Thread: BMW E46 Owners with DSP systems and no HU

I just realized I'm thinking about this all wrong...I now have a new plan.

I'm not real senesative to audio quality, most systems sound good to me, and adding a sub to any system seems be a good touch. I like my HK system and the only reason I would replace it would be to integrate the screen in the dash (which would require removal of the HU to fit the screen.)

Well I don't know why I didn't think of this before but I can easily move my HU into the glove box, which would allow me to keep my steering wheel controls, radio and CD player, speakers and existing HK setup, and still integrate the screen into my dash. I already purchased an aux adapter and installed it so that'll be my sound input (you can buy aux adapters for pre 2k2 cars also.)

Since I'll really only be using the HU for the aux input and radio I'll won't need access to it since I have radio and volume controls on my steering wheel.

If my motherboard EVER arrives from mini-itx (going on 2 weeks now) I'll start to post pictures.

-Ed

edrock200: Relocating your head unit to your glovebox sounds like a great idea. One thing you may not have considered: I don't think it is possible to switch sources (cd/aux/phone/radio) via the steering wheel controls. The switching function is only possible via the head unit buttons. So this would require opening your glovebox to switch sources. Another possible problem: is the glovebox deep enough to hold the head unit? The head unit is pretty deep...

But this DOES sound like a really good idea...so much in fact that I am considering this in my ride now...it would get me back my volume control and bluetooth phone steering wheel buttons...

One more thing: will the wiring harness for the head unit be long enough to reach the glovebox?

Originally Posted by Jackboot

edrock200: Relocating your head unit to your glovebox sounds like a great idea. One thing you may not have considered: I don't think it is possible to switch sources (cd/aux/phone/radio) via the steering wheel controls. The switching function is only possible via the head unit buttons. So this would require opening your glovebox to switch sources. Another possible problem: is the glovebox deep enough to hold the head unit? The head unit is pretty deep...

But this DOES sound like a really good idea...so much in fact that I am considering this in my ride now...it would get me back my volume control and bluetooth phone steering wheel buttons...

Yeah I was thinking about these items today as well. I really don't plan on listening to the radio very often so I would most likely just leave it in AUX mode. However, the button has to be a simple contact switch and I could probably wire an external switches, on for the CD button and one for the FM button. I don't use Phone (will be using bluetooth) and the aux works with the CD button in my car. If I could rig up a button I might even be able to hide the unit back in the dash somewhere.

Otherwise it's really not a huge deal if I have to use the glovebox to change inputs as I will rarely be doing it.

As for the wiring harnass, I also thought about that. I know they make extensions for the antenna cable but I'll have to extend the harnass manually. As long as I do it one wire at a time I should be good. I'll post to this thread on my progress for relocating the HU.

One more thing: will the wiring harness for the head unit be long enough to reach the glovebox?

FYI though Jackboot, I believe you can continue to use your phone and volume controls using the iBus module for our vehicles. You would have to map the steering wheel buttons to functions on the carputer, but I believe others around here have done it.

edrock, any update?
I have an identical situation. I have a 2000 e46, with business CD HK audio, and have no interest in upgrading my amp and speakers, but plan on installing a carputer, so the HU has to move. I was hoping to remove the HU entirely, and use something like the Vendetta4 and go directly from the PC into the AMP in the trunk. I just ordered the SVEN4 (new version of the VEN4), and hopefully it will work. Were you able to overcome the issues with mounting in the glovebox? Do you always leave it on AUX? I am planning on doing this type of setup in the next couple weeks, and hope to figure it all out before i start ripping open the car...

Here is the device I'm hoping to use
http://www.cardomain.com/item/PERSVEN4

I'd really like to find a solution to this also...

I tried to fit the HU in the glovebox - but 2 problems: 1)the HU is too deep 2)the cables don't reach that far

...try again...any other ideas?

any update to this, yet? I'm looking to do the same thing, but i'd liket to keep my HU.

Possible Ideas:
+Fab up a LCD panel to go into the Ash/Sunglass compartment
+Relocate HU into glove box
+Relocate HU into either sunglass or ashtray compartment

any thoughts?