I Think Im Just Too Fussy

[Mikedav]

Been trawling dealers and Autotrader for a while now...I know what the car is like to drive so it comes down to spec but I think Im being too picky on options etc. Couple of questions...

1. Can Nav be retrofitted without ripping the entire interior out? How much?
2. Is the HK Stereo any good? I prefer the look of OEM look if possible.

[Shuriken]

As far as I'm aware Nav is absolute arse to retrofit and is not worth the hassle and I'm less sure about the stereo, I think it's alright if you're not very pick about your music.

Some of the E46 guys will be along to set it straight soon. :)

Shuriken.

[noodler]

Ive got HK and to be honest i think it is real good. When i have the sounds up it sounds nice and when i push the button on the dash it is like a concert effect and has a real crisp sound.

Much better than the standard system in my wifes vert.

[peppernick]

To retrofit the stock nav you need to rip out most of the interior and boot. Unless you really want the OEM look, I would just go aftermarket. So much more potential. Depending on who install the system, aftermarket can be made to look better than stock if you put some effort into it. Speak to ICECOLD, Andy fitted my speakers yesterday, lots of modifications on the inside but looks 100% stock from the outside.

Harman Kardon is good if you haven't experieced a reasonably installed budget aftermarket system that cost half that of HK from the factory. Even the most budget speakers and amps with a decent subwoofer will sound better than HK. If you are willing to cough up the equivalent HK money, you'll have a system that's much much better. Again, in the hands of a good installer, it'll look stock.

Have a look at Beemerboy's set up. you'll never have guessed that there's a control panel underneath the ashtray lid. Totally stealth and functional. With the lid down, your dash will look 100% stock ;)

[Mikedav]

Have a look at Beemerboy's set up. you'll never have guessed that there's a control panel underneath the ashtray lid. Totally stealth and functional. With the lid down, your dash will look 100% stock ;)

Thanks Peppernick once again! Now that I could live with, very, very nice. Thats in conjunction with OEM Nav right?

Its a shame Nav can't be retrofitted easily; In VW MKIVs it a straight swap for the stock HU. I assume there is the dash screen and a control unit for the boot, anything else? And is there anyone who supplies it other than BMW?.

Im just curious as the cars I can find with Nav are usually auto or SSG and I want a manual!

[peppernick]

Amalgamating factory system with aftermarket is always a bad idea. Too much interference. JL Audio brought out the CleanSweep processor that is supposed to filter out the crap but they are not tried and tested as yet.

You can run 2 separate systems. Aftermarket for music (ie: differencet headunit, amps and speakers) and stock factory navigation. You will need to purchase an extra speaker for the voice navigation as the door speakers will be independant of the stock system. You'll also loose the automatic mute for music when the navi cuts in.

I've just ripped out all my stock navi components in favour of an aftermarket system because I want to unleash the potential :D .....I'm also pretty mad :D :D

[Mikedav]

LOL Im sure itll be worth it though!

By the sounds of things, if I want OEM Nav I need to find a car with it then. And manual Estoril Blue Clubsports with Nav are nigh on non existent...

I will cross the HK off my 'must have' list though, sounds like I would be much better off with aftermarket. Has anyone here had a go at a custom screen for the dash? A few years ago I saw some on US forums - they looked fantastic but can't find them now

EDIT: Found one!

http://www.mybimmer.net/images/carpclcd.jpg

[Mikedav]

Ok found the guy, hes still at it by the looks of things

This guy makes the required frames - bloody pricey at £150 a pop, but quality looks good and it can be used with a Xenarc touch screen - wouldn't need an OEM Nav equipped car. Could be very interesting teamed up to aftermarket ICE and Nav software...what do you think?

http://www.mybimmer.net/myimages/DSC02404.JPG (Big)

[peppernick]

Has anyone here had a go at a custom screen for the dash?
Watch this space ;) There's nothing Andy of ICECOLD can't do when it comes to ICE [cool

[Mikedav]

Sounds good to me :)

I have definetly decided I would like to do this, so I no longer need an OEM Nav car or HK - sweet.

http://people.freenet.de/optixxx/Xenarc_VI.jpg

[adood84]

isn't that the guy that has a full pc in his boot?

[Mikedav]

Yeah it is, full Carputer I think

[Chaos]

I've got a mate with a laptop built into his jeep and the screen up front. Did pretty much all the base work himself and just got the wiring done professionally. It's not close to IceCold standard but it's fairly impressive and there's no end to the fun you can have with a full PC in the dash. ;)

[fireman]

Top tunes :cool: [cool

[330-Singh]

MikeDav - You need to be fussy mate. But from my experience don't worry about the HK set up. I am not really impressed with it. If you are used to the standard bmw/vw etc stereo's then this will be a pretty good upgrade.

But if you are like me and came from a car with a fully fledged set up in it then its not really anything to write home about!

Even the SatNav is a nice touch but definately not a necessity.

I would try make sure you get the following: Heated seats and folding mirrors.

Good Luck with your search....

[Raj]

Firstly, OEM sat nav can be retrofitted but as usual will cost (depending upon what you want). Doc_Matt has had OEM Sat Nav fitted by a chap called Navman (I think thats right). All OEM parts and I believe it didn't take that long. PM him for full details (or I think there was a thread in the Mobile Electronics section).
As for the HK setup, not a necessity, and personally I think you could just upgrade the standard stuff with better aftermarket items.
Just find yourself a Clubsport and mod the rest to suit ;) .

