aftermarket Nav systems

Fen335i · 06-24-2010, 04:27 PM

Hi Guys - So, I finally finished "the deal" on a 2007 M Roadster today (wooohooo!). It's a great little car and is loaded with just about everything....except the factory nav system.

So, has anyone on this board installed an aftermarket nav system (flush mount into the dash) into these cars yet? I stopped by a car stereo place today to ask some questions and see what my options are...the only one they had was a motorized pop up Kenwood system...that was a DVD player/stereo/bluetooth/CD/iPod deck...it was nice but in order to add Nav to it you had to buy another module. So, the whole thing added up to about 1200-1300 bucks. It was pretty nice, but wasn't completely a flush mount like i was hoping for.

I think we are kind of limited with the lack of space there below the vents on the dash. The guy I talked with said you really can't fit a flush mount in that spot..

Fen335i · 06-28-2010, 12:06 PM

Lots of "views" here, but no responses...I guess no one has tried this yet (at least not on this board).

Rustycat · 06-28-2010, 12:18 PM

It's pretty tough to recommend anything other than a small portable, i.e., Garmin, etc.
The technology changes fast, so anything you buy will be outdated very soon.

Blind32 · 06-28-2010, 01:37 PM

Not worth it in my opinion. Use a iPhone or portable garmin or *gasp* paper map. Most of your driving will probably be around your local area so you will know your way.

Fen335i · 06-29-2010, 11:19 AM

Yea, I'm starting to think a cheapie garmin for under $200 is probably the way to go...spending 12-1300 bucks for some motorized nav system that doesn't even look that good doesn't seem worth it. If a "flush mount" was feasible, I might do it...but it doesn't appear that we have the room in these cars to do that.

Finnegan · 07-01-2010, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fen335i

Yea, I'm starting to think a cheapie garmin for under $200 is probably the way to go...spending 12-1300 bucks for some motorized nav system that doesn't even look that good doesn't seem worth it. If a "flush mount" was feasible, I might do it...but it doesn't appear that we have the room in these cars to do that.

Smart move. The Garmin works well and is easy to use. Way cheaper, and better than the factory Nav. (Factory system is meh, Garmin is much better--better than the 09 Idrive too if you ask me.)

blender · 07-01-2010, 11:24 PM

I wanted a non-visible removable mount for the GPS that did not involve the windshield suction cup. I bought a spare ashtray insert from a dealer and mounted a swivel base from Ram Mounts with a Garmin stub on it. It works great for a small GPS like the basic Nuuvi. A six-inch usb cable with a 12V plug completes the package.

Everything comes out and stows in the center console when I park. Not flush-mount but usable. I tried the Garmin visor clip, but disliked driving with a lowered passenger visor, plus the power cabling got annoying. A flush-mount within the visor might be possible for a thin-bodied GPS like the Nuuvi if someone had a visor to sacrifice for development.

Attachment 403542

Attachment 403541

psygnosis · 07-02-2010, 01:56 PM

If you really want in dash, the OEM nav, as old as it is, will probably look the best. But you're probably better of with a phone or garmin of some sort. Bonus if you have the wood trim, chances are a suction cup would stick to that no problem.

ShakyDog · 07-02-2010, 10:33 PM

Now there is something I can use :-)

I may have to get another ashtray and experiment...

Thanks,
Steve

Fen335i · 07-07-2010, 10:16 AM

yea, I love the ashtray setup! Nice work!

hummarz · 07-15-2010, 01:35 AM

I got the Clarion NZ500 installed in my car and I love it. I got it modded to be able to play dvds and video from my ipod while im driving. It has NAV built in.

3002 tii · 07-15-2010, 10:07 AM

not a fan of custom trim pieces for non-standard din units. i have the oem navi and i hate how it looks like something from 10 years ago. get a garmin, thats what i use in my daily... the new widescreens are pretty thin.

MikeRua · 07-27-2010, 10:56 PM

I got the Tom Tom Wide...fits nice in the right windsceen corner (right hand drive), but I would love to install the original one to keep her stock, where would one find a second hand unit.

Shereef_Osman · 07-27-2010, 11:42 PM

Been reading lots and lots of great information on this forum for a while and thought it was about time I start to contribute, so here is my first post, a picture of my dash.

hummarz · 07-28-2010, 03:31 AM

Shereef_Osman can you state some information on what you did? It seems like you took out your center vents and had a custom double din housing made and instalelled a pioneer head unit...The secondary screen on top looks like its running windows or mac? from a laptop?

MikeRua · 07-28-2010, 06:35 AM

Interesting setup Shereef_Osman....give us some more info please.

Shereef_Osman · 07-28-2010, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hummarz

Shereef_Osman can you state some information on what you did? It seems like you took out your center vents and had a custom double din housing made and instalelled a pioneer head unit...The secondary screen on top looks like its running windows or mac? from a laptop?

I would love to say I did all the work, lol, but no Matt @ Defined Designs here in Toronto did everything. The vents were blocked off from the inside and then a custom plate was made to house the AVIC-Z110 and my iPhone. Up top is a Xenarc 7" LCD connected to a Mac Mini mounted in the trunk. I'll have to take some more pictures to show you guys where it is mounted, but my whole trunk was rebuilt, couldn't stand all the rattles and all the plastic in the trunk.

VMZ432 · 09-19-2010, 07:17 AM

Wow! This is great! Kudos!!

Spaceman Spiff · 09-20-2010, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

not a fan of custom trim pieces for non-standard din units. i have the oem navi and i hate how it looks like something from 10 years ago. get a garmin, thats what i use in my daily... the new widescreens are pretty thin.

There's actually a brushed aluminum BMW part for that. I can't find it in my records but I know they have it.

acvr4 · 09-21-2010, 08:41 AM

Anyone know if you could retro fit the new Navigation to our car? I have a feeling probably not due to cost.

prophetx2 · 09-21-2010, 10:00 AM

i installed a aftermarket nav, search for my posts i document all the procedures. It's not a cheap or fast endevour, but an easy diy.

Spaceman Spiff · 09-21-2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acvr4

Anyone know if you could retro fit the new Navigation to our car? I have a feeling probably not due to cost.

No because it's not iBus compatible. I think you COULD theoretically do it but it's probably be more cost efficient to just buy the new Z.

06-24-2010, 04:27 PM	#1
Fen335i Captain 107 Rep 805 Posts Drives: e92 M3 / X5d / Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest iTrader: (0)	aftermarket Nav systems Hi Guys - So, I finally finished "the deal" on a 2007 M Roadster today (wooohooo!). It's a great little car and is loaded with just about everything....except the factory nav system. So, has anyone on this board installed an aftermarket nav system (flush mount into the dash) into these cars yet? I stopped by a car stereo place today to ask some questions and see what my options are...the only one they had was a motorized pop up Kenwood system...that was a DVD player/stereo/bluetooth/CD/iPod deck...it was nice but in order to add Nav to it you had to buy another module. So, the whole thing added up to about 1200-1300 bucks. It was pretty nice, but wasn't completely a flush mount like i was hoping for. I think we are kind of limited with the lack of space there below the vents on the dash. The guy I talked with said you really can't fit a flush mount in that spot..
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06-28-2010, 12:06 PM	#2
Fen335i Captain 107 Rep 805 Posts Drives: e92 M3 / X5d / Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest iTrader: (0)	Lots of "views" here, but no responses...I guess no one has tried this yet (at least not on this board).
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06-28-2010, 12:18 PM	#3
Rustycat Private First Class 17 Rep 141 Posts Drives: z4mc Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	It's pretty tough to recommend anything other than a small portable, i.e., Garmin, etc. The technology changes fast, so anything you buy will be outdated very soon.
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06-28-2010, 01:37 PM	#4
Blind32 Certified Adrenaline Junkie 41 Rep 1,325 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas TX iTrader: (2)	Not worth it in my opinion. Use a iPhone or portable garmin or gasp paper map. Most of your driving will probably be around your local area so you will know your way.
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06-29-2010, 11:19 AM	#5
Fen335i Captain 107 Rep 805 Posts Drives: e92 M3 / X5d / Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest iTrader: (0)	Yea, I'm starting to think a cheapie garmin for under $200 is probably the way to go...spending 12-1300 bucks for some motorized nav system that doesn't even look that good doesn't seem worth it. If a "flush mount" was feasible, I might do it...but it doesn't appear that we have the room in these cars to do that.
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07-01-2010, 11:24 PM	#7
blender Custom User Title 141 Rep 661 Posts Drives: black Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: n iTrader: (0)	Garmin ashtray mount I wanted a non-visible removable mount for the GPS that did not involve the windshield suction cup. I bought a spare ashtray insert from a dealer and mounted a swivel base from Ram Mounts with a Garmin stub on it. It works great for a small GPS like the basic Nuuvi. A six-inch usb cable with a 12V plug completes the package. Everything comes out and stows in the center console when I park. Not flush-mount but usable. I tried the Garmin visor clip, but disliked driving with a lowered passenger visor, plus the power cabling got annoying. A flush-mount within the visor might be possible for a thin-bodied GPS like the Nuuvi if someone had a visor to sacrifice for development. Attachment 403542 Attachment 403541 Last edited by blender; 11-21-2012 at 10:32 PM..
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07-02-2010, 01:56 PM	#8
psygnosis Major 23 Rep 1,034 Posts Drives: '04 Z4 3.0i Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	If you really want in dash, the OEM nav, as old as it is, will probably look the best. But you're probably better of with a phone or garmin of some sort. Bonus if you have the wood trim, chances are a suction cup would stick to that no problem. __________________ Straightaways are for fast cars, Corners are for fast drivers.
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07-02-2010, 10:33 PM	#9
ShakyDog Captain 181 Rep 623 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 3.0i Alpine White/Red Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (4)	Now there is something I can use :-) I may have to get another ashtray and experiment... Thanks, Steve
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07-07-2010, 10:16 AM	#10
Fen335i Captain 107 Rep 805 Posts Drives: e92 M3 / X5d / Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest iTrader: (0)	yea, I love the ashtray setup! Nice work!
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07-15-2010, 01:35 AM	#11
hummarz New Member 12 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2011 335is Convertible Join Date: May 2010 Location: Irvine, Ca iTrader: (0)	I got the Clarion NZ500 installed in my car and I love it. I got it modded to be able to play dvds and video from my ipod while im driving. It has NAV built in.
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07-15-2010, 10:07 AM	#12
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2280 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.20]	not a fan of custom trim pieces for non-standard din units. i have the oem navi and i hate how it looks like something from 10 years ago. get a garmin, thats what i use in my daily... the new widescreens are pretty thin. __________________ Follow for latest mods
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07-27-2010, 10:56 PM	#13
MikeRua Enlisted Member 0 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	I got the Tom Tom Wide...fits nice in the right windsceen corner (right hand drive), but I would love to install the original one to keep her stock, where would one find a second hand unit.
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07-27-2010, 11:42 PM	#14
Shereef_Osman Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 232 Posts Drives: 06 Z4MC & 89 325is Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (6)	Been reading lots and lots of great information on this forum for a while and thought it was about time I start to contribute, so here is my first post, a picture of my dash. Attached Images
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07-28-2010, 03:31 AM	#15
hummarz New Member 12 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2011 335is Convertible Join Date: May 2010 Location: Irvine, Ca iTrader: (0)	Shereef_Osman can you state some information on what you did? It seems like you took out your center vents and had a custom double din housing made and instalelled a pioneer head unit...The secondary screen on top looks like its running windows or mac? from a laptop?
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07-28-2010, 06:35 AM	#16
MikeRua Enlisted Member 0 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Interesting setup Shereef_Osman....give us some more info please.
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09-19-2010, 07:17 AM	#18
VMZ432 Fast Everything 10 Rep 98 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Wow! This is great! Kudos!! __________________ 2006 IBlue BMW Z4 MC - ESS VT2-525 Supercharged, JRZ RS1 suspension (500#F, 600#R) with Vorshlag plates, ST Trophy BBK with CL R6E pads, KKS gated exhaust, TMS sway bars, RE rear camber arms, VT engine mounts, Recaro Pole Position (driver), APR GT wing, Street: Volk G2s and Potenza, Track: Volk TE37SLs and BFG R1s.
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09-21-2010, 08:41 AM	#20
acvr4 Private First Class 3 Rep 198 Posts Drives: 3.0Z4,VR4,Vehicross.Touareg Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (1)	Anyone know if you could retro fit the new Navigation to our car? I have a feeling probably not due to cost.
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09-21-2010, 10:00 AM	#21
prophetx2 Private 6 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	i installed a aftermarket nav, search for my posts i document all the procedures. It's not a cheap or fast endevour, but an easy diy.
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