MY 1997 M3 SEDAN STEREO INSTALL CONTINUES...
After all measurements were complete and placement of all the components was decided I removed everything from the trunk and began to attack the M3's massive vibration issues caused by the cars awesome structural design.
Dynamat was heated and rolled along all walls, floor and roof of the trunk.
Then Two cans of Quiet Kote dampening spray were applied over a day to further seal both the subwoofer enclosure and the trunk hoping to supress as much of the vibration previously heard from my prior system installs.
Another shot of the subwoofer enclosure viewed through the rear seats center arm rest/ski pass.
This is the a newest picture from the inside of the car looking at the subwoofer enclosure through the ski port with the arm rest down once I was able to get everything completed and finally put the finishing touches on everything and cleaned it all up.
Stealth appearance maintains the stock image and hides any trace that a killer system is lurking behind the rear seat.
Now to the trunk. This is the most recent update to the trunk area.
Originaly I left the trunk area recarpeted.
Since then I have completly removed the spare tire, lined the tire well with Dynamat and Quiet Kote Dampening Spray.
As you can see from the pictures I then counter-sunk a Rockford Fosgate 500a2 and a 600a4 flush with the top of the newly cut false floor.
I used 1/2 inch MDF for the floor and then covered it in matching black carpet.
The amps are fastened with stainless steel hex bolts.
The Battey was upgraded to an Optima Gel Cell which is mounted in the stock compartment with slight modication to secure it and allow it to lay below the new floor which covers the entire trunk area wall to wall.
More upgrades and pictures coming soon!
Back inside the car I have finally tackled the biggest problem I think this car had as a new car and what has become a monkey on my back for years now.
When looking at the dash of the M3 I have always liked the the stock appearance, and have fought with myself through all the stereo installs to keep the stock piece of shit OEM Alpine manufactured headunit all M3 owners unwillingly got overcharged for.
I kept it for two other reasons, first it had the weather band which i used less than 5 times probably but thought it was a cool function, and secondly it had controls for the factory matching CD Changer.
Well I have broken down and finally removed that piece of crap.
My newest addition is an Alpine CDA-9830 MP3 CD Receiver with XM satellite radio.
So now, I can actually receive and keep a radio station tuned in clearly and play MP3 disc's.
Next I added the matching Alpine 6 Disc CD Changer and the Alpine Ipod Interface.
The Alpine Ipod Interface Model KCA-420i has been installed behind the Glove Compartment and the wiring runs through the center console all the way to the cup holder are which I am in the process of making a custom housing to allow the Ipod to lay flat or flush with the top of the center consoles molded ABS ashtray and coin holder.