[danch]

Navman is the guy you want to contact, he can retrofit the satnav in 2 hours and costs abotu £1350 all in if you go to him.

He can come to you at a pound a mile and fit it at work/home etc.

This is the route I am taking when I save up the money. [cool

Cheers

Daniel

[lee330sport]

Navman is the guy you want to contact, he can retrofit the satnav in 2 hours and costs abotu £1350 all in if you go to him.

He can come to you at a pound a mile and fit it at work/home etc.

This is the route I am taking when I save up the money. [cool

Cheers

Daniel
£1 a mile! Whats he drive a maybach?

£1350 is a good price though, but for that i would go aftermarket, at least you can take it with you to your next car. SatNav only adds to the sale ability, not value.

[danch]

I am going for the bmw kit because of the OEM fit and looks in place, although I do want 2 screens in the headrests for the kids so they can watch DVD's / Play playstation aswell.

Cheers

Daniel

[Chaos]

£1 a mile! Whats he drive a maybach?/derail

What Car official running costs for an E46 M3 Coupe = £1.03 p/m... Scary innit? ;)

/rerail

£1350 is a very good price indeed, but Lee is totally right about adding to the ease of sale rather than value. You'll ge a little back possibly, but nowhere near the full whack. That said, if you keep the car for a while, you get all the OEM functionality in a very tidy and 'official' package.

[K3V HA]

Mmm, i was thinkin about having BMW sat nav fitted, but this post has got me thinkin. I currently have a Pioneer AVH 6500 dvd touch screen head unit, but thought that this will ruin the look of the dash? Anyone got any pics of fold out screens etc in a E46?

[Afif]

Kev check out Fas's one.

http://sankeys.demon.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2051

[BigFas]

Cheers Afif.

Remember, I have the Alpine RR with the red illumination which makes it integrate just that little bit better in the dash. No idea what colour the button illuminates on the Pioneer units

[danch]

£1350 is a very good price indeed, but Lee is totally right about adding to the ease of sale rather than value. You'll ge a little back possibly, but nowhere near the full whack. That said, if you keep the car for a while, you get all the OEM functionality in a very tidy and 'official' package.

That is what I am after as I only got the car about 4 weeks ago and have been sworn by wife that I have to keep it for at least 2 years before contemplating a M3.

And I want to keep it all looking OEM aswell, I know you could get a fair bit more for the price.

Cheers

Daniel

[Matt H330]

Mike

What was wrong with the one at Berkshire BMW? Did you not fancy it?

[Mikedav]

Mike
What was wrong with the one at Berkshire BMW? Did you not fancy it?

He wouldn't drop the price enough for my liking... car was good if a bit short on toys, but Glasses on it was £19,500 retail and he wants £20994. He wasn't interested in doing a deal and was down right rude on the phone so I walked. A shame as its only up the road!


Just find yourself a Clubsport and mod the rest to suit ;) .

Im trying! So far the ones Ive looked at either have no options, are SSG or too many miles for the price they are asking. I found a nice 17k miler in Estoril, black leather, 52 with Xenons and HK for £19950 but it sold before I got to it :(. There is a PERFECT CS on Autotrader - 27k, Nav, £20k and manual - but its silver and I want Estoril - see, fussy bugger! There is also a bargain 52 reg in Estoril for only £18k, but its SSG...


£1350 is a good price though, but for that i would go aftermarket

Have to agree, £1350 may be a fair price but its quite a bit of wedge. Think Il either buy a car with Nav fitted or go custom for that money, rather than retrofit.

[Matt H330]

Was it Joel you were dealing with by any chance?

I have found him to be rude but I did get a good deal. He did try to fob me off with stuff, but in the end he had to admit that I knew more about the car than he did and he got stuff done for me.

My car was up for less than the going rate, and even tho I paid the screen price, I got a load of stuff done on it for nothing, plus warrantee etc etc.

I can't see why they have it at over book. I would expect that as it has been there a little while now they may do something on the price.

[Mikedav]

I can't see why they have it at over book. I would expect that as it has been there a little while now they may do something on the price.

Yeah you are right, its been there for a few weeks now. Might have another chat, he probably won't remember me! Glasses Guide for 02(02) retail £19575 with 34,000 miles, got to be some movement in it.

[Raj]

If it is still there mate then try your best. Iam sure they will be willing to negotiate. If not then sod 'em. The right one will be out there and you will get her when it's time (damn, that is heavy [read )

[Mikedav]

If it is still there mate then try your best. Iam sure they will be willing to negotiate. If not then sod 'em. The right one will be out there and you will get her when it's time (damn, that is heavy [read )

LOL who thought buying a car could be so deep eh?! :)

[Raj]

Fate will bring you and your new car together and that bond will be eternal (except when you chop 'em in for a new one :D ) I'll get me coat :p

[Shuriken]

~hands Raj his coat~ ;)

If theres a particular spec you want then wait until you get it, there is no point in getting something else and then not liking it a month later. You will find your car, just bide your time. :)

Shuriken.