nav solution for 08 m3 without nav?

[goto35]

purchasing an 08m3 without nav. whats my best nav solution?

[KGB7]

Take a look at Garmin.

[J08M3]

I did this at one point

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...2&postcount=36

[Blotman]

+1 for the Garmin. They have several models, but you can't really go wrong with any. If you have a phone with gps (Droid with Google Maps is awesome), then simply get a car mount for that. The 08 nav system kind of pisses me off on how long it takes to crunch the directions, you anything recent is a huge step up.

[roders]

I thought all M3's came fully optioned with SatNav/TV?
Down here in Australia you dont really get to choose otherwise.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by roders

I thought all M3's came fully optioned with SatNav/TV?
Down here in Australia you dont really get to choose otherwise.

I believe all AUS models are required to come with BoardMonitors, but not necessarily with SatNav. At least this was the requirement on previous generation 3-series/5-series & X5.

In the US - vehicles can be specified without iDrive

[SchnellM3]

Originally Posted by J08M3

I did this at one point

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...2&postcount=36

That turned out really well

[Legion5]

I specifically sought out an M3 and 335i WITHOUT nav because the nav system is simply seriously unintuitive, unresponsive and backwards (in fact my dealer agrees and calls it the idiot box). I use an iPhone 4 with Navigon with the traffic upgrade and it's a million times better than the nav ever could be. I've actually had loaner 335i's with navigation and trying my iPhone nav against the idrive the iPhone nav was faster better and easier to use in every dimension by a long shot to the point where I didn't even use the nav despite the phone being more cumbersome.

In the 335i the place where the iDrive is is replaced with a large storage compartment that seats the iPhone perfectly and holds a combination charging and audio cable. The overall setup is clean looking and has the phone where the iDrive controller is so it has the same ergonomics as the iDrive system and is within your field of vision and therefore displays directions very well. The cable is also the perfect length so you can put it to your ear if you need to make a call (though with the hands free you usually don't) . With the M3 I had a huge problem because every single type of console made for it would not fit the iPhone in it at all. Lucky for me I had a lot of experience modifying cars (with SEMA vehicles under my belt) so I simply spliced the rubber sotrage compartment from a 3 series on the leather M3 console. The setup looks factory and was perfect. This should also work with android phones.

When you get your car just contact me and I'll modify your console if you send it to me. I'll hook you up with a deal that's priced better than anyone else will do it for you.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by Legion5

I specifically sought out an M3 and 335i WITHOUT nav because the nav system is idiotic and atrocious. I use an iPhone 4 with Navigon with the traffic upgrade and it's a million times better than the nav ever could be. I've actually had loaner 335i's with navigation and trying my iPhone nav against the idrive the iPhone nav was faster better and easier to use in every dimension by a long shot.

In the 335i the place where the iDrive is is replaced with a large storage compartment that seats the iPhone perfectly and holds a combination charging and audio cable. The overall setup is clean looking and has the phone where the iDrive controller is so it has the same ergonomics as the iDrive system and is within your field of vision and therefore displays directions very well. The cable is also the perfect length so you can put it to your ear if you need to make a call (though with the hands free you usually don't) . With the M3 I had a huge problem because every single type of console made for it would not fit the iPhone in it at all. Lucky for me I had a lot of experience modifying cars (with SEMA vehicles under my belt) so I simply installed the sotrage compartment from the 335i on the M3 console. The setup is perfect and should also work with android phones.

When you get your car just contact me and I'll modify your console. I'll hook you up with a deal that's priced better than anyone else will do it for you.

+1000 on navigon
I tried all the nav apps for iPhone
It's by far the best one

Can I see pics of your center console?
I was tempted to replace my M3 center console with one from the regular 3 series and sacrifice the power/DSC Button since I never use either

[J08M3]

^--- sounds complicated. I have an M3 without iDrive and I just put my phone where the iDrive knob usually is. Fits perfect no modifications at all

[goto35]

the car im getting has bluetooth. Do you have a pic of the center console you are talking about?

I just want a clean looking setup. I hate wires showing. On the e46 i spend $2700 on a double din and i dont want to do that again (too expensive!)

[Legion5]

Originally Posted by J08M3

^--- sounds complicated. I have an M3 without iDrive and I just put my phone where the iDrive knob usually is. Fits perfect no modifications at all

Yeah the iPhone 4 doesn't fit I tried it on both the old console (shaped like the old idrive controller) and the new one (shaped like the new controller) so that wasn't an option.

Originally Posted by kmarei

+1000 on navigon
I tried all the nav apps for iPhone
It's by far the best one

Can I see pics of your center console?
I was tempted to replace my M3 center console with one from the regular 3 series and sacrifice the power/DSC Button since I never use either

I'm retrofitting extended leather so my M3 console is at a shop which is melting the plastic welding apart so I can show you the result in a week or two.

I couldn't give up the center buttons either so, despite all the work involved splicing the regular 3 series tray onto the M3 console, it was the way to go. The 'oddments tray' is also a sperate peice from the parts counter so I didn't have to sacrifice a 3 series console.

I can acheive a 100% authentic looking factory look though. Here's some work I did for another forum member along similar lines:



That's a 3 series iDrive console made to look like a factory M3 console with a M3 ash tray lid from the parts counter.

[J08M3]

I don't know, my iPhone 4 fits

[Legion5]

Originally Posted by J08M3

I don't know, my iPhone 4 fits

At what angle? I could get it to lay almost vertically but then you can't control it and it's in a bad position to be seen when driving. You also can't use any buttons on the lower part of the phone.

[J08M3]

Originally Posted by Legion5

At what angle? I could get it to lay almost vertically but then you can't control it and it's in a bad position to be seen when driving. You also can't use any buttons on the lower part of the phone.

I don't know, maybe I'm confused by what you mean.

I just put my phone where the iDrive knob usually is. I find it easy to reach....

[Grail05]

Garmin or Tom2x

[goto35]

but where to mount clean tomtom garbin without wires?

[Legion5]

Originally Posted by J08M3

I don't know, maybe I'm confused by what you mean.

I just put my phone where the iDrive knob usually is. I find it easy to reach....

I'm talking about the phone laying flat like this:



You can only get that by splicing a new tray onto the console.

Originally Posted by jateshk

but where to mount clean tomtom garbin without wires?

You can't which is why the iPhone setup is nicer. Also tom tom and garmin are seperate manufacturers, which at least one of which have apps for the iPhone although navigon is better.

[AMOCHOSTO]

Tom Tom, Then download Darth Vader's voice and you are Golden.

[immiketoo]

The Garmin Nuvi by BMW has some pretty slick features, and once installed, integrates right into the car's audio source. My favorite part is the red light camera warning sound, but the rest of the unit is VERY good. Here's a link...

http://www.shopbmwusa.com/ProductDet...rtableNavImage

[goto35]

whats the cleanest and best mount for a non bmw navigation (like a nuvi from costco)?

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by jateshk

purchasing an 08m3 without nav. whats my best nav solution?

I also purchased mine without the iDrive and use my TomTom when I do need it. It serves me well. Power source from the armrest storage and the TomTom rests on the passenger seat nicely secured by the movable front section of the seat. Then when I need guidance this sexy lady voice tells me what to do

No need for anything more not for me anyway oh yes my iPot of curse with endless music never leave home without it :>)