Thread: '03 BMW 325xi RR No HU Factory AMP 95% complete

Since your car is similar to my compact I will follow this thread with interest.

Aspecially if you do go Linux :-)

Q's->
Is the tuner XM?
Are you keeping the HK poweramp?
Do you really need the dfx?
You realize there is a frame replacement at bmw for clima relocation (50$ or so)?
You've desided not to buy the ready made bezel for 7'?

Q's->
Is the tuner XM? ---The tuner is High Def FM/AM. No satellite.
Are you keeping the HK poweramp? ---Yes, I thought it was most cost effective to keep it.
Do you really need the dfx? ---You mean spending cpu cycles? I like Dfx, and cpu doesnt seem to hit the roof..
You realize there is a frame replacement at bmw for clima relocation (50$ or so)? ---Umm, I thought that's what I used to relocate it. Are you talking about something different?
You've desided not to buy the ready made bezel for 7'? ---I chose to fabricate my bezel after looking at pictures of the bezels on the market already. I held up my touchscreen in my car on a sunny day, and figured that I want to recess that screen as much as I can manage. The bezels I see don't recess enough. I am trying for a 1" recess to provide shade for the screen. But, I haven't finished the bezel yet, and it is definitely more difficult than I initially thought. So I still may go with the mybimmer bezel if I fail at this one.

-MB

bes51659
This ready made bezel for the 7'... Is this a Double din BMW made part that would fit the 7" touchscreen in my E46 dash?
Thanks,
MB

So here is the progress of the bezel fabrication. I started out with spray foam. This looked good, until the foam dried and was very poor at holding it's shape. I later found that the foam made by DOW called "Great Stuff" is more rigid, so I bought a can of that. My problem may be that I am not using the front plate off of the lilliput in the foam mold to support it. The Great Stuff held it's shape well while it set up, and didn't fall off the top lip, but it did start to shrink after being trimmed down to size. So I've put it back in the car, and sprayed around the edges where it has shrunk. Ran out of Great Stuff foam and used the rest of the white stuff that didnt work so well.



I may be starting over on the bezel...

Not made by BMW even if the price suggest it would ;-)
http://www.janus-design.net/english/...edin/index.php

Im doing a very similar instal In my 03 325i. My parts are not all here yet but should be by the end of the week. Im kinda dreading the dash mold considerin the time it takes. keep pics posted on your progress. Im gona try doing an 8" lilliput. if it dont work ill revert back to the 7".

So I ditched the foam method of making a mold. Foam kept shrinking.. I am using cardboard and glue. I applied kitty-hair (bondo-glass) right over the top of the cardboard. I am thinking that I will soak it in warm water once it is set up to remove the cardboard.


I may have put too little creme hardener in-- it has been setting overnight and still not completely hard. Although it is hardening up.
-MB

http://www.shopmaninc.com/foam.html
this is the foam you should have used. Its extremly rigid and will not flex or loose its shape. little expensive and extremely messy. but it works great and expands fast and sets up in like 30 mins. I used it on my back deck install....


my idea is to use a aftermarket single din stereo kit to work off of. it gives a good base and has the line that goes from side to side already cut in, as well as the mounting tabs. That way i mostly only have to build the bottom area from scatch. For around 15 bucs it will hopefully save some headaches.

So here is the kitty-hair (long and strong) fiberglass solution I ended up with for the dash bezel.