[Borsig]

When I recently looked at 2009 335i's at my local dealer, they had several options for me to choose from. I was however drawn to the M-sport, which is only about 1200 bucks more than the standard sport package car. Worth it in my opinon for the better looking M-sport body kit, etc etc.

However they only had two sedans that were M-sport. Both were black (lucky for me as black is the color I wanted). One was a manual, one was AT. The manual did not even have blue tooth. Nother had Sirius or premium sound. I chose the manual car.

Looking at BMW's options and pricing list I got disgusted. These are thigs that should be standard on a 50,000 luxury sport automobile. Period. Sat radio, premium sound, bluetooth, split seats.... etc

This led me to a personal challenge. Upgrade my BMW's electronics and audio package myself, for less than any single dealer option.

The end result was a sound system that simply destroys anything BMW has to offer, by a long shot. A better sat radio interfacem that I can use in my home as well, and less for monthly sat service becaue I am a hockey fan. (Sirius doesnt carry NHL).. All for about the cost of logic 7 OR sat radio.

For a TOTAL of about $800 - inculding install materials (amp kit, cables, etc etc etc):
2x Earthquate SWS-8 - $200 new, ebay
Alpine PDX-5 - $300 new, ebay
Morel dotech ovation 4 - $150 new - E90 post member VP Electricity
Rear Speakers - stock
Head unit - Stock
XM XpressRC- $100 new - Ebay
Amp install kit, 2x loc's, misc cables and install stuff - $100

The install -
Basicall as stock. The Morels are a direct fit, and the crossovers fit easily in the doors. The SWS-8's require mild modification to the stock enclouse. There is a DIY that is helpful here on the forum.

PDX -5 went in the factory amp locaion, on top of the factory amp. This is the only part of the instalation I don't like. I had not planned on this, but I needed to leave the factory amp in and grab the outputs for the LOC's. The stock CD tray cover will not go back into place becasue of this.. If I had another inch..... I may move the amp , but it doesnt bother me THAT much.

The XM is mounted in the "ashtray" area that is no longer an ashtray on the 2009.5 cars. wires are well hidden, and I used the factory antenna in the sharkfin. All I needed here was an XM antenna extention cable.

The end result is a very nice sound system, with a dock n play XM interface, for around $850 installed.

I also hardwired my Escort 8500 X50 to the cost of $7 for the cable off of ebay.

My garmin 765t should be here today, and I will snag up a hardwire kit for that, then post pictures of the install. The 765T is widescreen, has bluetooth, spoken directions and an audio line out. I paid $219 for this unit refurbished from newegg. (minus 6% cash back acuall makes it about $203).

I will tap this ino the aux audio as well, so the spoken directions and bluetooth feature come over the car's speakers. While not as intergrated and working on aux in only, $200 beats $2500 for a nav system that sucks in comparison tothe garmin..

Will post up some pics when I get the garmin in... I havent figured out how Im going to mount it yet.. Will either go on the windshield near the escort, or on the dash via kuda.

[Technic]

I think that we went thru this before... http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292424

You do not need any LOCs with the PDX-5 if you have the non-Logic7 system ... actually, you do not need the OEM amp at all.

[Borsig]

It was the simplest thing at the time. The lci wire colors are different than what is posted here. I tried using a voltmeter to figure out what lead was what but it simply didn't work for me. I understand the using the pins to Id them but I went with locs as it was the simplest solution for me.

[omelet1978]

I know you are going to post pictures later, but do you have a picture of your xm plug and play?

I'm thinking about putting the xm commander in the ashtray location. The only holdback is that I really am going to miss my steering wheel controls...