All right, I want to install some ICE and have a few newb questions.

[alen]

I just bought my E30 not even two months ago as a DD and want to beef up the sound some. It's an 85 318i without the premium sound (I think). It's only got two front and two rear speakers (looks like 5.25" all around, is that correct?) No tweeters in doors. It's got some aftermarket cassette player but it's all getting replaced.
I bought a Kenwood HU but I think I might get a nice Sony one with front AUX and USB inputs. While I'm at it, I want to replace the speakers all at once and get a 4ch Amp and do it all at once. That way, would I need the harness, or could I just straight up wire it from the HU meaning all I'd need is speaker wire?
Second, can I go with 6x9 in the back by cutting out the rear deck? I am going to reupholster it myself anyways, so could I fit a 6x9 there?
Third, how the heck can I get the current aftermarket HU out of there? Do I need a set of removal tools, or can I use some tools?

Thanks,
Alen

[AndrewBird]

To hook everything up, you need ground, power and switched power to the HU, all of which should be there. Then you need to run RCA's from the HU to your amp and speaker wire from the amp to the speakers.

Rear speakers in an e30 are pointless. You are better off going with a set of tweeters in the stock location and 5.25's in the kick panels and just leave the rear unhooked/alone.

A sub will REALLY help with low end and is needed if you want any kind of bass. The 5.25's will provide some bass, but really should be left to handle the mids as they are intended.

[alen]

Why do you say the rears are pointless?
So your idea is to go with some low power tweeters in the front (where currently 5.25" sit), install a set of 5.25" kick panels (with a 2ch amp maybe), and a sub?
With what I have written above, I'd like to add a 10" or 12" sub in the future, but all that will cost unjustifiable money for right now.

[jrobie79]

he means the tweeters in the door sails, if you dont have the tweeter pods check out some salvage/junk yards, there should be some threads about adding aftermarket tweeters to them, and then you just put the new 5.25s where the stocks ones are

[AndrewBird]

^^^What he said. I don't mean use the stock tweeters, I mean us the stock tweeter pods with aftermarket tweeters.

As far as rear speaker go, they just aren't needed. You'll end up overpowering the front speakers by doing anything with the rears. I say you get one of Luke's sub boxes and eliminate the speakers that way with ports. See here:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=104449