BMW E46 convertible install - FOR SALE!

**kelmk** · 01-21-2008, 01:54 PM

So I gave up on the Gateway laptop for now. It kept locking up on suspend requiring reboots among other problems. Gps not working and secondary monitor clone stopping etc.
I switched to my sony vaio and so far no probs at all. I just need to crack it open and wire my power switch like I did to the Gateway.
The vaio is even a little smaller and will fit better under the amp. I will have to reroute some of the wires since the usb ports are on the other side.

**ik632** · 02-06-2008, 09:43 AM

I use a SN as well and it's great. It's nice to see it installed in an E46 like this. It's almost like the way that iDrive was supposed to work

**kelmk** · 02-06-2008, 10:50 AM

I'm having problems with my SN though. Whenever I have the RBC9 drivers installed, my computer won't resume from standby.

**ik632** · 02-06-2008, 01:38 PM

I had a similar problem with an older machine. Have you tried plugging the devices into a powered USB hub and then having the power to the hub switch on with the ignition?

**kelmk** · 02-07-2008, 06:07 PM

I have it running through a powered usb hub but the hub still functions when the power is disconnected. The devices are not drawing enough power to need to be powered anyways so unplugging it doesn't actually disconnect the device. I'll try using devcon to uninstall the SN when I standby and see what happens.

**upspace** · 03-02-2008, 02:18 PM

very clean and professional installation.

wondering how exactly you did the spacenavigator plate. did you got some spare parts or were just using a plastic piece. and how did you attach it to the box? did you take out the slider to open/close the cabinet?

would appreciate some close-ups how exactly it is attached.

**kelmk** · 03-05-2008, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by upspace

very clean and professional installation.

wondering how exactly you did the spacenavigator plate. did you got some spare parts or were just using a plastic piece. and how did you attach it to the box? did you take out the slider to open/close the cabinet?

would appreciate some close-ups how exactly it is attached.

Thanks. I started with the stock cup holder and used a dremel to cut off the bottom of the front cup holder. I wanted to keep this piece to use to fill up the hole. I then chopped off the rest of the holder except about half and inch for structural reasons. Then I used some plastic epoxy to fill in the difference between the bottom piece and the hole since it is a little bit smaller. Once that is set I sanded it flat and then used some body filler to smooth it all out and sanded again. Now it looks like there was never a hole there. After taking the big metal bottom off the space navigator, I used it as a template for where to cut the new hole. I used a dremel to cut out a hole the right size for the SN and it pops right in. No need to even secure it in any way since it's tight enough.
I drilled a couple more holes for a power button and a bass volume knob and then finished it off with some SEM paint to match the rest of the center console.

I can post some pics tonight when I get them off my camera.

**kelmk** · 03-05-2008, 12:31 PM

So, I added some pre amps to my install because the line out from the Turtle Beach SRS was too low to drive the amps.
I went with a PHOENIX GOLD SLD44 SIGNAL LINE DRIVER PROCESSOR from the front and rear and a JL AUDIO CL-RLC 2-Ch REMOTE LEVEL CONTROL / LINE DRIVER for the sub. I like the JL Audio because it has a remote volume knob that I mounted beside my space navigator. It's very cool to have bass control right there.

I am also using FreeIce full time now as it has everything I need and it very slick. I have decided to use iGuidance 4 as my gps of choice after creating a custom skin for it. I like that it has voice prompts for road names and not just directions so I don't even have to have it visible all the time. I will usually Minimize it and watch my position of Google Earth instead. I am using goops with live gps tracking in Google Earth and it's awesome. It blows everyone away when they see it for the first time.

I'm still working on getting steering wheel controls back after removing my head unit and I should get my new lilliput transflective from Motorcity today. I can't wait to get it in the car. I fried the last one I had by hooking up the 12v power reversed. Not smart at all.

I got a few other toys not carPC related that I need to throw on too. Angel eyes, new rear rotors, new belts. I spent the last two days replacing my springs back to sport suspension after having it lowered for the last 6 months. The bottom of my car and front bumper were taking too much of a beating.

**kelmk** · 03-14-2008, 11:51 AM

Lots of people are asking about the Space Navigator mod so here are some new wip pics.

**kelmk** · 03-14-2008, 12:07 PM

I got fed up with screens that I couldn't read with the top down so I splurged on a cartft 7" transflective CTF700-SH. Got it in two days from Germany. Total came to around $700 Next to the iphone, it's the best screen I have seen in daylight and the contrast is awesome. On a bright sunny day with the top down I could see the screen 100% of the time. Even with direct sun reflection. The top screen is a Motorcity transflective.