Hi All

I have a BMW 428i F33 2014 model.

The audio amplifiers has been replaced.

I bought the car second hand, after less than 3 days the audio amplifier popped and it was replaced by the garage i bought the car from (at no cost to me).  However it has blown again.  All sounds, both audio system and the normal bings and bongs have all stopped.

I have taken the unit out of the boot and discovered it has been replaced with an Audison Bit Ten Signal Interface Processor bit drive and a Hertz Mille ML Power 5 5 Channel Amplifier.

It is clearly the Hertz unit that has fried.  Both 40amp fuses are welded in place and the unit stinks of burnt electronics.  The Audison unit still gets power and appears fine.

My question is, do i need to replace the Hertz unit with the same unit again? They are just over £600 for a new one, or can i use any 5 channel 900w amplifier? ( i know next to nothing about car stereos)

Has anyone else had the same or similar issue?

I don't want a mega pounding, super maxed out stereo, i just want the car to bing and bong again and be able to listen to Radio X on my 7 minute drive to work!

I may possibly have included some pictures below?

 

Thanks for your expertise and guidance

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Hi Danny

Welcome to the Forum

I thought the Amp would be Harmen Becker or Harman Kardon may be Bowers & Wilkins (High end stuff)  if it was OEM ? The concern I would have is why the fuses were really, well fused to do that to 40 amp fuses isn't good news. I would have an Audio Specialist look at it if you can't sort it yourself.

Take a look at www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box it will bring up your model the check the Audio section to see what should be there. Then look at what to fix or change

Dave

Thank you Dave for the welcome and the reply.

The original unit, i believe, was the next stereo up from the base unit, not anything flasher than that.

BMW are about as much use as a chocolate teapot and can't/won't tell me what i need without me booking it in with them for them to look and diagnose any issues.  My nearest BMW dealer is 30+ miles away and i really don't have the time or enthusiasm to make the trip for them to sell me all the OEM equipment that was removed last time the same fault happened.  

The issue is the well documented (and ignored by BMW) problem of water entering the boot and sills due to a design flaw, short of silicone sealing all the rear light fittings and drilling holes into my boot floor to drain the water, the issue will continue.

Once i figure out what Amp i can replace this one with, i will be looking at jacking up the Amp or creating a unit to sit it in to keep it out of any standing water.

Thanks again Dave.

You are welcome Danny 

A BMW Dealer will not repair anything, they just change components at the Customers expense and no regard for cost

I would use a BMW Vin Decoder site put the Vin number in and you should get the original build sheet Look at the list of Codes S676A is the basic Hi Fi system S688A is Harmon Kardon S6F1A is Bowers & Wilkins. Then you will know the starting point and will be able to make choices on how you move forward. BMW Designers are good at hiding components in places where they can get flooded, several models over the years have had Nav/Audio in the boot buried under the floor. Plus many of those models had a boot that could become a swimming pool if a seal was damaged or failed so moving your amp out of the danger zone makes sense. As you had the 40 amp fuses melted check the speakers as well as they may have been overloaded

For service, help and knowledge  there is a Register of BMW Specialists you should find more than one near you most are BMW trained they will have the equipment and Knowledge (one near me specialises in BMW/Porsche) yet is still less than half Dealer labour rates. One of those or an Audio Specialist would be on my list if I couldn't do the job myself. 

Good Luck

Dave