Help needed....HK system???

Schnitzer · Post by **Schnitzer** » Sun 12 Oct, 2008 10:34

Just about to fit my new headunit in but i dont know which plug i need to buy to connect the system. How do i know if it is a standard speaker setup or the HK setup??? Its got more speakers than the standard system however im not sure if it is the HK system. How can i tell?

aj2007 · Post by **aj2007** » Sun 12 Oct, 2008 10:52

If you have the HK setup you will have a HK amp in the boot under the hump, it sits on the top of the CD changer bracket which will already be in place under the hump even if you didn't have a CD changer.

Easiest way save ripping the boot to bits is to look at the wiring at the back of the old head unit as I assume you already removed this?

The colours are different from radio to HK amp.

If you have a Subwoofer between the seats then you deff have the HK system

Ade

Schnitzer · Post by **Schnitzer** » Sun 12 Oct, 2008 14:02

i do have the sub between the seats but i cant see the amp. Is the CD changer under the amp then

aj2007 · Post by **aj2007** » Sun 12 Oct, 2008 15:07

Yes the CD player is under the amp, the amp is hidden by the boot trim. I will see if I can dig out a picture 4 you, just out polishing the zed at the min

I'm not sure how easy it's gonna be to wire a non BMW head unit to the HK system without a wiring modification though? Anyone?

Schematic shown here parts 17 & 26:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=65&fg=20

Looks like there is a Sub amp too mounted on the right hand side of the boot must be hidden

Ade

aj2007 · Post by **aj2007** » Sun 12 Oct, 2008 15:35

Found this too, any help?

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh ... p=12415641

Schnitzer · Post by **Schnitzer** » Tue 21 Oct, 2008 15:38

found the HK amp on top of the CD changer so guessing ive got the HK system. Now ive just gotta find the correct adapter for my alpine headunit

ChrisXL · Post by **ChrisXL** » Tue 21 Oct, 2008 15:43

aj2007 wrote:.............

If you have a Subwoofer between the seats then you deff have the HK system

Ade

Not neccessarily so, you could have the Nokia crap as a sub........ being part of the more "expensive" stereo set ups sold. If you have a HK, you will have little HK badges stuck on the speakers and sub.

Schnitzer · Post by **Schnitzer** » Tue 21 Oct, 2008 15:48

hmmm........i havent seen any Z3M's with HK badges on the speakers. You got any pics to show what you mean. I thought as long as you had the harmon Kardon amp in the boot you had the HK system.

John Boy · Post by **John Boy** » Tue 21 Oct, 2008 18:47

I have the HK system and not a badge in sight. If you remove the grille for the subwoofer between the seats you should see a shaped tube which heads up towards the top of the cetre console. If you have that it must be a HK as I doubt any aftermarket ones have such a contraption!
If you're still curious the top of the centre console can be prized off and a few screws will remove the sub itself and you can look for a badge there...

aj2007 · Post by **aj2007** » Tue 21 Oct, 2008 19:09

There are no badges on the speakers on an S50 MZR either though I believe a badge was added to the S54 HK Subwoofer Grille. I am sure someone will comment on this. If you have found the HK amp then it's the HK system. Your main dealer can confirm from the VIN all options fitted to your vehicle

Here are some pics from a 2001 MZR with HK fitted:

whiteminks · Post by **whiteminks** » Tue 21 Oct, 2008 19:22

Yes I have a HK logo on my subwoofer thingy between the seats of my S54 Z3M.

aj2007 · Post by **aj2007** » Tue 21 Oct, 2008 19:25

Yahoo the theory worked, thanks

komis · Post by **komis** » Tue 21 Oct, 2008 20:32

Interesting - my old '96 1.9 had a subwoofer without a badge on the grille. I eventually found out this was an optional part for the plain speaker setup and it was made by NOKIA (really!), when i took it apart for fun

My facelift 2.8 ('00) has the HK setup and that's quite clearly badged. Having said that the only badge is on the subwoofer, not the mids or the tweeters.

I don't know if the HK setups were available post-8/99 (facelift) only. Just checked realoem.com and it looks like only the facelift (and post-99 Ms, regardless of engine type) should have it as a factory options.

Any corrections welcome!

John Boy · Post by **John Boy** » Tue 21 Oct, 2008 20:44

Schnitzer wrote:found the HK amp on top of the CD changer so guessing ive got the HK system. Now ive just gotta find the correct adapter for my alpine headunit

caraudio list two adaptors
I have an Alpine 9855R HU fitted to my car and I believe I have the cheaper of the two and it work perfectly.
See here:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_boy/2961809227/" title="IMG_2060 by John Burn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3018/296 ... e693_o.jpg" width="600" height="400" alt="IMG_2060" /></a>

Schnitzer · Post by **Schnitzer** » Tue 21 Oct, 2008 22:15

well mine is a 1998 M Roadster....surely if the amp says harmon kardon then thats what ive got. I didnt even know nokia did a amp for cars

Schnitzer · Post by **Schnitzer** » Wed 22 Oct, 2008 13:42

just phoned BMW who confirmed ive got the HK system....thanks for all the help guys. Time to get my alpine headunit fitted and find a nice spot for my ipod.

aj2007 · Post by **aj2007** » Wed 22 Oct, 2008 13:47

Good luck and keep us posted

ChrisXL · Post by **ChrisXL** » Wed 22 Oct, 2008 15:53

Schnitzer wrote: I didnt even know nokia did a amp for cars

They did subs........

Anyway here some interesting reading: http://www.mz3.net/stereo.html

Schnitzer · Post by **Schnitzer** » Sun 26 Oct, 2008 11:29

Finally got round to fitting the new headunit yesterday......it was a right laugh!!! Took three of us to get all the wires in the right place as i had to fit my alpine ipod brain as well. Found a nice little place behind the glovebox for it and wired the car up as though it was a factory fit. Very pleased just gotta change all the settings now to suit the car!!!!

oh yeah.....cheers for all the help and advice guys