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Thread: E36 M3 iPad Install

  1. #1
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    E36 M3 iPad Install

    I have been wanting to upgrade the stereo in my '95 M3 for quite some time now... But, I have never gotten around to it.

    Over the last few months I have seen several in car iPad intallations. (Mostly at Sound Man) Unfortunately those guys are all the way out in CA.

    So... I had to give it a go myself.

    Everything out of the dash. Ready to go.


    iPad mocked up where it will sit.


    AC Control module relocated to allow room for the AC controls to be mounted low in the dash...


    First round of glass and filler (i am a novice so it is going to take a few rounds of sanding...). Also notice the holes for the relocation of the seat heater switches.


    Another shot of my awful glass work...


    THe panel will be a work in progress this week. I also just ordered all of my audio equipment and it will be in this week. Hopefully I will have this finished up next weekend.

    For those interested here is how the iPad is wired up.

    Dock Connector Extender (ALO Audio)

    Apple iPad Dock (Apple Store)

    3.5mm Mini Stereo to RCA

    Griffin PowerJolt for iPad wired to ignition hot on Scosche Wire Harness

    JL Audio CL-RLC Remote Level Control

    JL Audio J2 320.4 60W x 4 Car Amplifier

    JL Audio C2-650 6-1/2" Component Car Speakers

    JL Audio C2-690tx 6 x 9" 3-way Speaker (6x9 adapters from ebay)

    No subs for now... All this should be a big enough improvement over the stale stock system...

    I will update this week or next weekend once I make some progress on the dash panel and getting everything wired up.
    Last edited by steve1081; 07-26-2012 at 12:28 AM. Reason: Update Image Links
    Stephen - 1995 M3 - North Palm Beach, FL - Link to Mods List


  2. #2
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    Not to be mean, but when I saw the thread title I thought it was a joke. But it does look good; it seems like the width was just right for the iPad to fit.
    '84 325e 32k miles | '98 328i 68k miles | '01 Z3 74K miles | '99 F150 64k miles
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    We retrofit headlights, code BMWs, rekey locks and thoroughly detail cars. Interested or curious? PM us.

  3. #3
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    subscribed

  4. #4
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    1996 BMW 328is mod
    Inspired to buy an ipad now? Oh yeah. Subscribed. This is the future

  5. #5
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    interesting, different.
    want to see how it will progress.

  6. #6
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    It seemed ridiculous to me at first too... But, when you think about it the iPad is actually very will suited to in car audio / vidoe / nav use.

    Here are a few apps I am excited to use:

    Navigation (haven't picked one yet)
    Hulu
    Pandora
    NPR
    Rev 2.0 (unfortunately I am not OBD II... so I cant use this, but it is awesome!)

    The downside is that it is a tough install & i cant find a solution that doesn't involve an after-market amp and new speakers which is more work and more cost.

    Here are some of the installs that convinced me to take on this project

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71_lEplVqbk"]G8 Install[/ame]

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVvlgQu3Qd4"]SoundMan Install[/ame]
    Stephen - 1995 M3 - North Palm Beach, FL - Link to Mods List


  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by steve1081 View Post
    The downside is that it is a tough install & i cant find a solution that doesn't involve an after-market amp and new speakers which is more work and more cost.
    lol

  8. #8
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    Benny,

    I have read many of your posts looking for a good speaker setup for this install... Thanks for all the information you have posted.

    I almost went with a DLS 3 way... but ended up with the JL Audio 2 way. Mostly because of cost concerns...

    I did just find this setup that is reasonable. I think you had a DLS setup in the past right?Do you still recommend DLS?

    http://cgi.ebay.com/DLS-CLASSIC-C36-...ht_1981wt_1007

    I'm sure I could make this setup fit? Should I Return the JLs and go with these?

    Decisions Decisions!

    What about these?

