Thread: 2003 E46 BMW 3 Series Ci Coupe UK Install Complete - custom dash/RR skin - many pics!

Nice install, and nice M-kit!
On my e46, I had the same problem with alternator whine. At the beginning I worked a lot on the RCA (same kind of things: only happens with the front + rear connected and not with only one them). At the end it was a power cable that was running to close of the oem speaker wires.

im very very impressed mate. well done!

I had used the same ground loop isolator and that worked for me perfectly. I have a different audio layout. I use my OEM radio aux input to coonnect audio signal from the carpc. I put ground loop isolator between carpc and OEM radio. I hope you will fix the problem.
Great job. Congratulations

lloydy, thanks so much for your info and quick response. My Car has a HeadUnit (RadioCassete Player), so I guess that there is a plug behind it. I am in the beginning of my effort to build my CarPC, so E46 installs help me a lot.

P.S: I am a PhD student too.

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Hi lloydy

Congrats to your favorite setup, a very clean and structured install...and of course a long life of the custom dash bezel i sent you.


A small suggestion! Maybe press the bezel not so "depp" inside the dash board at the buttom. The bezel is designed to be flushed

nearly total with the borders of the dashboard. I recommend (mounting instruction) to fill the two adjustment holes at the backside with

some plasticine (see pictures below)...then you are able set the main angle of the bezel











Better position:









All the Best!


Regards Janus

Nice work - looks great. Question about velcroing the pc to the subwoofer - don't you think that's a bit dangerous for the pc components, what with the vibration you'll get? Seems like you're asking for a hard drive crash.

Can't wait to see your skin completed - I'm certainly not one to talk, mine's taking forever as well.

Absolutely Amazing. I'm just getting started to try and get myself a PC setup for my car, I'm only in the beginning stages doing reading and thinking about which way i want to go, but this is the best I've seen. Amazing.

@ Janus

I see what you're saying. Maybe I will do this sometime in the future. However, It looks fine now. When the head unit / AC controls were there before, they also were not flush with the dashboard - they were slightly depressed the same so I thought it was meant to be like that anyway. It looks absolutely fine.


@ Hark

I know what you're saying - I also thought this would be a problem and to be honest, the velcro was only going to be a temporary arrangement until I figured out something better. However, the velco is really heavy duty - it would stick your nan to the wall! But as far as vibration from the sub, there doesn't seem to be much. This is a strange scenario - items on the box itself (including ur hand if you place it on the box while it is thumping) don't seem to vibrate anywhere near as much as the other item in the boot NOT attached to it. For e.g. The amps and PC have minimal vibration, but my toolbox and number (license) plate shake like hell! So I actually think the PC has LESS vibration ON the box. I notice a similar thing with any sub: My sub the house is the same - a plant is on the box itself, however the cabinet next to the box almost falls apart!

I also think having the PC velcroed like that adds slightly extra suspension for when going over bumps etc, in comparison with it being hard screwed to the car. The velcro is VERY convenient when I need to remove the equipment - say if I'm leaving my car somewhere dodgey overnight or at a length of time, or if I need to get at the spare!

But like you, I'm still dubious. I have done 2000 miles so far over London's bumpiest roads and on long motorway trips and it's been fine 100% to my amazment - not even a random reboot.

Excuse my rambilng!



LLOYDY

Wow, very nice install and very nice car. I love how these screens fit in that area perfectly. Also very interested in that skin when you get to release it.

Question: Can you go through some details of how you got PowerDVD to embed so nicely? (I'm assuming it's embeded nicely.... )