So.
Think pimp my ride, strip everything out and try not to break the clips that hold the kick panel bits on the carpet by the door ( how f***in strong are they btw??
)
Remove the ski hatch if you so desire, and I do have a hint here, DO NOT put your head in the boot and hit it repeatedly with a hammer, the noise will cause your ears to ring two days later... You have been warned..
Bit of trial fitting to see if it will work
Get stuck right into that wiring, strip all the old cack out.... oh, and very importantly, label all the wires with masking tape and a pencil (or pen, I don't mind)
When re-wiring, try and be neat, it'll make you feel better...
If you are going into the door, take your time, it's an arse of a job and you don't want to do it twice...
At this point, take a break, have a cherry flavoured soft drink and wonder why you started...
I find that for testing the wiring choccy block is great, but try to solder the permanent joints (it probably doesn't matter actually) I put in new coax's under the retro covers purely for the rare rear passenger listening to audio books on long journeys...
Take time to celebrate the small victories
When it gets dark, go and work on your girlfriends floor, see if you can get her to rustle up a cold beer and a couple of enchiladas. It helps.
From here on in, I got bored of taking photos, not many to go...
Here's why you bother...
And the finished * product in place...
It'a a Blaupunkt digital headunit running DAB through an adapted BMW electric aerial and a 60gb ipod in the glovebox. The headunit internal amp drives the rear co-ax's when needed. Alpine amp bridged to a 10" JL sub in a sealed enclosure through rear seat foam. Front components are Kenwood in adapted tweeter pods and customised audiosport door pods, the crossovers are where the old speakers were.
Cheers, James
* I say 'finished'..... Actually, the doors are coming back out, I mounted the pods about 5mm too low and I need to seal a couple of vent holes... AND I'm going to put a false boot back to hide all the wires. But when you're making this many changes, it's all a bit trial and error
)
