Thread: BMW X3 Carpc Installation - Newbie - X3

Starting the "build" of the new carpc - initially with a VIA 1200 combo VroomII case. Not sure yet regarding best fit and where. I also have a Cappucino PC which is a very small footprint but gets very warm. Not sure on the video quality of the Cappucino via its RCA out and to the HU unit. Anyone put a VroomII case in their X3 yet?

Pete -

There does not seem to be a lot of posting on this unit, so lets change that!

Our X3 is on its way beck from Munich and I'm getting started on the build.

At this time, I've chosen an Intel 210GLY2 fanless mini-ITX fanless mobo for a linux based music and nav system. This is a really inexpensive mobo; I got the board (with soldered processor), 12v PS, 2 GB IDE solid state disk and 1 gb of RAM for ~$200.

If I do video to the backseat, I may make changes in this system, either adding a video card or .... As I got the comfort seat option, putting monitors in the headrest maybe problematic.

You'll need an IBUS adaptor, available several places. Do you have the BMW NAV installed? I passed on this option; used a Garmin Nuvi in Europe (and it was a lifesaver ...).

Tho I have limited (10 days) experience w the vehicle, I am seriously considering a caseless mounting in the rear area with a small 12v fan and appropriate vent holes to move cooling air through the housing. I'd really like it to be as unobtrusive as reasonably possible.

My biggest need at the moment is finding a screen (?touch) that would fit in the lid of the non-motorized pop-up storage area where the regular NAV sits. Since mine in not available, I can't measure it. I'm guessing that a 7: screen is all that is likely to fit in there.

Some folks indicate that it is better to go non-touch w a separate touch pad lower down, but I'm not visualizing a good spot.

Anyhow, hope we can get some interest going.

Dave

Dave, any news? Purchased a third MB. To date have three setups but have not tried one as of yet. Working on moving AUX to the rear of the vehicle using the CD wiring. It should not be too much of a big deal.

Pete -

Thanks for asking.

The unit is essentially complete. wifi, bluetooth, turtle beach USB sound (*much* better than the onboard chipset), backup camera, GPS, USB keyboard and trackball. I built a 'case' (photo on my Zenfolio site (dspeed.zenfolio.com) under Recent) which fits handily into the empty space behind the trip panel on the driver's side at the rear of the coach. After running the box for hours while tweaking the Linux install, I find she tends to run hot and have decided to go w a CoolerMaster HS and fan unit. Looking for some grills now to use for in/out vents in that rear space. Something in black for an 80mm fan I think.

The unit is currently on Fedora Core 7 (IIRC) with a ton of dev tools all running off a 100 mb HDD which I have mounted to the heatsink/case. Having some probs getting the old girl to synch on the wifi connection for SW updates.

I picked up a monitor - a 7" Lilliput - to play with. Have tenatively decided that the X3 (E83) flip up bin is too far forwards and too light. Picked up a 16" gooseneck stalk to mount on the LH pass seat bolt, and find its 4 or 5" too long for my taste, but I think it will work out OK otherwise. The SIS video chipset is barely supported, but I got it to run at full monitor res (600x800 IIRC?) and the screen looks fine.

As I did not go w a touch screen (may or may no be a bad idea), I'm working w a trackball. First Logitech unit too large; considering alternatives.

Currently working on the Linux Nav package - this is much more involved than I had hoped. Also learning how do pare down for a minimalist package for faster boots.

In the beginning I went with a Pico PS w little smarts. After some consideration, I think I see why people are paying for the smarter PS units.

Picked up a rev 0 board for my son to play weather station with and using another rev2 board to run a minimalist mirror raid system for the house in the interim. Also see that some people are successfully running 2gb sticks and have one on order for trials. Have not messed with the SS IDE Disk for faster boots yet.

Intel is releasing a new generation of boards, but I think they will be a lot more pricey and power hungry, not to mention unsoldered processors. The only downside of this board (IMHO) is not enough 'oomph' to run video for the kids at the same time as taknig care of my needs; this looks to be a seperate system.

All in all, not bad progress for an old Chemist <g>. Drop me a line and I'll send some photos.

Dave

Here's a picture of the IBUS interface. It will be mounted on top of the Sirius Box.

GNET video module in left rear space area of X-3. This is where the small CarPC is going to be installed. Will update posts with more pictures once the CarPC is installed. Might move the GNET video module to below the Sirius box and put the 6"X6" micro PC on top of the NAV.

AUX & Rear Hatch release installed in X-3. Same AUX port will be utilized for CarPC in rear of X3.

When using the BT connection, are you able to use the microphone that came with the car in the 330xi? I read and re-read your original post, it seems you are still using the headunit that is relocated using the AUX connection.

Can you expand on that a little bit, explain the connections there using the PC to connect to the headunit?

Any ideas how to get the phone to work with the PC with BT and microphone without using the headunit?

What front end are you using?

Thanks.

I have a BMW BT module and a CarPC BT/WLAN USB dongle. I am able to use both. I am using the microphone that came with the BMW for VR and BT.

In order to use the PC BT you would have to run a wireless BT microphone.

I upgraded the radio module to give me the ability for AUX. In the 330XI I have the AUX connected right out of the back of the radio. The head unit shows aux and when switching to AUX the PC video is enabled.

I am using an original BMW TV video module for the video on the 330XI. I am plugging in the CarPC video out into the TV Video module.

I am using CarX. I can post my INI file if you would like to see it.