamspeed]

Just look in to bav sound aftermarket upgrades. They are direct fits and easy to install

[mvrwdakingtm]

You'd be better off going aftermarket than trying to rip the whole car apart.

[mjposner]

My M3 is a dd and I listen to music every day and if you do too, the enhanced sound is worth the premium ($1,900 not $3,000 as stated above). It is far better than the HK system I had in my 2014 M235i. I drive with the windows down 6 months of the year and with the HK system I had to peg the volume to hear the music over the wind. In the M3 with EA, not an issue. Surround Sound is a personal choice. If you need more bass, either upgrade the stock units (earthquakes, or bav audios soon to be replaced upgrade) or add a sub in the trunk. Don't let the engine soundtrack snobs make you fel bad about wanting EA, its your car to drive not theirs.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by mjposner

My M3 is a dd and I listen to music every day and if you do too, the enhanced sound is worth the premium ($1,900 not $3,000 as stated above). It is far better than the HK system I had in my 2014 M235i. I drive with the windows down 6 months of the year and with the HK system I had to peg the volume to hear the music over the wind. In the M3 with EA, not an issue. Surround Sound is a personal choice. If you need more bass, either upgrade the stock units (earthquakes, or bav audios soon to be replaced upgrade) or add a sub in the trunk. Don't let the engine soundtrack snobs make you fel bad about wanting EA, its your car to drive not theirs.

You're luck with US pricing mate... Over here the actual car is like $95K and easily $125 with a good set of options added...

Still cheap compared to our Nordic neighbors where you need to add another 50%...!