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

Originally Posted by JuBu

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.

what, don't you want your fair share of the phantom "brake light circuit failure" messages??

i do use the OBC just enough to make it worth keeping around - heat shrink tubing will become my friend..........

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

just my .02 cents, but it might be just as easy to remove the OBC and place the climate controls in the old OBC location and then place your gauges in the sunglass tray. i suggest this simply because there are kits already available that mount the gauges in that spot.....

jubu is right, you would have to fabricate a trim ring to fit around the climate controls since they are rounded to fit the curve of the dash....i had originally considered this route but was concerned that a screen might not fit in the top opening due to the rounded bottom corners....

Originally Posted by Jalli

How much did it cost? How much can I pay you to do it to my 03 325i? How did you get the screen to stay in place down there?

i can't speak for anyone else, but wouldn't it be more fun to do it yourself?? j/k...

i believe the 03 has more dash room than the e36 so you can actually put quite a nice screen in there....

as to getting it to stay, i'm not sure what jubu did but there are many options ranging from glues and adhesives to headrest shrouds and such to essentially lock the screen in place....for the most part, placing the screen is much like putting a picture in a frame....you mount the screen in a frame of some type and then somehow attach the two together....

Jubu,

I have a 95 325 and I really want to do this set up.. can I get some technical info , what kind of screen, power supply, how you did your wiring. I have 24 button OBC above the sunglasses holder.. I wouldnt mind removing that or moving it somewhere else.. What kind of computer do you have.. I can built computers so I can get parts cheap.. Just need some technical info..

I would really apreciate it

Thanks a lot

Alex

Originally Posted by vearl21

Jubu,

I have a 95 325 and I really want to do this set up.. can I get some technical info , what kind of screen, power supply, how you did your wiring. I have 24 button OBC above the sunglasses holder.. I wouldnt mind removing that or moving it somewhere else.. What kind of computer do you have.. I can built computers so I can get parts cheap.. Just need some technical info..

I would really apreciate it

Thanks a lot

Alex

Alex,

It seems like you're gonna do an in-car PC, but unfortunately, I did not go the PC route--I only have a DVD/VCD/etc. player hooked up to my screen.

The screen I used is a 7" Farenheit widescreen (I believe all the Farenheit 7" screens have the same dimensions). I used the headrest frame/shroud included with the screen and it fits very well with some minor cutting in the OBC/sunglass tray area..

The DVD and monitor are hooked up to 12V BOSCH relay, which is triggered by the ACC 12V+ wire (purple/white wire) in the stock radio wiring harness. The 12V+ feed is provided by the cigarette lighter wire and the DVD and screen is then connected to that. This way, the power is only on when the car is on.

Thanks for your information..
Yeah I want to do the PC.. I have been looking at it for a while but never had the opportunity and now the car is mine and paid off I can do it...

I guess the ACC wire from the stereo is the remote wire?

I have the bentley manual I guess i can look up to find out

Thanks for you for your help...

How much was the screen if you dont mind me asking

Thanks again

Originally Posted by vearl21

Thanks for your information..
Yeah I want to do the PC.. I have been looking at it for a while but never had the opportunity and now the car is mine and paid off I can do it...

I guess the ACC wire from the stereo is the remote wire?

I have the bentley manual I guess i can look up to find out

Thanks for you for your help...

How much was the screen if you dont mind me asking

Thanks again

The ACC 12V+ wire is not the remote wire -- I think. Well, regardless of what it is, it's purple and white -- all purple/white wires in the car are turned on and off witht he ignition.

I bought the screen EXTREMELY cheap b/c I was lucky and found someone who just wanted to get ride of it...it was new too....But they usually go for around $300 to $400.

are you on bimmerforums? your car looks familiar.

Originally Posted by Jamesr316

are you on bimmerforums? your car looks familiar.

Yup...Same username on BimmerForums.com...