[Ressu82]

Hi guys!
I´m new at the Forum, and I just got my new Z4 (g29), frozen gray, s30i.
I love the car, but i am disapointed in three aspects, and I was wondering if you guys could help me out:

1- Sound system is Harman Kardon but is the worst I have ever seen on
a BMW. IS it easy to upgrade? Any experience on the matter?

2- The phone heating is a serious problem. Any accessorie ou
aftermarket parts that can help with this? I have a IphoneX from
2017

3- The hand graber from the door is very very hard. I use to rest my
knee while I´m driving and after few minutes it hurts. Any
experience on this?

Thank U so much and drive safe!

[Horseman]

Welcome to the forums! COngratulations on your new Z4. LUCKY DUCK getting an s30i with Frozen Gray.. not an option here in the US.

I am surprised to hear you say that the Harmon Kardon system is the worst. I don't have it but my system still sounds incredible, but what don't you like about it?

Yes... we've had many discussions on the phone charging heating issue. Kwajtrader even looked into building a little cooling system for it because of how crazy it is.

Not sure what you mean by point three, though.

[TAZ007]

Congrats and welcome. You will enjoy the car.

On point 1, play with the sound settings a little to get your desired sound. I had to do it and the prologic 7 surround seems to be a good medium. I have the 408W upgraded HK system though and it is good. As far as changing, there are war stories and it seems difficult but not impossible.

On point 2, follow Horseman advice. There is a thread on the Z4 forums for this.

For point 3, I suggest you tape a pillow or dishrag to the handle for comfort. That would be my suggestion

[Kwajtrader]

Here is a link to the thread on a cooling fan for the phone charging pad that I designed. I’m in the process of collecting data on how well it works. Once I know that it works I’ll figure out how to produce them and make it available to others.

On the other topics, I have the HK sound and I think it’s pretty darn good for a convertible once you adjust the sound appropriately, especially with quality input. I’m 6’1 and I haven’t had a problem with the door handle, but everyone is different.

https://g29.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1846723&page=2

[CJ421]

Might I ask, what is your definition of good sound? Do you have good home stereo?

Charles

[tall0n]

Before I had my current Z4, I had a Harley Davidson Ultra Glide with a subwoofer and 4 surround sound speakers. It sounded great standing still, but as soon as I started moving, the bass went away and it sounded "tinny".

I eventually learned that the movement of air, whether on a motorcycle or in my Z4 with the top down, will drastically change how the speakers sound.

A great scientific article that describes this can be found at:
https://sciencing.com/effect-wind-so...ion-23531.html

My Z4 sounds great with the top up at most any speed. However, with the top down, it starts to get "tinny" just like my motorcycle did.

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by tall0n

Before I had my current Z4, I had a Harley Davidson Ultra Glide with a subwoofer and 4 surround sound speakers. It sounded great standing still, but as soon as I started moving, the bass went away and it sounded "tinny".

I eventually learned that the movement of air, whether on a motorcycle or in my Z4 with the top down, will drastically change how the speakers sound.

A great scientific article that describes this can be found at:
https://sciencing.com/effect-wind-so...ion-23531.html

My Z4 sounds great with the top up at most any speed. However, with the top down, it starts to get "tinny" just like my motorcycle did.

I concur mostly. I'm running a 16 CVO Street Glide with 4 fronts in the cowling and two in the saddlebags. The rear's at speed are non-existent, but the fronts can be heard up to 70mph. The 750W amp helps but there is a tinge of tininess. On my Z4 (exec pckg), the sound is awesome with top down. the 408W amp coupled with the EQ settings the bass is omnipresent. Maybe upgrading the amp is the way to go.

[Geradeaus]

Originally Posted by Ressu82

Hi guys!
I´m new at the Forum, and I just got my new Z4 (g29), frozen gray, s30i.
I love the car, but i am disapointed in three aspects, and I was wondering if you guys could help me out:

1- Sound system is Harman Kardon but is the worst I have ever seen on
a BMW. IS it easy to upgrade? Any experience on the matter?

2- The phone heating is a serious problem. Any accessorie ou
aftermarket parts that can help with this? I have a IphoneX from
2017

3- The hand graber from the door is very very hard. I use to rest my
knee while I´m driving and after few minutes it hurts. Any
experience on this?

Thank U so much and drive safe!

Congratulations on your new Z4! I love the Frozen Gray color but wouldn't trade my San Francisco Red for it.

1 -
My initial reaction to the H.K. system was that it was horrible. I discovered that it is pretty good! My problem was that I was listening to XM radio and they just don't transmit enough data for the system to do a good job with it. I now almost always listen to Apple Music with Car Play or HD Radio. Both of these sources allow the H.K. osystem to produce very nice sound... after...

I played with the equalizer and adjusted many of the settings until I got the sound I wanted. If you take the time to dial-in the sound you're looking for I think it will change your mind about the H.K. system.

Also, don't forget the listening environment. Top down cruising is noisey. You'll never get a total concert hall sound until you park the car in a quiet garage.

2-
The problem is that everyone thinks it's a phone charger. It's not - it's a tiny microwave oven for heating up Hot Pockets! Use it as such and you won't complain about your iPhone overheating which they constantly do on the "charger"!

3-
The two BMW's I've owned have both had wonderful dead pedals for your left foot. Extend your leg a bit and use the dead pedal in the Z4. My leg doesn't touch the door panel and I'm a six footer.

The sDrive 30i is a great machine. It moves out smartly with just a little touch of the "go" pedal and it will carve through curves like the proverbial hot knife through butter. BMW definitely designed a winner! Enjoy!!!

