Not a PC, but a multimedia install in my '97 BMW 328i...

**JuBu** · 04-06-2004, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by gork

JuBu: good to see you over from bimmerforums

Good looking install. I was planning something similar on my E36 328 before I wrecked it :-/ then had to go for the full carpc in the E46!

One time someone was going to drive my 328 and they roll down the window and say "I can't put it in reverse" -- you gotta push really hard. I don't even think the car would tolerate you even trying to put it in reverse if you were going a decent speed. The SMG on my M3 flat out locks it out above 5mph -- not that it would shift it in there anyway..

Gork,

Thanks for the kind words...I didn't know you were on Bimmerforums, but it's glad to see a fellow Bimmerhead here...

For all of you wondering where my pics are, I took them down so here are some new ones. I've actually gone back to the stock headunit as I like the stock look more...the sound isn't as good though

.

I've done a little customization to make the headunit pick up the TV audio when in casette mode. Who still uses a casette nowadays anyway?

Gork, you wouldn't happen to know how to change the text on my headunit to make it say something other than TAPE A would you? I know you've worked all that magic on your E46...how about my E36?

**gork** · 04-06-2004, 08:26 PM

JuBu: I don't think that you can write to that display in the E36, but I'll ask.. You sort of can do it in E46, but really it only works well on the 5 series... It's not just programmable, though. You'd have to have a microcontroller or something outputting to the display.

*Shrug* I know the E36 can't do it but it'd be nice just to have the clock show up there like you can do in the E46. I will see what I can find.

**JuBu** · 04-06-2004, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by gork

JuBu: I don't think that you can write to that display in the E36, but I'll ask.. You sort of can do it in E46, but really it only works well on the 5 series... It's not just programmable, though. You'd have to have a microcontroller or something outputting to the display.

*Shrug* I know the E36 can't do it but it'd be nice just to have the clock show up there like you can do in the E46. I will see what I can find.

Yea, the clock would be awesome! I totally forgot about how I lost my clock since I got rid of the OBC.

One more thing: could you let me know where you got your stuff for the reverse camera install? I'd like to do one on my car as well. A hole in the rear bumper molding would be perfect to hide it.

Thanks.

**gork** · 04-06-2004, 11:49 PM

I got a little cam from digitalww and built an assembly for it.. I'll have some photos and a description of what I did up in a week or two.. It wasn't that hard..

**shadowpuck** · 04-20-2004, 09:22 PM

gork, jubu - good to see some fellow bimmerforums guys over here being crazy....

jubu - i've got a '95 325is that i've been contemplating a carpc install for quite some time...i'm planning on placing my monitor in the same spot you did....any surprises or catches i might not be aware of? it looks like you might have had to hack off part of the moulding that has the cig lighter and stuff....

also, did you actually relocate or just remove your OBC? i actually use mine enough that i'm considering moving it to the spot where my head unit currently resides.... i'm assuming that all that would involve is probably extending the OBC wires....

that's a really slick install - same with gork's....i'm still marveling over the slim drive in the headliner....that's amazing....

**JuBu** · 04-21-2004, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by shadowpuck

gork, jubu - good to see some fellow bimmerforums guys over here being crazy....

jubu - i've got a '95 325is that i've been contemplating a carpc install for quite some time...i'm planning on placing my monitor in the same spot you did....any surprises or catches i might not be aware of? it looks like you might have had to hack off part of the moulding that has the cig lighter and stuff....

also, did you actually relocate or just remove your OBC? i actually use mine enough that i'm considering moving it to the spot where my head unit currently resides.... i'm assuming that all that would involve is probably extending the OBC wires....

that's a really slick install - same with gork's....i'm still marveling over the slim drive in the headliner....that's amazing....

Thanks shadowpuck--it is nice to see some BF.C guys over here too...

The monitor install was very straightforward and NO surprises. All you gotta do is trim the cigarette lighter frame/plate EXACTLY where that impressed line in it is. It's basically like they're telling you exactly WHERE to cut.

My OBC is currently disconnected, but it should fit beautifully in the headunit location. All you need to do is extend the wires, which may seem easy, but actually will take a long time since there are SO MANY TINY wires! That's the only reason why I haven't done it yet. I just really don't feel like dealing with it, yet.

Good luck and let us know how your install goes!

**shadowpuck** · 04-21-2004, 08:01 PM

i've read some of the nightmare stories about the OBC wires...
about a year ago i finally got around to putting the keyless entry/alarm system in the car and i examined the wiring harness for the OBC....boy, they sure were stingy with that wiring....here you have what seems like hundreds of miles of wiring inside that car and we couldn't get another foot on the OBC???

alright, i feel better.....

**96infmsM3** · 04-21-2004, 11:39 PM

Hello bimmerforums guys! I'm planning on doing a carputer install in my 96 M3 soon only I plan on putting it in the top opening

(removing stock Head Unit and Relocating Climate Control to Sunglass Holder, removing OBC because I never use it, and putting in boost oil temp/oil press. guages where the OBC used to be).

Do any of you know anyone that's done this type of install in an E36? Pics perhaps?
There's nothing better than making the Ultimate Driving Machine just a little more 'ultimate'

.

Thanks,
Kyle

**JuBu** · 04-22-2004, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by shadowpuck

i've read some of the nightmare stories about the OBC wires...
about a year ago i finally got around to putting the keyless entry/alarm system in the car and i examined the wiring harness for the OBC....boy, they sure were stingy with that wiring....here you have what seems like hundreds of miles of wiring inside that car and we couldn't get another foot on the OBC???

alright, i feel better.....

Haha...so true...but it's all about cutting costs, right!? LOL.

The wires are so skinny too that make it more of a ***** to work with. Plus of course, there's about 50 million which just makes me dizzy thinking about extending them. For now, I really don't care, but I do miss knowing if I have a light out or the outside temp of course.

But the TV screen which took its place is OH so much more pimp.

**JuBu** · 04-22-2004, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by 96infmsM3

Hello bimmerforums guys! I'm planning on doing a carputer install in my 96 M3 soon only I plan on putting it in the top opening

(removing stock Head Unit and Relocating Climate Control to Sunglass Holder, removing OBC because I never use it, and putting in boost oil temp/oil press. guages where the OBC used to be).

Do any of you know anyone that's done this type of install in an E36? Pics perhaps?
There's nothing better than making the Ultimate Driving Machine just a little more 'ultimate'

.

Thanks,
Kyle

The only thing you'd have to fabricate is some sort of frame for the a/c unit since it's rounded at the bottom corners. Other than that, should be an easy fit. I don't know if you have even wire slack or if you need to extend them.

I know of many who put guages in places of the OBC, but I don't know of many who relocate the a/c controls to the obc area.