[Bouncer]

2009 Pre-LCI e93 335i

So I have the HIFI sound option (676) and my amp got wet (I believe) during some recent heavy rains, and is likely toast. I've pulled the fuse, because I was getting constant crackle/static from the speakers regardless of whether or not the radio was on, and it also affected door chimes etc. This crackle/static would (I swear) apparently shift left or right a bit as I turned the car. I've yet to check as I need to wait for a clear day as getting to the amp in an e93 is not trivial, I don't feel any obvious wetness in the trunk area, or around the seals but nonetheless, something happened.

So, I may have to get a new amp. My question is, what's a good replacement for the HiFi OEM one? I'm not interested in some massive conversion of the entire sound system. I just want to replace the amp, hopefully with a plug-and-play solution. Should I stay OEM or is there some specific recommended amps out there that will work well with my current head unit and speakers.

Thanks for any thoughts or experiences you can share.

[Seeris]

Getting to the amp isn't a complete nightmare but like everything else on these cars is a pain. Make sure to open your convertible top half way to make it easier. It's typically pretty clear if the amp has water damage.

I'm more knowledgeable about the Logic 7s but for the HI-FI I'm pretty sure you'll still need a harness to adapt if you go aftermarket. I'd recommend staying oem if you want the easiest fix.

[eastsidaz]

Otherwise the Match UP 7BMW or 8BMW amp is pnp if you have the funds. Top tier stuff.

[ctuna]

Nothing OEM for and upgrade that doesn't require a complete gutting of the wiring. BMW stereo's became
crap when the e90 came out . Going to logic 7 is a big pain with not much gain.
Yes the door chimes come through the amp.
You will have to dumpster dive to find a 6 channel amp that accepts differential Inputs.
Jl 600/6 was the old solution and it's not a cheap amp .
Go with what is suggested below if you can.
The speakers will need and upgrade to if you want to properly handle aftermarket power.

BMW stereo types
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865
http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/
http://technicpnp.com/menuDiagrams/d...e90_92_93.html
http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...3&d=1169133185
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673
https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/e...n-752.1275694/

base system wiring pre/post 3/09
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...tDpLJPcGkw_ui_
Base System Guide
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...5&d=1493273253

[Bouncer]

Thanks to all, and ctuna, that is a lot of reading for my homework assignment. I'll do it though, I promise.

It does seem a PITA to upgrade since I'm not trying to blow my neighbors windows in. Oddly, realoem.com has about half a dozen newer amps they say are oem depending on the model year of the car (2009).

Here's the list:
65129145162 Amplifier hifi system

From:12/01/2006To:10/28/2010

Superseded by:
65129233965 (09/01/2010 — 04/27/2011), Exchangeable retrospect. in connect.
65129246187 (03/01/2011 — 10/07/2011), Exchangeable retrospectively
65129253191 (09/01/2011 — 06/13/2013), Exchangeable retrospectively
65129267647 (03/01/2012 — 06/13/2013), Exchangeable retrospectively
65129283504 (07/01/2012 — 02/11/2014), Exchangeable retrospectively
65129312445 (07/01/2013 — 09/05/2014), Exchangeable retrospectively
65129333110 (07/01/2014 — 07/11/2018), Exchangeable retrospectively
65122622679 (11/01/2017 — ), Exchangeable retrospectively

So now I'm wondering if I can go to a newer OEM unit as plug and play (I know if has to be analog, not digital) vs trying to track down a JL unit (plus adapter cables) or doing some multi-thousand dollar sound system upgrade.
Anyone know if this is possible, or should I just stick to a 2006-2010 year HiFi Amp?

Thank you all again for sharing knowledge.

[ctuna]

The Hi Fi amp is analog most of those variation's are small Engineering changes that don't effect the functions . There were to basic flavors the black ones that came from 09 and before and Silver that came after.
These are Analog Amps that only have Analog Input and Output.
Ebay generally has these for sale for under 100 bucks.

All the Hi Fi amps are Analog New or Old they don't change the design that much.

[Bouncer]

So after months of looking (yeah, I'm like that) I'm leaning toward the Match UP 7BMW or Match UP 8BMW.

