Remote mount headunit faceplate

[surfatwork]

Andy,

My alpine headunit (CDA-7876RB) is in the glovebox (because I have a 7" touch screen in place of the HU in the dash). I think I saw a couple of pics here where the HU faceplate is in the ash tray - I assume that the main HU is elsewhere, connected to the faceplate via some custom extension cable. That would suit me perfectly - any chance you could help out?
dont know if I can afford you - but I suppose that depends. in any case, any input from you or anybody else on how to proceed is much appreciated.

[BigFas]

PM Andy, he's mad busy and doesn't check the forums as often as he likes.

this is definitely do-able and the price is very competitive. Andy typically puts the head-unit under the passenger seat with an extended cable running into the sunglasses holder

[330ci Convertible]

Have you got any pics that you can post showing your touchscreeen installed, I want to see what it looks like?

[surfatwork]

will do. been a bit busy.

[Icecold]

hey dude,
i just sent you a pm so hope that helps.

[surfatwork]

thanks, Andy. will have to save for a bit then...broke after the pc :(

here's a picture of my dash - somebody asked for it earlier.
http://show.imagehosting.us/show/729082/0/nouser_729/T0_-1_729082.jpg

I got the bezel from Germany. chap called Chris, goes by the name of Janus on mp3car.com forums. PC under the boot floor in a custom plexi box. does gps, mp3 (et al), video, mobile phone control (via bluetooth) and everything else a pc can.

[MistaSmiff]

f f f f f fck! :eek: , dude, you need to do a write up on how you installed that!

[330ci Convertible]

That looks excellent, didn't realize you had a pc set up, I second the write up.[cool

[surfatwork]

thanks.
I havent done a proper write-up but there is loads of information available at www.mp3car.com and www.digital-car.co.uk (look in the forums). A retailer for almost everything you need for the car pc is www.linitx.co.uk.

In summary,

1. Assemble a PC / buy one. You do not need a lot of processing power. I use a VIA Itx MII 12000, 256MB RAM, 80G HDD, XP
2. Either buy a small itx case or make a custom plexi one (I did the latter)
3. Buy a DC-DC power supply (best ones are opus. M1-ATX is also reported to be good) - instructions to wire it up are avl. online
3.5 Use velcro to fix down the PC and the Power supply in the boot well. We are going to use the PS 12V output to power the screen.
4. Buy a touchscreen (common brands are Xenarc, Lilliput and Linitx)
5. Take out boot trim on right side, rear seat and rear seat back (they all just pull out - see the haynes manual for detail)
6. Feed 12V power, 5V power, earth, VGA, USB and audio line-out cables through the hole on top right to back of rear seat
7. Feed cables to front under the rear door sill (trim pulls out), behind base of B-pillar, under driver seat, into centre console into the space around the gear lever.
8. Take out OEM HU (lots of instructions avl. online). Connect ISO adaptor for your aftermarket HU. Relocate HU connector/cables to glovebox. You dont need to cut anything - there is space at the top right for the cables to come into the glovebox. Fix HU in glovebox and connect audio line-out from PC to HU aux-in (i have just kept the HU in the glovebox - its fairly snug, but you could do more esoteric stuff - like I plan to and some have on this forum)
9. Buy the dash trim from BMW (you need the trim which is used with the BMW OEM navigation unit because this allows the A/C controls to be relocated downwards). relocate a/c controls - which should give you a nice big open hole in the dash for the 7" screen.
10. Get Janus' bezel and fit the screen into it. Connect USB, 12Vpower and earth to screen.
11. Fit bezel/screen (you will need to cut off some bits of the OEN HU cage which will remain in the dash), boot up pc, install touch screen drivers (the drivers that come with the screen are probably rubbish, look on mp3car for the proper ones)
12. Download a front end (e.g. Roadrunner on mp3car) so you avoid interacting with Windows (success!!). load up the mp3s and enjoy.

Of course, you can now connect a GPS mouse, and get some navigation software - look on mp3car for a software called "mapmonkey".
If you do want to do this there is loads of help really. I dont think I have done anything extraordinary (relative to the guys who did this the first time around) - and there are some truly stunning installs on mp3car. do have a look. Also glad to help so either post or pm me.