Thread: E46 CarPC with NAV

pretty much just check in the various forums, there is a total bad *** install in an e46 M3, you need to check it out for ideas... he dumps the whole unit and builds his from the ground up... he also taps into the ECU to get everything from headlight status to diagnostics... mounted the DVD drive upside down in the sunroof control area...

as far as using the OEM GPS you need to refer to the GPS forum for that one, be sure to search first or they'll bite your head off... the wiring might be complicated but worth it... the truth is a good GPS can be bought for $50... so figure what your time is worth... and maybe look into the more modern shark fin for the GPS mouse to fit in.

good luck, welcome to the carputer world..

I've searched the above and haven't come across any info about removing the original NAV unit that came with my 2000 BMW e46 (a 328Ci) and installing a pc instead. I've read about the other killer installs for e46s, but none seem to have BMW nav before the install. I'm worried about what I'll lose when I take out the nav unit - trip computer functions, etc.

I'd also like to find out about reusing as much of the existing wiring as possible - like the gps antenna.

I'm lucky in the sense that I don't have to relocate my air cond unit (it's already in the bottom bay). I'm just trying to see if anyone has any experience with specifically replacing the NAV unit with a car pc before I take the plunge and go at it myself.

There's a guy here who actually kept the OEM nav unit and screen and tappped into the ibus to control his frontend. Very nice indeed

Where?

You'll need to search in the 'Show off your projects' section i'm afraid.....lol
I'll try and have a look

Ok, it's the E39, but he's still used the ibus hack
Clicky

Originally Posted by Hark

I've searched the above and haven't come across any info about removing the original NAV unit that came with my 2000 BMW e46

You might want to check out some BMW forums for specific info on OEM systems. Unless someone here has done exactly what you want to do AND has documented the process, it might be hard to get that info here. I have the same issue with my car (as there are not any specific '01 Tahoe installs here that I have found) but I was able to find more OEM info on Chevy/Tahoe related forums. Good luck.

Hark, I am considering doing the exact thing you are planning in my X5 and am debating with the same questions...Especially after reading in the other forums how inferior PC nav is to OEM nav. Is there any way to integrate. What did you wind up doing?