Advice needed for subwoofer upgrade on 2010 e Coupe

[gtione]

I bought myself a new E Class Coupe in September this year with the full Harmon Kardon sound system. I am 80% happy with the system with the exeption of the sub woofer on the rear shelf.

The OEM unit is poor to say the very least. Bass range is very limited and the unit is poorly fitted IMO as it rattles and strains with most tracks. The OEM unit is a 200mmx270mm almost 6x9 shaped.

I would therefore like to see if I have the option to upgrade the subwoofer. I do not want to touch the unit that is in there but thought of maybe disconnecting it and having a sub in a box type fitment put in the boot.

I dont know much about the HK OEM amp in the car. Would this be strong enough to run a 10" Sub in a custom box? Ideally I dont want to mess around with the car and would like to be able to remove the boxed sub if needed and reconnect the OEM unit.

I used to be very into ICE back when I was a lad but have lost touch with the trade and the cars seem untouchable these days with all the electronics etc.

Anybody done something like this?

 

[timskemp]

I've got a 12" vibe slick in the boot of my E class, bear in mind the battery is in the boot on mine (not sure about yours) which makes it an easy fit. I've left the factory sub (passive in mine) in place but disconnected.

 

[gtione]

I've got a 12" vibe slick in the boot of my E class, bear in mind the battery is in the boot on mine (not sure about yours) which makes it an easy fit. I've left the factory sub (passive in mine) in place but disconnected.

Is that a passive or active unit?

 

[timskemp]

Mine's active.

Halfords | Vibe Slick Bass Pack 0.1-V1

 

[gr4h4m]

Hi how did you connect the sub in?

 

[richard]

The E coupe (and C) uses a single amp to drive the Sub and the rest of the speakers. The E saloon (and ML/GL) have an extra subwoofer amp so a better subwoofer in addition to the same single amp in the E coupe.

I think therefore there is a low level stereo output from the amp which could be used to feed an active sub. But I dont have wiring diagrams to hand to check

Richard