BMW Z3 Trunk

Conundrum · 10-13-2003, 10:06 PM

I recently bought a Bmw Z3 roadster and installed an alpine multimedia head unit into it. I have a pc I'd like to install into it however I don't particularly like the idea of storing it in the cab. not to mention theres almost no room for it. I'd like to know if anyone has done any trunk installations in the z3. It looks to me like theres 2 places where wires can go between the trunk and the cab but the space in them is very limited. I only need to run the rca cables forward for sound and video, I can get power off the battery or the cd changer cables. Any help would be greatly appreciated

SiGmA_X · 10-14-2003, 10:52 AM

No one (AFAIK) has done a complete Z3 install, but I know there is one guy on here with a Z3M who was talking about putting an LCD in the steering wheel.. If I were you, I would put the computer itself in the trunk, in a small case.. You can custom make one that fits it properly, for what you want. I am sure you can do it, but you will for sure loose some trunk space, and 5 cubic-feet to start with isn't much

Best of luck!

chut · 10-14-2003, 11:24 AM

Hi!

I drive a 2000 M Roadster....so similair to the Z3 that it makes little difference. I passed all the necessary wiring through the area underneath the roof when it's lowered. The laptop will be mounted to the trunk lid. (inside of course) along with the Extigy. I say "will be" because I have fitted everything, I just haven't installed all of it yet. The amp is on the back wall of the trunk, the XM radio tuner was mounted right next to it. If you haven't done so yet, pull down the interior carpeting against the back wall of the trunk and look at the topof that section. There is plenty of room to pass RCA wires that you can then route under the SUB if equipped, through the center console up to the dash. Or drop down behind the seats to the floor of the cab. Do you have electric seats? If using a laptop and don't have the electric seats, I bet there is plenty of room under the seats.

Let me know if there is anything else I can answer for you. Is the monitor part of the head unit? Mine is in the dash in place of the head unit. When I finish the installation I will have pictures but haven't even begun to take them yet.

Peter

Conundrum · 10-14-2003, 12:15 PM

The monitor is in place of the head unit. I'm actually doing something very similar to you. I'm planning on using a Sony vaio running Linux as the computer. with an extigy to provide me with the mic port, and a little better audio than the vaios sound card could.

chut · 10-14-2003, 01:01 PM

Good Deal, but I think I'll use the line in port rather than the mic. I believe that the mic in may be only mono. But not sure about that. I have to fix VAIO's at work, I hate 'em. Go Thinkpad! What do you think of mounting on the inside of the trunk lid?

cafn8 · 10-14-2003, 01:23 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by chut

Good Deal, but I think I'll use the line in port rather than the mic. I believe that the mic in may be only mono. But not sure about that. I have to fix VAIO's at work, I hate 'em. Go Thinkpad! What do you think of mounting on the inside of the trunk lid?

Seems like you'd really have to be careful how hard you close the trunk lid.

chut · 10-14-2003, 01:38 PM

Nawww...
You don't have to even push it very much to close it tight...

cafn8 · 10-14-2003, 02:05 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by chut

Nawww...
You don't have to even push it very much to close it tight...

OK then. So as long as the trunk springs are stout enough to keep it from sagging when open (that could be annoying) it doesn't seem like a problem.

Just dont let any slammers close your trunk. You know the people. Every door on their car needs a hard shove to close so they give your doors a nice hard heave too.

chut · 10-14-2003, 02:13 PM

That would suck. When the trunk lid is open, it is sorta leaned back towards the rear window. I don't anticipate any problems with this install.

kurtm · 01-10-2004, 10:10 PM

I'm installing the 7"lcd touchscreen in my Z3 Steering wheel.
I also have a alpine 7"lcd indash head unit relplacing my factory deck.
I've taken out the sub between the seats and am also installing a xenarc car pc in place of the factory sub.

One question I do have though is how did you get the extigy to stop the terrible buzzing noise, as soon as I plug it in it Makes a real bad buzz.

Good luck and keep us posted of your progress, I'm very interested

Kurt

chut · 01-10-2004, 11:45 PM

Hi!
What did you replace the 6.5" sub with, if I may ask....I'm not getting much sound from the 10" in my trunk. Oh yeah, I drive an MRoadster.....

Quote: Originally Posted by kurtm

I'm installing the 7"lcd touchscreen in my Z3 Steering wheel.
I also have a alpine 7"lcd indash head unit relplacing my factory deck.
I've taken out the sub between the seats and am also installing a xenarc car pc in place of the factory sub.

One question I do have though is how did you get the extigy to stop the terrible buzzing noise, as soon as I plug it in it Makes a real bad buzz.

Good luck and keep us posted of your progress, I'm very interested

Kurt

kurtm · 01-12-2004, 06:52 PM

I have a 10" Focal sub in the trunk as well, With the top Down I seem to get descent sound however it does kind of suck for what I paid for the system.
I was going to custom install it behind the seat but the gas tank is right behind the seat so that was out

I've talk to a few others who have done stereo upgrades in Z3's and they've found best sound with upgrading the factory speakers

Hope that helps.

Quote: Originally Posted by chut

Hi!
What did you replace the 6.5" sub with, if I may ask....I'm not getting much sound from the 10" in my trunk. Oh yeah, I drive an MRoadster.....

Awol][ · 01-13-2004, 09:36 AM

I have done a complete Z3 setup. There are 2 places to get to the trunk.

You need to remove the liner behind the seat. On the driver side of the back you will have an access hole for wires. If you need power the battery is located in the trunk as well as the amp for the BMW system. The other location is where the amp is passenger side in the trunk on the wheel well.

One word of warning if you replaced the standard amp with something well more powerful and you live in a place where it gets hot your computer will overheat. The Z3 trunk is for the most part sealed and heat has no where to go. I know this from experience.

chut · 01-13-2004, 09:51 AM

thats helpful. I already found the set of holes that pass under the roof when it is open and the holes under the liner. But, I didn't know about the heat issue. I'll just have to see what happens as I live in southern texas and yea, you could say that it gets hot in the summer and the winter too! I have a secondary mounting spot, right between the two rollbars. On the center hump. I can use that too, but didn't want to, we'll see.

chut · 01-13-2004, 10:38 AM

yea, it does, thank you. that's what I decided to do also, but I am having trouble finding a 6.5" sub that can handle 200 watts. That's what my current amp does for the fifth channel. I am now thinking of maybe selling that amp and purchasing a smaller, less powerful amp for the car. Or moving it to my pickup. Finding 5.25 and 4" speakers to handle the 150 watts RMS that the rest of the channels output has been a pain in the arse also!

Quote: Originally Posted by kurtm

I have a 10" Focal sub in the trunk as well, With the top Down I seem to get descent sound however it does kind of suck for what I paid for the system.
I was going to custom install it behind the seat but the gas tank is right behind the seat so that was out

I've talk to a few others who have done stereo upgrades in Z3's and they've found best sound with upgrading the factory speakers

Hope that helps.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password