Help needed for my I.C.E.

Viper Warrior

Well-Known Member
Hi ICE gurus out there,

Got problem with my car sound systems, the left speakers (both front and back) suddenly got no sound intermittently:( . My ride is a E39 with basic systems. Can anyone recommend a good workshop for trouble shooting and maybe looking at some upgrades. Thanks in advance:)
 
Re: Help needed for my I.C.E.

Yup, the same has been happening to my ride recently. Have you got a solution yet? Most people I've taken the car to suspect it's the head unit. Cheers, Jetman
 
Re: Help needed for my I.C.E.

Same problem to my E39, no sound intermittently switching between left and right .... I changed the head unit plus changing all new wiring, after that all problems solved! It was found that the wirings have been oxidised (too old liao) that causes the intermittent connection. So, by just changing the head unit may not solve the problem unless you are very sure that all the wiring on your system are those good quality ones (like the "Monster" cables).
 
Re: Help needed for my I.C.E.

Thanks for your reply. Am wondering now if I should just go for new wiring as the head unit may in fact be okay. Am so close to throwing the whole thing away and replacing with a Pioneer!!
 
Re: Help needed for my I.C.E.

If you intent to keep your ride for another few years, I recommend you change the Head Unit as well because you will get a much better sound quality with the new Head unit as compared to the standard Head units.
 
Re: Help needed for my I.C.E.

Sorry to trouble you Viper warrior but do you mean the original head unit from BMW has been improved. If that is the case, I'll have it done immediately but I wasn't sure if I should go for an outside brand the likes of Pioneer or Sony. PML is quoting me 870 for the spare not inclusive of labour. Did you change yours and the wires at PML?

Thanks, Jetman
 
Re: Help needed for my I.C.E.

No problems, I'm happy to share with you my experience. I changed the BMW original head unit to a new Alpine head unit set plus all new wiring (Monster cables). This is a very basic upgrade and my expectation for sound system is not demanding, yet can still hear the great difference in the sound improvements! Damage was about $1300 (includes GST and labour). If you ask me is this considered expensive, well, don't know but happy with this improvements:)
 
Re: Help needed for my I.C.E.

Thanks, I'll go check it out. I guess with the upgrade, the data from the onboard computer will no longer be available. Cheers, Jetman
 
Re: Help needed for my I.C.E.

i would suggest tht cables are not so important...unless u are going for competition.
 
Re: Help needed for my I.C.E.

Agree that cables are not so important but at least must have a minimum requirements of those that will not oxidised easily..... my personal experience ......
 
Re: Help needed for my I.C.E.

Took the plunge and changed the headset and a pair of front door speakers. Added a sub and the change is astounding. The new panel which replaced the original headset looks decent enough but the best part of course is the sound....unbelievable change for just over 1000 bucks! Thanks Viper warrior!
 
Re: Help needed for my I.C.E.

hi Jetman, did u get the aftermarket headunit? or another bmw orig headunit? are u still having ur steering controls intact? cos me a little itchy on the sound mod recently, and still not decided, so now checking out as much as possible...
 
Re: Help needed for my I.C.E.

the thing is.... the stock ICE in bmws is so bad that any upgrade would sound like a million dollars haha... Bro, why pursue the last 5% or 10% ... is the incremental worth the money ?
 
Re: Help needed for my I.C.E.

Aftermarket...a simple Alpine costing @600, that's all! The good part was that the plastic adapter to house the head unit looked quite acceptable and the set fit well. Additionally, kept the wood trim in stowed position on top so it looks better and not so stark. Changed the door mid range speakers to lanzar for @ 140 a pair and the sound's really great. The e39 can accept a sub, sunken in the rear board so minimal disruption to the boot but you need to add an amp. Had an Alpine amp already so that's driving the front speakers plus the sub and the head unit's driving the rear speakers (door tweeters and board midranges). Done at Tye electronics - good job done. Cheers, Jetman

ps - only drawback is that the steering audio and trip computer controls don't work now but who cares? - sounds decent for a change.
 
Re: Help needed for my I.C.E.

Tye! Albert still there? He was one of the GrandTuner class i think... plus if u've his bro doing up the rest, u're guaranteed good value for money... anyway, glad u enjoying ur sound now. fyi, some alpine head units do hv interface for bm steering control. you may wana check up: Support - Alpine - Europe
 
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