[xenon]

Unfortunately my car does not have iDrive as they didn't do the "Edition" models on the E92 and I couldn't justify the price given that I don't really travel in unfamiliar surroundings much.

Anyway, you can get a GPS accessory from the dealer, pictured on this guy's post http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=234

This is just a Garmin unit badged "BMW" and can be had for half the price if bought as a Garmin from an on-line reseller (about £105). The only thing the BMW accessory has is the neat and unobtrusive bracket.

Anyone know a) how this fits, b) if it can be purchased on its own or c) have a picture of it so as I might be able to fabricate one myself?

[M3-FAST]

Have you looked at the pro-clip range of brackets - I doubt you could fabricate one as good as buying one of these - I have the console one in my E93 (I have also fitted one in our company grande punto, as well as my previous A4 and Celica)

They do dash mounted ones that fit near the face vents - they are easily removable and do not leave any marks at all if fitted correctly

You will then be able to buy the correct mount from them to suit your partcular product. I had the iphone passive holder fitted. I currently have the active (meaining c/w charger cable) N82 one attached to my console mount.

[xenon]

Thanks redcab - I'll have a google.

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by xenon

Thanks redcab - I'll have a google.

www.proclip.co.uk

[xenon]

Originally Posted by redE93cab

www.proclip.co.uk

[xenon]

So with the proclip you need two parts, the first part specific to the vehicle (e.g. 653598 for an 08 RHD e92) and then a bracket specific to the device you want to mount?

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by xenon

So with the proclip you need two parts, the first part specific to the vehicle (e.g. 653598 for an 08 RHD e92) and then a bracket specific to the device you want to mount?

yes! the proclip provides a platform to attach a mount to - I always have the Nokia bluetooth kits fitted (miles cheaper than BM option and pairs to ALL phones lol!) and these used to come with a phone cradle so simply screwed the cable to the pro-clip.

Since Nokia have gone away from the pop-port type cradles, the only option for holding the phones in the car for operating and charging is by buying the specific brodit mount.

The N95 one I had before was great! - it had a charge socket that mated with the phone when inserted and I hard wired this in to the same wiring that the car kit attached to. I have done similar with the current N82 cradle.

Not the cheapest option but very neat. It is always worth searching the six digit part number on ebay first - I have had the last two phone cradles off ebay cheaper with next day delivery!

[gIzzE]

Garmin 310d, the worst Nav system I have ever had the misfortune to use, I threw mine out the window it was that bad!!

Get a sony or something that has all the cables going into the bracket so you can keep it neet.


This is the sony wired up in my car...




And this is it on the occasion when I need to slide the unit off, no wires to mess with just straight off and in the armrest.
The bracket comes away too with just one connector for power and tmc to undo.

[gIzzE]

I am retrofitting the nav though, does make the cabin so much nicer.

[xenon]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

I am retrofitting the nav though, does make the cabin so much nicer.

Changing the whole dash you mean?

I've retrofitted an e46 but I wouldn't fancy the job on an e9x. Please post details when you do!

[xenon]

Originally Posted by redE93cab

Have you looked at the pro-clip range of brackets - I doubt you could fabricate one as good as buying one of these - I have the console one in my E93 (I have also fitted one in our company grande punto, as well as my previous A4 and Celica)

They do dash mounted ones that fit near the face vents - they are easily removable and do not leave any marks at all if fitted correctly

You will then be able to buy the correct mount from them to suit your partcular product. I had the iphone passive holder fitted. I currently have the active (meaining c/w charger cable) N82 one attached to my console mount.

Well I did make one myself and it's turned out OK. I much prefer it mounted here where the OEM satnav is instead of those awful window sucker things:



SatNav was half price at Halfrauds with speed cameras, TMC and junction-sign view.

[jamm]

hi,

gizze, where did you get the sat nav mount and did you install it yourself. Is there a power supply underneath?

[gIzzE]

Yeah, the thing is hard wired.
Pull up the trim that cover the air vents on the dash.
Run a female ciggy lighter extension to the 12v switched going into the lighter in the ashtray and that up to that area under the trim on the dash.


I have hard wired the power supply and TMC antenna into the back of the stand, and also used a floppy hard drive cable connector in line too so I can unplug the mount in 2 seconds if I don't want that left in the car either.


The mount is the Sony one, I like the way the power and TMC plug into it and then the nav unit slides in and out. I hate the TomTom design, really neat looking unit put you have to plug two lots of cables into it and then to make matters worse they put the connector on the bottom so they are not hidden!!

[robbie99]

Originally Posted by xenon

Well I did make one myself and it's turned out OK. I much prefer it mounted here where the OEM satnav is instead of those awful window sucker things:

Hi xenon, that looks really neat. Did make the mount for that yourself and can shows us a picture of it? Thanks.

[xenon]

Originally Posted by robbie99

Hi xenon, that looks really neat. Did make the mount for that yourself and can shows us a picture of it? Thanks.

I got a piece of 1.2mm thick aluminium sheet (ideally should be a bit thinner) and bent it into an offset "L" shape. Pulled the alum trim forward, placed bracket behind and pushed trip up tight. Then attached the normal mount to this bracket with some studs. I'll take a piccy though.

[big pimp]

nic neat installs guys

[jamm]

hi gIzzE,

how easy is it to remove the dash plastic cover and run the cable down to the lighter connection. i assume it is possible to run it through the air vents as well for a proclip or air-vent bracket.

some more details would be appreciated

thanks mate

[Hedges]

Originally Posted by redE93cab

www.proclip.co.uk

sweet, saving that link!

Thanks!

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by jamm

hi gIzzE,

how easy is it to remove the dash plastic cover and run the cable down to the lighter connection. i assume it is possible to run it through the air vents as well for a proclip or air-vent bracket.

some more details would be appreciated

thanks mate

The plastic cover just pulls off.

The radio needs to come out, or just the climate controls, this just pulls off.





You then need to remove the trim round the gearstick.
Pull the leather up and away from round the gearstick and then pull the platic trim away if you have an auto.
Lift the armrest and put a blunt kinife under the trim near the back, it is on pins so slowly wiggle it up. Once you have it up enough to get your fingers in there you can slowly pull the whle trim off.

You can see a connector that attaches the lighter to the 12v and ground.

I just undo this and push some bare wires into it and push it back together again.

I always use a ciggy lighter extension, so two bare wires on one end and a female lighter on the other. Attach this to the lighter connector and push the female end up behind the climate and radio and into the section under the dash, you can put a double extension on if you want to plug in something else, like a radar detector.

This 12v is also ignition switched too.