I just don't see the point of spending 900 for a new BMW Hi-Fi Lear AMP when I can basically buy a better replacement for the same price. I could ebay an AMP I suppose, but meh, why risk it.

Will there be any problem running this AMP with the stock speakers? I might upgrade those later, but I'm not trying to get crazy with costs.

Thanks.

[ptpending]

you can get similar used replacement amp for 100 on ebay or local junkyard
if you go via MATCH 6 channel upgrade you'll significant better experience
there are also match and helix unit used sold on all bimmerpost forums

[ctuna]

You can get the Hi Fi amps on ebay for around a 100 bucks sometime less.
Since you are pre lci I would just try to get one of the black ones.
The changes on these amps are small just get pre lci (black amp )

I would buy a whole Match system if you can they also have all the adapters to make it plug and play.

The underseats will be the ones you need to upgrade most .

They have pre canned tunes for the DSP on the match systems to use as starting point.

There are ytubes that do through the install .

[Bouncer]

Hopefully last question, and again thanks for all the advice received.

I'm now looking at used HiFi amps on ebay (and it's all ya'lls fault! ). So my question:

Is the e93 HiFi AMP specific to only e93s?

What I mean is, I'm looking at a HiFi AMP from an e92, which appears to be identical to the one from an e93, but has a 1 number parts number difference.

Is that incremental number difference simply internal BMW parts tracking, or is there an actual wiring/compatibility issue given they are both HiFi from the appropriate year?

The ebay ad is from a reputable used parts dealer and says it's e93 compatible, but realoem.com doesn't list that specific number.

Thanks.

[ctuna]

They use the same three stereo systems across multiple models for the most part . You will see the same option numbers 676 across a lot of models for Hi Fi.
Virtually no difference in a e90 , e91 , e92 , e93 they might have a different speaker positions.
Also the same thing used in 5 series and the x series for those years 2006 to 2010 . The ones from that period are
the black amp . after 2011 they are Silver.

A lot of times those numbers mean nothing to the end user they are just small engineering changes.

[Bouncer]

Fantastic, thanks!

It didn't make a lot of sense to me that BMW would make a specific amp for a specific car. I appreciate the info, it'll make sourcing a comp[atible amp much simpler than trying to track down the e93 specific part number for the same Lear HiFi amp as is on an e92.

I get why they do the numbering this way for internal use, but I do wish they thought to put a non-vehicle specific part number on it as well somewhere so we could better understand what you can and cannot drop in replace with.

Ahh well.. off to ebay.

Thanks again.

[Bouncer]

So small update:

Got the AMP off of ebay an the install was plug and play, so all good there...

BUUUUUUUT...

Now on some songs at about half volume or more I'm hearing some distortion across specific instruments, like certain frequency bands. If I change the song though, it might dissapear completely. If I let the song play, it gets more crackly over time and seems to spread to other frequencies until the song ends. Next song, might be completely distortion free.

Did I get a bad AMP? Do I need to look at speaker replacements? I don't normally blast anything at top volume, but I'm wondering if the water damaged AMP I had to replace somehow damaged the speakers.

I do notice that there is no crackling etc on the system gongs.

Follow on question. If it IS the speaker(s), can I replace with the Top HiFi/HK ones as opposed to the stands 676 HiFi ones? My goal is drop in replacements if possible. I don't know if everything has to be matched, or if I can buy better speakers but use the current replacement AMP, or if I'm tossing this ebay AMP and just getting a MatchUp7 to be done with this.

Thanks again for sharing your experience and info.

[ctuna]

The Match amp should have more than enough power to drive
Logic 7 speakers but I would get the match speakers if you can.


https://www.e90post.com/forums/attac...3&d=1329017429

You may find parts of the above useful .
Match makes a plug and play harness for the amp .

Entry 4 from this link for hi fi idea's

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323
10 years ago the DSP/amp choices where much more limited.

[Bouncer]

Thanks again for all the advice Mr. Tuna. It is appreciated. I'm now hunting for a 7UPBMW or 8UPBMW (seems like the 8UP is easier to find). After that I'll probably try to buy the match speaker set for an e93.

Thanks for helping to keep this forum one of the very best resources for e90's.