[Seani89]

This happened to me today.

Rang the dealer and absolutely let rip on them.

Cars booked in tomorrow for inspection

[jonahk]

Originally Posted by Seani89

This happened to me today.

Rang the dealer and absolutely let rip on them.

Cars booked in tomorrow for inspection

You yelled at the dealer for something completely out of their control?

[Seani89]

Yeah I did. The car has been in multiple times for various faults with the HK system.

Is that ok with you?

[DrAnzo2.0]

So yesterday I had the pops and crackle sound happen again. This time the audio totally stopped working afterwards. BMW has my car today, and diagnosed it with a failed amplifier... said the part has to be ordered from Germany. In the meantime I’ll be driving this 430Xi. After driving this 4 series I’m so glad I went with the M2 over the M4... this thing feels like a boat. The interior of this spec is not impressive at all.

[Who?]

Originally Posted by Seani89

Yeah I did. The car has been in multiple times for various faults with the HK system.

Is that ok with you?

yes, yelling and verbal abuse usually help

[seattle86]

Had the dealer install window tint before taking delivery. SA called and apologized and said the amplifier made a loud pop and then crackled and died. He said they'd cover it under a warranty claim, but of course they don't have a replacement, and they have to order it from Germany. This was last week. He called today to say the amp is back ordered and BMW has no eta on replacements. I haven't even driven it yet .

[smc07419]

A few weeks ago it was my turn with the amplifier issue. I had my windows tinted on Saturday Feb 24th and the amp failed on Tuesday Feb 27th. There seems to be a strong correlation between window tinting and amp failure.....so be careful out there. Anyway, after a little wait to get the part delivered from Germany the amp was replaced today under warranty.

I see on my work order that they also performed a battery charge. I had been getting a battery drain warning a few times since this happened but I just assumed it was from my dash cam running in parking mode (which it probably was). Anyone else get this battery warning?

[David1]

Originally Posted by smc07419

A few weeks ago it was my turn with the amplifier issue. I had my windows tinted on Saturday Feb 24th and the amp failed on Tuesday Feb 27th. There seems to be a strong correlation between window tinting and amp failure.....so be careful out there. Anyway, after a little wait to get the part delivered from Germany the amp was replaced today under warranty.

I see on my work order that they also performed a battery charge. I had been getting a battery drain warning a few times since this happened but I just assumed it was from my dash cam running in parking mode (which it probably was). Anyone else get this?

Yup, water goes down/finds its way to the inside of the C-panel then onto the amp.

[horsepower_and_hounds]

Anybody thought about taking out the trunk liner and covering the amp prior to getting tint done? I am thinking of giving it a try. The tint location I plan on using says they are aware of the problem. I still feel uneasy

Also when they spray all the solution everywhere how do the keep it off the alcantara side panels don't want any streaks on it

[jonahk]

Originally Posted by m2ruder

Anybody thought about taking out the trunk liner and covering the amp prior to getting tint done? I am thinking of giving it a try. The tint location I plan on using says they are aware of the problem. I still feel uneasy

Also when they spray all the solution everywhere how do the keep it off the alcantara side panels don't want any streaks on it

Any decent installer should lay down plastic to protect the interior

[Spartan King]

Originally Posted by jonahk

Any decent installer should lay down plastic to protect the interior

I agree. For my M2 I used the same installer that did my PPF, and couldn’t find any evidence of over spray on interior panels. In the past with other cars done by different tint installers I could see where the solution had left it’s mark on my interior and in some cases it was permanent. Just like most things in this category the installer is more important than the product itself.

[Peasley]

This happened to me this morning so from reading here sounds like a new amp is needed. Only had the car two weeks and no window tinting has been done! Car booked in for Monday and dealer agreed to order in a new amp ready so I hopefully don't have to make two trips.

BTW Hi all, first post and all that

[Ymalo22]

I believe my amp is blown as well. The sound was so unbearable I had to get out of the car and shut the door. So loud I couldn't even think.

I restarted my idrive by holding the volume & eject button down and it hasn't happened again since. I too got my tints done but that was two months prior to this issue happening so it would be a stretch to say it was from the tints.

Bringing it in for service today so hopefully they address the problem. Seems like shitty amps to me.

[jonahk]

Originally Posted by Peasley

This happened to me this morning so from reading here sounds like a new amp is needed. Only had the car two weeks and no window tinting has been done! Car booked in for Monday and dealer agreed to order in a new amp ready so I hopefully don't have to make two trips.

BTW Hi all, first post and all that

Welcome!

And it should be a quick swap at your dealer. Kind of a nuisance but at least it's an easy fix.

[Top pup]

Pretty sure my amp has gone here too, had a load of crackling the other day and now if you put the balance /fader to the front right it's a much lower volume than the other corners and still has a bit of a crackle. They have a look at it when they look at the rear lights that are full of water

[Peasley]

These amps must be absolute garbage. Furthermore out of warranty my dealer said they would want £960 to replace it

[BoxerBran128]

Okay, so I am the latest victim. I heard the crackling sound almost a month ago. Today, as I was on a work conference call, the entire speaker system just went out. I may have heard a pop, but I get no sound whatsoever. I called the young lady who sold me my car since she works until 8:00 p.m. and she told me to explain to the SA tomorrow. Dammit! the only good thing, I am in Germany... Hopefully it won't take long to replace it.

[Peasley]

Feeling pretty miffed over here. Car went in to have new amp fitted on Monday. All went well and sound system working as it should. Today this happened again...

At this rate I will get through approximately 52 amps per year

[horsepower_and_hounds]

Fuck me...mine did that today it was so loud i had to shut it off. Then drive went off and came back on and the sound was normal. These cars have way too many computers. Oh I have not had my windows tinted, never been driven in the rain and has 3800 miles "LCI"

[Peasley]

Forgive me if this is a silly question but would it be simple enough to install (or have a more competent person install) a more reliable aftermarket amp instead of one of these things? Not sure I fancy taking my car in to have a new amp fitted every week or so.

[Howzer73]

I have had one amp replaced under warranty. While I have a warranty I would expect a replacement if it failed again. Once out of warranty then I will replace with something of my own choosing. Can’t fault my dealer just sorted it immediately it blew.

Now reading the thread seems to be a part weakness. Mine had nothing to do with window tinting as my windows were done after the failure.

[RedCarrot]

I had the same amplifier noise issue. Dealer replaced the main amp and vent just yesterday - a $1600+ repair if not for warranty. I haven't tinted any of the windows but I did use under car wash in drive-through car washes during winter. I made a point to do the latter the day before I dropped my car off for amp replacement to see if water does in fact get in. Sure enough the tech found "water intrusion" in the amp area. He opened a "PUMA" case and PUMA suggested to replace the vent. I am not sure if it is a redesigned/revised vent but its part number is 64 22 9 201 647. Hopefully that solved the water intrusion issue but I shall see...

This has really become a safety issue because the noise can get so ear-piercingly loud to the extent that it could permanently damage one's hearing. From reading this thread it appears others have experienced something similar. I myself had a faint ringing artifact in my ears for few hours following an episode in which the speakers went into full berserk mode. I pulled over and jumped out of the car as if it was on fire. I pulled a few speaker fuses to reduce the noise before driving on. Btw, I think the fuse map is not entirely accurate. Sigh... BMW and their electronics - ain't nothing changed