Bavarian Soundwerks BMW E46 User manual

BMW E46 Subwoofer System by BSW Installation Guide:
d110.e46c for BMW 3 Series, M3 Coupe ’00-’06 (E46)
Tools Required:
•Panel Removal Tool
•Flat Head screwdriver
•Metric Socket Set
•Crimping Tool
•Drill
•Brain
We’re going to proceed as follows:
1. Disassembling the trunk
2. Power/ground wire connections
3. Making appropriate wiring connections for audio inputs
4. Installing the subwoofer enclosure
5. Tuning/testing the system
Disassembling the Trunk Panels:
All of our connections take place in the trunk. We need to remove the drivers side carpeted panel in order to
gain access to the factory amplifier, where we will tap into the factory audio system.
1. Begin by removing all items from the trunk of the vehicle. Make sure that all tail lights are in working
order. If not, now is a good time to replace them. Also remove the carpet that covers the floor of the
trunk, as it will reveal several fasteners that will need removing.
2. Start by removing the taillight covers. Push inward on the clip, and the light will release itself. Now
depress the wiring clip attached to the light bulb housing to release the housing, and move the
housing safely away from your working space
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Any reproduction, distribution, modification, or dissemination of these instructions without written permission from Bavarian Soundwerks is
expressly forbidden and a violation of international copyright law. Any violation will result in prosecution to the full extent available under the
law!
© Bavarian Soundwerks, LLC.
2195 Defoor Hills Rd., Suite D, Atlanta, GA 30318
P: 404.963.8857 | www.bavsound.com

3. Now, look to the floor of the trunk. You will see that the two plastic casings on either side of the
trunk are secured by plastic screws on the passenger side and fasteners on the drivers’ side.
Remove the fasteners using you panel removal tool as shown. The plastic screws on the
passenger side can be removed using a flat head screwdriver and turning them 90 degrees in
either direction. The battery is located underneath this panel on the passenger side of the
vehicle.
4. Remove these panels and place them to the side. Be sure and keep the fasteners together with
their respective panels.
5. Now, look to the driver’s side of the trunk and identify the two black fasteners shown in the photo
below. We need to remove these in the same manner as shown above in the photo on the left.
Once removed, the panel can be removed and the factory amplifier will be revealed, as shown in
the photo on the right. There is also one more fastener on the front edge (closest to the cabin)
slightly behind the side bolster. You’ll see where the panel is being held in when you attempt to
remove the carpeted panel. Remove this as well, and place it with the other fasteners.
Power/Ground Connections for the new Amplifier:
IMPORTANT: Before you make any connections, disconnect the negative battery terminal from the
battery. This will reduce the chance of electrical damage to the vehicle.
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Any reproduction, distribution, modification, or dissemination of these instructions without written permission from Bavarian Soundwerks is
expressly forbidden and a violation of international copyright law. Any violation will result in prosecution to the full extent available under the
law!
© Bavarian Soundwerks, LLC.
2195 Defoor Hills Rd., Suite D, Atlanta, GA 30318
P: 404.963.8857 | www.bavsound.com

-Now that the vehicle is sufficiently disassembled, we can begin making our connections with the included
amplifier wiring harness. We’re going to start with the power, ground, and remote turn on connections, and
then move on to the Line Output Converter connections (RCA Cable connections)
Power Wire (Large Gauge Red Wire): Route the large red wire to the positive terminal of the
battery. Loosen and remove the 10mm nut on top of the terminal that secures the actual terminal to the
battery. Put the amplifier power wire ring over the bolt, and tighten the nut back down with the terminal on
the battery. This is the primary power supply for your new amplifier. Connect the other side of the power wire
to the +12V terminal on the amplifier. ONLY when both sides of the wire are connected should you install the
included fuse into the in-line.
Ground Wire (Large Gauge Black Wire):
We recommend using the factory grounding point shown below, on the outer wall on the driver’s side of the
vehicle.
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Any reproduction, distribution, modification, or dissemination of these instructions without written permission from Bavarian Soundwerks is
expressly forbidden and a violation of international copyright law. Any violation will result in prosecution to the full extent available under the
law!
© Bavarian Soundwerks, LLC.
2195 Defoor Hills Rd., Suite D, Atlanta, GA 30318
P: 404.963.8857 | www.bavsound.com

Audio Input and Remote Turn-On Connections
Audio Input Connections (Getting the music to the new amplifier)
This part of the installation is the most time consuming. Use the supplied blue butt connectors to make the
connections. Make the connections at least 6” away from the factory amplifier plugs.
1. Carefully observe the factory amplifier. You will see a large bundle of wires going into the amplifier.
The harness contains several wires, but don’t be overwhelmed. We will be using only four of them,
and they are easy to locate. The wires will be twisted together, and each twisted pair represents a
speaker or input.
2. You’ll need to isolate the following four (4) wires. They will be twisted together in pairs, as they
enter the factory amplifier.
-Blue w/Black Stripe (+) twisted with Brown w/Orange Stripe(-)
-Yellow w/Black Stripe (+) twisted with Brown w/Orange Stripe (-)
3. Now, orient yourself with the BSW amplifier harness. It contains the following four wires, along with
the blue remote turn on wire.
Grey (+) White (+)
Grey/Black (-) White/Black(-)
We are essentially “T’ing” into the wires.
Tapping into the factory wires using the blue butt connectors, the connections will essentially be as
follows:
Wire Color at Harness Wire Color at Factory Amplifier
Grey (+)
Blue w/Black Stripe
Grey/Black (-)
Brown w/Orange Stripe
White (+)
Yellow w/Black Stripe
White/Black (-)
Brown w/Orange Stripe
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Any reproduction, distribution, modification, or dissemination of these instructions without written permission from Bavarian Soundwerks is
expressly forbidden and a violation of international copyright law. Any violation will result in prosecution to the full extent available under the
law!
© Bavarian Soundwerks, LLC.
2195 Defoor Hills Rd., Suite D, Atlanta, GA 30318
P: 404.963.8857 | www.bavsound.com

Here’s how you’ll tap into the factory wires:
Here’s what the completed connections will look like:
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Any reproduction, distribution, modification, or dissemination of these instructions without written permission from Bavarian Soundwerks is
expressly forbidden and a violation of international copyright law. Any violation will result in prosecution to the full extent available under the
law!
© Bavarian Soundwerks, LLC.
2195 Defoor Hills Rd., Suite D, Atlanta, GA 30318
P: 404.963.8857 | www.bavsound.com