BMW 735 Car PC

**korowetere** · 09-29-2004, 04:22 AM

Hi all,

Thanks mostly to the superb resource this site is, I have installed my Car PC!

Car:
1989 BMW 735il. 3.5L 6-cyl Automatic with 120,000kms on the clock.

PC:
I have an Athlon 1.4ghz system gathering dust since I upgraded to an Athlon64 so I used that.
- 1.4ghz CPU
- 40GB Seagate HD
- GeForce4 64mb graphics
- USB 2.0 card
- Onboard sound
- Custom plywood case
- 802.11b Wireless

Display
- Lilliput VGA touchscreen mounted in the open space in front of the shifter.

GPS
- USB GPS Mouse mounted on the rear parcel shelf.

Power
- 300watt Inverter with on/off switch up front

Software
- Windows XP pro
- OZIExplorer for Roadmaps. There is no routing software available for New Zealand

- MediaCar (installed)
- Frodoplayer (testing)

Future Plans
- Bluetooth dongle for use with PhoneControl and for GPRS internet
- More permanent mounting for the screen

Again, without the help information available on this site, I would never have gotten this project off the ground!

**korowetere** · 09-29-2004, 04:32 AM

Sorry about the power cord in the boot photo! I was uploading a bunch of MP3's that day so was using mains power...

This photo shows the switch-box for the PC and inverter on/off switches. I've used CAT-5 cable to bring these up front. I will also put some LEDs in there for PC power and HDD activity when I get a chance.

[IMG]

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**Enforcer** · 09-29-2004, 04:35 AM

Nice!.

Now you have done the Basics. time to make it OEM.

That big space just behind the monitor, is dying for some fabrication.

**korowetere** · 09-29-2004, 04:39 AM

yep, you're right.

I've been toying with the idea of constructing a wooden housing to fit the screen into, which would then be varnished to match the existing wood trim.

The thing is, I don't want to hack into the car much more than I already have, so I might have to be a bit creative with that. I kinda like the idea of having the screen removable...