BMW 318is CarPC

I joined the forum back in July and I am totally hooked. I've lurked for a while, read tonnes, made a few posts and generally made myself green with envy at other peoples installs. Now I've finally decided to take the plunge and get started.
I’ve just ordered my first piece of kit for my carpc, a Via Epia MII 12000 LVDS 1.2Ghz Motherboard. I ordered it from LinITX.co.uk for £137.95. As I go through the install I want to mention who I get the parts from as it’s a good way of highlighting the cheapest suppliers. Hope thats okay.
Anyway, the result is I’m getting massively over-excited about the whole thing and want to share my enthusiasm by writing a massive post which doesn’t really ask anything to start with. Suggestions are always welcome though. Plus the posts I like to read the most are the ones that describe an entire install, gathering in the info that it is lurking in the rest of the forum. So this is the start of a hopefully huge thread that will do just that. The answers I find elsewhere on the forum, I’ll repeat back here in the thread. The plan is roughly as below.

Plan:
Phase One:
Setup motherboard with 40gb 3.5” drive and 5.25” CD-RW/DVD-ROM optical drive.
The first job is to install WinXP Pro.
Then I’m going to update/flash the bios so I can get a BMW logo on the startup screen. I figure it’s best do this first just in case I fry the board, rather than waste tonnes of hours doing other things and then fry it. Not that I’m being pessimistic, I’m sure it’ll work no probs.
The next job is to customize XP to fit the OEM look. I’m going to modify the windows startup screen to remove XP stuff and put the same BMW logo in place. Then I’m going to modify the Log On and Log Off screens to have the same look. Finally I’m going to do the desktop. At this point I’ll take a backup image of the install so far.
Then I’m going to install the software for it’s operation, i.e. Frodoplayer etc. Add in a few mp3s, then it’s time to start optimizing the boot time.

Phase Two:
Replace desktop bits with laptop bits.

Phase Three:
Put a 7” Touchscreen into a double din slot and make it look OEM. I’m a tad nervous about the fabrication side of things so hopefully by the time I get round to this the clever people at Xenarc or Lilliput might have realised that as their product is aimed at in-car uses, it might be nice to have a double-din model.
Put the optical drive in the fabric next to the interior lights section on the roof.

Phase Four:
Complete wiring and install the computer.

Phase Five:
Tinker :)

I have installed this in my 318is as well, you will only find switched power behind the stereo, it is a red wire.

Thanks for the heads up. Whatr did you do with the monitor? In dash? In the upper or lower double din? Any pictures?

Here's a full write up for installing such a thing in an E36 3 series

http://bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=202727

I've been using that guide to help me do my M3 and it's been overly helpful. You may need to register on the website. I'm not sure.

But the Lilliput 7" touchscreen monitor, despite it's history with touchscreen problems, supposedly fits that lower double din spot without any modifaction other than cutting out the sunglass holder. Just fits snug in there.

@SkipJacks. thanks for the link, looks useful. funnily enough I'm gonna be using an SV24 case for the mock up as well. I want the in-dash mount to have a more OEM look.

Crucial have come up trumps for the memory. 512Mb PC2100 DDR Ram for £49.34 with free delivery. These guys were best on price by a long way.

Actually, you can find ignition switched power almost anywhere in the car. Just look for a purple/white wire and you're set.

I dont think you can, i would know as i have a bmw 318is my self. So Measure the voltage with this guys idea before then connect.

phatbenny, whereabout s in Londo you based (when you are there)?

Muswell Hill every weekend. You?

Wembley.

If you want to compare notes anytime, let us know.