X5 (E53) 2000-2006

The first generation of BMW x5 vehicle was fitted with one of four audio systems.

Standard
This setup is fairly straightforward with speakers running directly off of the factory radio. Most of these vehicles use a quadlock connector behind the radio, however there are some with the older style round pin plug. The easiest way to confirm which is to remove the factory radio and physically check.

Navigation (no amplifier)
All navigation radios are in fact just simple screens with a tuner module located under the boot floor, next to the battery, and a navigation module behind the rear left quarter panel. To replace the factory navigation screen cables need to run from the aftermarket headunit to the rear of the vehicle.

Navigation with Power Amplifier
Some factory navigation radios output audio via a traditional power amplifier, located in the same rear left quarter panel as the navigation module. The power amplifier can be identified as it uses only 1 connector plug. This is turned on by a standard 12V+ ignition signal and is relatively simple to integrate with an aftermarket radio.

Navigation with DSP Amplifier
The premium factory radio in this model was a navigation unit with separate DSP amplifier. This will be installed in the same rear left quarter panel as the other systems and can be identified by the 3 plugs connected to it. These amplifiers use a signal from the vehicles i-Bus data network meaning that removing the factory radio will stop them working and require bypassing.