    ECLIPSE SC8365

    I was originally looking only for 5 1/4 (because I didn't know you could fit 6 1/2 with some cutting) so I didn't see any of these setups.
    Last edited by steve1081; 08-16-2010 at 10:24 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
    Stephen - 1995 M3 - North Palm Beach, FL - Link to Mods List


  9. #9
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    frankly i wouldn't bother with a 3-way. to do it right with the oem speaker locations you will need complex tuning capabilities and i don't believe your budget will allow for that.

    if you have heard the jl's and are happy with how they sound, use them.

    personally i would be installing a hybrid audio speaker set. on a pinch budget i would be very happy with the entry level imagine line. beyond that clarus is an upgrade still utilizing passive crossovers at a little over double the price.

  10. #10
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    Thanks for the input Benny. I was thinking the 3 way might get costly. You are also right that I am going to have minimal tuning ability because I am running the iPad signal directly to the amp with the CL-RLC controlling only volume... so the only tuning I will have is the amp settings (bass boost and level control for fade.

    In the future I may upgrade to a digital audio processor... But I would want digital input and the only one I can find is the Audison Bit One and it is almost $1,000!!! Do you know of any good reasonably priced processors by chance?

    The Imagine is exactly the Same price as the JL Audio set I have ordered. Maybe I will consider them.

    Thanks again!
    Stephen - 1995 M3 - North Palm Beach, FL - Link to Mods List


  11. #11
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    i have a/b tested the imagines next to some higher end jl components (not the ones you've ordered). i prefer the entry level imagines over the higher end jls costing double the price. it all comes down to personal preference, though. they are completely different sounding speaker sets.

    you may also be interested in reading this review:

    http://www.caraudio.com/forum/subwoo...-2-review.html
    Last edited by Benny Z; 08-16-2010 at 11:47 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  12. #12
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    thats awesome man! ipad in an e36? who would have thought! I think it will look great when you are done! make sure to post updates plzzz
    Daytona Violet M3
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    The body was scrapped ... - bmwmauro

  13. #13
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    Very interesting. How is the angle and visibilty with the sun?

  14. #14
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    Dude that's F-in awesome man only if my car was obd-2 as well. LOL.

  15. #15
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    Rev2 is awesome. Really makes me wish I had a 97!!!

    I have a power support antiglare screen protector it cuts down the glare and the screen smudges. I have always had one on my iPhone. They are great. Between that and the really bright screen on the iPad it should be much easier to see than most in dash nav system screens.
    Stephen - 1995 M3 - North Palm Beach, FL - Link to Mods List


  16. #16
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    sweet!
    you inspired me today. i was looking to just put a deck in my 98 323is but this is a way better idea. only thing keeping me from doing it today is i wasnt sure how long id be without a car. how long did the process take you?

  17. #17
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    That is absolutely wild. I can't wait to see the finished product.

    Good luck!

  18. #18
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    My first reaction was that this was going to be terrible, but I must say it is looking good so far. Looking forward to seeing more updates on this.

  19. #19
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    Looking good, seriously thought about doing that in my ride as well... tempting...

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by PlumE36 View Post
    sweet!
    you inspired me today. i was looking to just put a deck in my 98 323is but this is a way better idea. only thing keeping me from doing it today is i wasnt sure how long id be without a car. how long did the process take you?
    I've been working on it for a few weeks now, but just a little bit at a time. Plus I am learning to fiberglass as I go... That by itself has been a lot of time.

    But... I still drive the car everyday. I just have no interior...
    Stephen - 1995 M3 - North Palm Beach, FL - Link to Mods List


  21. #21
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  22. #22
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    i've never wanted an ianything, but you're making me want an ipad. just a curious question. for the models that have WiFi and 3G capabilities, do you have to have an AT&T contract for those services?
    -ducky


  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by ducky328i View Post
    i've never wanted an ianything, but you're making me want an ipad. just a curious question. for the models that have WiFi and 3G capabilities, do you have to have an AT&T contract for those services?
    3G service is $15 a month for 200MB (not enough in my experience) and $25 a month for 2GB (plenty).

    No Contract.
    Stephen - 1995 M3 - North Palm Beach, FL - Link to Mods List


  24. #24
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    Wow I love the idea. In for the rest.

    2007 328i MT Sedan

  25. #25
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    any pics of progress/finished product? also im not a car audio genius so even a crude wiring diagram would be helpful

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