MT Auto Parts Blog | Expert Tips for BMW enthusiasts on BMW Parts, Accessories, Engines and More

  Photo by Mr Dibo on Unsplash The BMW audio system question comes up surprisingly often, and usually for the same reason: someone buys a used BMW, assumes it has the premium system because it’s a BMW, and then wonders why it sounds a bit flat. Or they buy new and want to know whether it’s worth adding Harman Kardon as an option. Or they’ve heard about Bowers & Wilkins and want to know if their car can have it. This guide answers all of it. In simple and plain language, to the question every BMW owner eventually asks: what have I actually got? BMW’s Four Audio System Tiers BMW offers four distinct levels of in-car audio, from the standard system fitted to every car to the flagship Bowers & Wilkins Diamond. Here’s what each one actually is: 1. Base (Standard) System The entry-level system is fitted to BMWs that haven’t been optioned with anything better. You’ll typically find six speakers driven by the head unit directly, with no separate amplifier. It’s perfectly functiona...

Photo by Yoab Anderson on Unsplash Why Would You Upgrade a BMW Sound System? BMW produces genuinely good standard audio systems. Even the base-specification setup on most F and G-generation models is perfectly acceptable for everyday listening. BMW Harman Kardon , premium factory option on mid-to-high specification cars. It is a genuinely accomplished system that many owners consider more than sufficient. So why upgrade at all? Three reasons come up consistently. The first is that base-specification BMW audio simply does not match the quality of the rest of the car. The second is that Harman Kardon, while good, is designed for broad appeal rather than performance sound. The third is that many owners acquire used BMWs without the higher-specification audio fitted and want to improve what they have. Whatever the starting point, the good news is that BMW’s modular audio architecture makes upgrading relatively straightforward compared to many other brands. You can improve the system increm...