I wrote about the BMW E36 Harmon Kardon Audio System and it seems there is a lot of confusion about the number and locations of the speakers in that system. Today, I found a photo that will show the exact locations of the 10-speakers in that audio system. Take a look:

Also, pay attention to the location of the amplifier in the trunk.

After I saw this picture, I think there are two speakers in the footwell of the BMW E36, but I’m not sure if they’re working in my car or not. I know that my BMW E30 used to have 2 speakers in the footwell (left and right) and 2 speakers in the back. In the BMW E36, I just thought that the speakers inside the doors are just a replacement for the front speakers in the BMW E30. I should’ve checked these speakers in the footwell to verify their existence when I saw them, but it’s never too late. I’ve checked them today and they’re working fine. It’s cool to discover that there are actually 6 speakers inside the non HK systems.

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I found these auto folding mirrors on eBay:

They are actually made for the BMW E46 M3 cars, not the BMW E36 ones, but I think the styling of these mirrors will fit in a BMW E36 and especially BMW E36 M3’s. The rounded housing looks nice (it can be better though). These mirrors also come with heated & blue coated lenses. So, I think they will be a nice addition to a BMW E36 car. But I’m not 100% sure if they will fit in your cars exactly because I didn’t try them. I’m also not sure if these mirrors have the reverse feature of the auto-folding mirrors. But on anyway, I think that having such mirrors that will fold when you turn your engine off will be a cool touch, don’t you think?

I’m not sure if you’re going to like them, but I have a feeling that they will look great. What do you guys think?

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate BMW E36 M3 information source.

Hi,

I read many posts about people asking about special symbols and warning lamps that turn on in their BMW E36 cars and they don’t actually know what they mean. While some warning lamps are self explanatory, some of them are mysteriously weird and I honestly don’t know how the car designers chose them.

Today, I’ve prepared a legend of all (well, I’m not sure if I’m missed something or not) the symbols that you may see in the dashboard of your BMW E36. Below you will find the symbol (indictor) lamp a long with possible reason why it’s turned on.

BTW, I took these from the BMW E36 owners manual, you can refer to that post and download the whole manual if you like.

	Turn signal left/right, green Flashes when the turn signals are in operation.
	Battery charge current, red Goes out after the engine has started. If the lamp comes on during normal vehicle operation: The battery is no longer being charged. Indicates a defect in the generator drive-belt or the charging circuit. Tony: Maybe the alternator has a problem too.
	High beam, blue Lights up when the high beams are switched on or the headlamp flashers are activated.
	Engine oil pressure, red Goes out after the engine has started. May come on briefly at idle when the engine is hot, but must go out again at higher engine speed. If the lamp comes on during normal vehicle operation: stop vehicle and switch off engine immediately. Check engine oil level; if necessary, add oil. If oil level is correct: contact your BMW Retailer. Tony: Maybe your car is leaking oil, check for that too
	Foglamps, green Lights up whenever you switch on the foglamps.
	Airbags, red This lamp turns on for an operational check when you turn the ignition key to position 1. If, at the operation check, it does not go on, or goes on while driving, have it checked at your BMW Retailer.
	Automatic transmission, yellow Goes out after the engine has started.
	ASC+T (Automatic Stability Control plus Traction), yellow Goes out shortly after the ignition is switched on: System OK.
	ABS (Antilock Brake System), yellow Goes out after the engine has started. If the lamp comes on during normal vehicle operation: ABS has been deactivated in response to a system malfunction. Conventional braking force remains unimpaired.
	Brake pad wear, yellow Lights up when starter is actuated and goes out when the engine is started. If the lamp comes on during normal vehicle operation: replace brake pads immediately.
	Brake hydraulics, red Goes out after the engine has started. If the lamp comes on during normal vehicle operation: low brake fluid.
	Parking brake, red Goes out after the engine has started. Comes on when you engage the parking brake.
	Emissions-related systems Lamp goes out once engine starts. If this indicator lamp lights up during normal vehicle operation, either continuously or intermittently, this indicates a fault in one of the emissions related electronic circuits. Although the vehicle remains operational, you should have the systems checked by a BMW Retailer at the earliest possible opportunity. Tony: This indicates that you’re having a problem and you should check it as soon as possible
	Please fasten safety belts, red (With acoustic signal if the driver’s belt is not buckled). Lights up briefly when the ignition key is turned, and then goes out (in some models it goes out after you fasten safety belts).
	BMW Convertible Rollover Protection System, yellow Goes out shortly after the ignition is switched on: System OK.

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate BMW E36 M3 information source.

Thanks to Valery for the translation of the Professional Car Audio Upgrade. He is so kind and has translated the whole DIY for us. I’m still confused a little bit about some parts of this DIY because I don’t have much knowledge about fiberglass, but I think the result is awesome! Now, you can understand the procedure easily. Thanks again Valery.

Disclaimer: Use this info at your own risk!! I’m not responsible if this didn’t work for you :-).

Hi everyone, I’m 19 and I own a E36 325TDS with a lot of extra parts for it so that I modify inside and out a little bit. I installed a Oxygen Alium 5, 13cm diameter Kit and a 20cm Speaker Oxy Alium 203.

First, I removed the vinyl, and then cut the panel

Next, I cut a piece of MDF (Medium Density Foam) of 19mm thick

A little bit of fiber to maintain the MDF. Check out the door:

Here is what I used, you’ll tell me “It is not wow” but I couldn’t afford better, these speakers are really good for the price.

Setting the canvas, this is not some cheap fabric this is lycra I know I know back to work, major advantage of the lycra is its scalability.

Application of resin (What is that? Ken can you help ?):

Once the resin is dry on the fabric, cut a piece of glass fiber as so:

What you get once resin applied:

Now the most annoying part of the project smooth all of it :s:  I hate doing it lol Here is what you get when installed:

The installation progressed a bit, I replaced my previous kit by a MAC Audio Diamonds 2.13Here are the pics

So, It’s been a while since I’ve done it, I will soon replace them by a Focal Utopia 136W kit.

My latest project:
Here is the idea, as you might remember I’ve installed new speakers in my doors, I then realized that I couldn’t open my glovebox anymore lol Anyway, I decided to fit a subwoofer instead of the glovebox.The subwoofer is a Focal 27A, here we go, pictures !

First, build the box in medium 19mm, I reached a volume of 15L. I had to take out the fan system to gain space and pack everything to fit it in.

Fixing plate to hold it

What It looks like after the Subwoofer is inserted.:

Application of the canvas to get a good shape.

I then used foil to unmould the shape I got, made of fiber.

What you get with 3 layers of fiber. Where I am right now.

Smooth the whole thing and black vinyl, with golden screws. Check out the result

Are you looking for more do it yourself procedures (DIY) ? I recommend the Bentley BMW 3 series service manual for you. I got it and I think it’s a gold mine for us -BMW E36 Owners-. If you didn’t grab your copy yet, get it right now! I’m sure you’ll find this book worth every penny you’ve paid for. Get the Bentley BMW 3 series service manual

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate BMW E36 information source.

Hello,

Hicham was so kind to send me a link which contains a description of how to upgrade your BMW E36 car audio in a very professional way. You can check the thread here. Unfortunately, it’s in French and because I don’t know French, I had to figure this thread out using the pictures included. I’m confident you’re going to like this very much. I included here some photos that may explain the procedure, but for those of you who understand French, you can refer to the thread I pointed out. Also, it would be great if you can translate some of the text there and post it here as a comment. That would help us understand this more. Thanks Hicham for the link.

Take a look: