Double-Din Nav conversion

[shaft9ii]

Hey all,

I've been poking around on several forums through here on searches regarding switching over to a double din with relocation of the HVAC unit to where the sunglass holder is. All the threads I found were generall at least a few years old and mostly without much in the way of resolution. I did see the "Carputer" threads, and whatnot, but I have to say I think the carputer is a bit more in-depth than what I want to do.

I'm looking to get a good quality double din touchscreen Nav/radio unit. I don't particularly care about movies or anything like that. Has anyone had any recent experience in getting over the hurdles? I am a former car audio installer (Albeit a rusty one!) and I'm happy to do some work to make it happen but the biggest issue I've had is the ones I've seen are....well crappy looking. The carputer looks decent but that's only an LCD display; the trim bezel is sunk deep in, and I believe with a double din Unit it'd be too deep to be able to mount one using that trim piece.

Any guidance one way or the other from recent experience or links to threads I may have missed would be great!

[e36M34dr]

I did it to my old M3/4/5 a lot of work. Had to cut the ac box behind the radio and reseal at 90 degree angle so radio would fit. Then relocate ac controls under OBC. Not worth the trouble again for me, I may have pics at home I'll check later.

[anotherhaus]

I looked into this too, and ultimately decided (for me) it wasn't worth the effort so I went with a flip-up. And yes, it blocks the main vent, which is a bummer, but I really like having nav and a touch screen. If you search - really search - there are one or two mind-blowing double DIN installs into the E36 floating around various forums. One which relocated the OBC under the armrest, IIRC.

- - - Updated - - -

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1803569-Finally-doing-the-Double-din&p=24092035#post24092035

I can't find the originals..they're out there somewhere though.

[takuma M3]

I'm going with a nexus 7 tablet.
To much bs on a double din.

[shaft9ii]

I'm going with a nexus 7 tablet.
To much bs on a double din.

interesting, how are you planning that out?

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks guys, yeah it's unfortunately a huge pain it seems. Wish it were more viable an option!

[takuma M3]

A few people are doing it.
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=446165
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=446165

Bezel.
http://www.mybimmer.net/e36carpclcd.htm
http://www.startercircuits.com

[ColdshotM3]

That bezel looks nice^ i'd like to see somebody put the OBC in the sunglass tray location, HVAC controls above that, and then a clean double din install up top. I hate the idea of the HVAC controls being on the bottom, the OBC is pretty much redundant but worth keeping so why not relocate it to the bottom, then the HVAC controls don't have to be relocated as far? I don't know lol… I'd like to pull off a clean set up in my car, I just don't want to jump into it knees deep without someone else's successful thread to go off.

[takuma M3]

like this.

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h329/nyc_drummer23/datan.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/nyc_drummer23/media/datan.jpg.html)

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h329/nyc_drummer23/DSC_0994sml.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/nyc_drummer23/media/DSC_0994sml.jpg.html)

by the way not my car.

[shaft9ii]

Wow that is awesome. Know any details on who's car it is or who did the install? Looks quality.

[takuma M3]

nah, i actually need to find the thread again to see where this guys or girl got the ac controls in like that.

it was a thread named: show your interior. Something in those lines.

- - - Updated - - -

link to thread


http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1597531-Let-s-see-your-e36-interiors/page2

[shaft9ii]

Great thanks for posting that link, Emmet did amazing work with that install!

[takuma M3]

yeah
i pm him to see if he has more info/pics on how he made it.

[shaft9ii]

Hah, I do believe he's being spammed then because I did the same.

[AamiRox]

I have just finished putting a double din in my e36. Had to cut the air vent in half. Can post photos if you are interested.

[GTRSv]

I have just finished putting a double din in my e36. Had to cut the air vent in half. Can post photos if you are interested.
please do..