[Rob_G77]

The audio system in my friend's 2012 SLC (Mercedes) sounds noticeably better than what my Z4 sounded like. The Z4 just lacks 'punch' and you can only somewhat achieve that by really high volume levels. It's not bad, but probably should have been better than it is.

Rob

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by Rob_G77

The audio system in my friend's 2012 SLC (Mercedes) sounds noticeably better than what my Z4 sounded like. The Z4 just lacks 'punch' and you can only somewhat achieve that by really high volume levels. It's not bad, but probably should have been better than it is.

Rob

This combat veteran disagrees; then again this combat veteran has hearing loss due to action. Guess my opinion isn't worth much here.

[Living Dead]

I agree, the HK system is weak compared to other BMW's I've owned, I had an 06 E85 with the Businessman system, a '15 E89 35is, I don't remember the system specifics but it was great, and before this I had an M240i with the HK and all of them had much better sound at highway speeds and around town with the top up than this M40i with the HK.

I have an older iPhone so it doesn't have the wireless charging capabilities, it heats up anyway either plugged in or just streaming music through apple car play, it may not be the charging that's the problem it could just be an apple problem.

I'm 5'7 so my knee doesn't even reach the door handle.

[Amadeo]

I tried different sound sources in the car. The best sound comes from prerecorded music on a usb pen drive. Sound from apple music or amazon music with apple carplay is not so good. Sound from radio is bad.

[JasonDot]

The best audio sources in the Z4 is the environment with the top down, let music be the subtle background.

[DPelletier]

Welcome.

1) Can't help much with the stereo; I don't listen to it much.....it doesn't seem that bad to me compared to my SLK/GLK/GLC or Audi SQ8 but again; I don't listen to it much. I think there is something to the earlier comment about wind affecting the sound system as well as the fact that speaker placement isn't ideal in a tiny little two seat cabin.

2) common complaint. removing any phone case will help.....also it seems to be less a problem with newer phones...

3) I've not noticed this so I'm guessing I don't rest my knee on the door handle. The next time I drive it, I'll check.


Dave

[Kaike21]

Can someone post the best configuration for the HK?

[gipsontodd@yahoo.com]

I got an estimate to replace the entire stock stereo system in my m40i, total price $4500. Replacement will have to wait.

[Horseman]

Originally Posted by gipsontodd@yahoo.com

I got an estimate to replace the entire stock stereo system in my m40i, total price $4500. Replacement will have to wait.

Whoooaaa yikes. Yeah that might be the 10 year upgrade lol

[Kwajtrader]

Originally Posted by JasonDot

The best audio sources in the Z4 is the environment with the top down, let music be the subtle background.

I drive with the top down and the radio off more than with either of my previous 6 series convertibles. I also tend to drive with the windows down to feel the wind. I find the exhaust notes more pleasant and the overall experience much more relaxing. For me, with quality content on my iphone the sound is excellent at reasonable speeds. But I’m sure it depends on what you like to listen to. I tend to like “scary pockets” funk remixes of classics. I found them on youtube. Here is one example

[Ressu82]

You Guys, greetings from Portugal!!! Already have 1000km

Thank you all for your replies, they were pretty helpul!

1- Regarding the sound of HK, I started mixing the equalizer and the Prologic 7 and improoved a little bit...... Could you guys share your costumization so I can try several opitions?
I tend to listen to Spotify, but I notice that the radio sound is better!
Does Apple Music sounds better? What did you mean by apple music on radio HD?

2- The phone overheating is a real problem. How can BMW not have seen this? I will try with a newer model of Iphone, like the 12 and give you guys the feedback.

3- The door handle is still a problem but my knee is getting used to it. I ill try to stick black leather soft cover. I have one on my M2comp on the side.

tku all

[Kwajtrader]

Originally Posted by Ressu82

You Guys, greetings from Portugal!!! Already have 1000km

Thank you all for your replies, they were pretty helpul!

1- Regarding the sound of HK, I started mixing the equalizer and the Prologic 7 and improoved a little bit...... Could you guys share your costumization so I can try several opitions?
I tend to listen to Spotify, but I notice that the radio sound is better!
Does Apple Music sounds better? What did you mean by apple music on radio HD?

2- The phone overheating is a real problem. How can BMW not have seen this? I will try with a newer model of Iphone, like the 12 and give you guys the feedback.

3- The door handle is still a problem but my knee is getting used to it. I ill try to stick black leather soft cover. I have one on my M2comp on the side.

tku all

I have an iPhone 12 Pro and it gets hot.

[Gon83]

Originally Posted by Ressu82

You Guys, greetings from Portugal!!! Already have 1000km

Thank you all for your replies, they were pretty helpul!

1- Regarding the sound of HK, I started mixing the equalizer and the Prologic 7 and improoved a little bit...... Could you guys share your costumization so I can try several opitions?
I tend to listen to Spotify, but I notice that the radio sound is better!
Does Apple Music sounds better? What did you mean by apple music on radio HD?

2- The phone overheating is a real problem. How can BMW not have seen this? I will try with a newer model of Iphone, like the 12 and give you guys the feedback.

3- The door handle is still a problem but my knee is getting used to it. I ill try to stick black leather soft cover. I have one on my M2comp on the side.

tku all

The iPhone X had a serious overheating problem in all wireless chargers. I had the same issue with mine.
I have now a 12 pro and it’s better. Still it gets a bit warm.

[Bigmouth Studio]

For the HK sound system, I found it very beautiful after I disabled the Active Sound Design (i.e. the flake engine & exhaust sound). But you need coding.
Hope it can help.