BMW E46 convertible install - FOR SALE!

**johnwest72** · 03-19-2008, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by kelmk

Just the plastic enclosure. Make sure you get the correct one since there are a few versions depending on what package you have. I think it was $30 or $40 from the stealership.

You will have to take apart the screen to mount it in the bezel. The cartft is a little more difficult than the lilliputs or the xenarcs to take apart but it's not that bad. The touchscreen is not attached to the lcd panel so I put a little bit on scotch tape on each side to secure it. I just used hot glue to secure all the electronics in place afterwards. I also extended the IR sensor and ran it into the ash tray area so I can use the remote control if I have to. I haven't figured out where to put the light sensor yet though. I plan on fabricating a panel where the ashtray is with an extra usb port, ipod dock, line in, and IR sensor.
I can post some pics later if you like.

I would recommend buying it from cartft.com. Great service and it arrived in SF from Germany in 2 days!

The first orders are in...

-- Ordered the ashtray/ac control enclosure. I sure wish I could have gotten it for that cheap. It cost me $64.99.
-- Ordered the CTF700-SH for ~$840US w/shipping. Ouch!
-- Ordered the bezel from mybimmer.net for $250. Was going to order it from mp3car.com, but I've been trying to call them all day, and no answer. Didn't give me the warm and fuzzies.

Any pics of how you installed the lcd in the bezel would be awesome! Are you able to run the cartft lcd at 800x480? Did you run the cables from the LCD through the center of the car?

Thanks again and again!

John

**kelmk** · 03-19-2008, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by johnwest72

The first orders are in...

-- Ordered the ashtray/ac control enclosure. I sure wish I could have gotten it for that cheap. It cost me $64.99.
-- Ordered the CTF700-SH for ~$840US w/shipping. Ouch!
-- Ordered the bezel from mybimmer.net for $250. Was going to order it from mp3car.com, but I've been trying to call them all day, and no answer. Didn't give me the warm and fuzzies.

Any pics of how you installed the lcd in the bezel would be awesome! Are you able to run the cartft lcd at 800x480? Did you run the cables from the LCD through the center of the car?

Thanks again and again!

John

BMW is weird. Sometimes they give me a deal at the parts department and sometimes they don't. Depends on who is serving you it seems. I have bought the same parts at different prices on different days.

$840 sounds wrong, are you sure you unchecked include VAT? If you are in the US you don't have to pay VAT. I paid $720.43 USD total.

$250 for the bezel is what they go for unfortunately but Rich is the only source I know of and the bezels are very high quality. I also don't get a good feeling towards the mp3car store. I have inquired about their transflective displays before and their answers are short and not very customer service oriented. I just don't get a sense of professionalism from the company.

I haven't been able to get 800x480 running yet but 800x600 looks really sharp and it's kinda hard to tell that it's not native. I am happy with 800x600 for now.

The LCD cables are very long and almost reached to my laptop in the trunk. I had to get a 6 foot VGA extension unfortunately which is the shortest I could find. All I really need is 12 inches or so. I also have about 6 usb cables all running under the carpet into the center console. You can never have too many usb cables. I suggest running a few extra just in case so you don't have to run more later. I also ran a cable with some extra wires that I used for remote on for the amp, 5 volt power front the trunk, laptop power switch, whatever.

**kelmk** · 03-19-2008, 02:59 PM

Here is a good instruction manual for installing an aftermarket sub in the ski hatch.
http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/pr...ible_99-06.pdf
These guys sell a premade kit for this.

**johnwest72** · 03-19-2008, 04:15 PM

You are right about the price. I thought the checkbox was to add VAT; I've requested a refund for the VAT charges.

I think I'll run the extra cables like you suggested. I might also run a couple of cat5 cables.

Not to bug you, but do you have any images showing how to mount the lcd to the bezel? I'm nervous as crap about ruining it

.

Thanks.

John

**kelmk** · 03-19-2008, 11:42 PM

LCD mounted in bezel

**Si_g** · 03-20-2008, 06:04 PM

This thread has a lot of good information. Nice choice of install.

Can you please describe the sound quality you are getting from this setup without having a head unit ? Are you able to control gain (bass) controls as well as mids and highs (treble) with the AMP?

Is upgrading from the stock HK amp really needed?

Also, how do you handle volume control, say when you need to take a phone call, or have a conversation with a passenger? On the touch screen, through the front end, or do you something else handling that?

**kelmk** · 03-21-2008, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by Si_g

This thread has a lot of good information. Nice choice of install.

Can you please describe the sound quality you are getting from this setup without having a head unit ? Are you able to control gain (bass) controls as well as mids and highs (treble) with the AMP?

Is upgrading from the stock HK amp really needed?

Also, how do you handle volume control, say when you need to take a phone call, or have a conversation with a passenger? On the touch screen, through the front end, or do you something else handling that?

Sounds quality is fine. Same as with the head unit. The HK speakers don't have a whole lot of mids though. I can adjust all the ranges with the Turtle Beach EQ. The line driver I'm using for my sub has it's own bass knob that I mounted beside the Space Navigator.

Volume control is all through software. Either with the touch screen, by turning the space navigator knob or soon with my steering wheel controls once I get my Fusion Brain.

**johnwest72** · 03-21-2008, 02:41 PM

I haven't made a final decision, but I've been looking at Centrafuse, especially now that mp3car.com is a reseller. I had been thinking Streetdeck, but Centrafuse is gaining momentum, and since it supports .net plugins (I'm a professional .net developer), I can create addons to my heart's content (to be fair, so can Streetdeck).

I say that because I'm hopeful it will let me make adjustments as needed to my sound. Also, it has a released plugin to control sound levels based on GPS speed. That's huge in my book.

Take a look...
http://www.fluxmedia.net/

John

**kelmk** · 03-21-2008, 02:45 PM

I have a full license of Centrafuse XLE with physical DVD that I could sell you for cheaper if they will allow me to do such a thing.

**kelmk** · 03-24-2008, 01:48 AM

I finally fixed my Space Navigator issue where my pc would not resume from standby 25% of the time. I ended up adding a relay on the usb power line which switches on ignition. This way it gets disconnected before the laptop enters standby and gets redetected when it resumes.

I also finally figured out a good place to mount the screen IR sensor and auto dim light sensor. I took apart the button bar under the AC controls which had two empty spaces. I drilled a couples holes in it and mounted the sensors. Looks pretty stock to me.