Aftermarket Headunit

[Ricardosaurusrex]

Hi,

So I recently purchased a BMW Z4 2.5i really nice car however it bothers me that it has no navi. Ive been interested in putting in a Pioneer App Radio in it however there doesnt seem to be a DIY guide for this or much space in the car to be honest.

I had a few ideas to throw around. My first idea was to remove the stock stereo and the air vents however i do like my AC and im not sure how i would remove the air duct behind the stereo. my next idea involved removing the area where the cigarette lighter and the convertible top button is at and placing those off to the side. Using that space to install the Navigation system.

Ive seen a few images on google of people who have successfully installed a double din stereo unit however there isnt much information regarding how they made it or a diy to it. anyway any and all constructive information would be great.

Thank you!

[funkle]

If you google "double din z4" and click into images, you'll see some solutions.

This thread should probably go in the audio/navigation sub forum.

[chickdr]

I would consider a single DIN unit with a retractable screen. That would be fairly easy to put in with a dash kit and give you what you desire without a lot of fabrication(i.e. a double DIN requires either removing, or rerouting the center air vents).

[Ricardosaurusrex]

ouch, gotcha. well thank you very much for all your help yea i dont think i wanna hack away at my Z4.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Removing the vents/ducts and the stereo is a fairly simple task. However single din retractable is a better solution. You can get an "adapter" to fit the radio as well:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Z4-Singl...8871a2&vxp=mtr

I remember having seen an OEM BMW part for this as well but can't find it anywhere now.

[chickdr]

There is an OEM DIN radio kit? Seems doubtful.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Originally Posted by chickdr

There is an OEM DIN radio kit? Seems doubtful.

Yep. Found it: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...44&hg=65&fg=95

It's #6 in the diagram, part#65900301349. It was on early EU models that had a regular square-shaped single din radio option.

[GuidoK]

I'd go with the stock radio and a small vent mount for your phone for the occasional times that you do need navi.
Aftermarket radios just don't look good in the z4 interior imho.

There are people that buy a seperate (stock) cid, and fix that in their dash, and place a small tablet in that cid.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff

Yep. Found it: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...44&hg=65&fg=95

It's #6 in the diagram, part#65900301349. It was on early EU models that had a regular square-shaped single din radio option.

Interesting! I wonder if that would work with aftermarket DIN radios or just a BMW unit. I also noted that production of the part ended over 10 yrs ago. I guess there may still be a few floating around.

[funkle]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

I'd go with the stock radio and a small vent mount for your phone for the occasional times that you do need navi.
Aftermarket radios just don't look good in the z4 interior imho.

There are people that buy a seperate (stock) cid, and fix that in their dash, and place a small tablet in that cid.

+1. I toyed with aftermarket decks, but just couldn't bring myself to do it to the interior of this car.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Originally Posted by chickdr

Interesting! I wonder if that would work with aftermarket DIN radios or just a BMW unit. I also noted that production of the part ended over 10 yrs ago. I guess there may still be a few floating around.

Sourcing it could be a hassle (maybe from ECS? http://www.ecstuning.com/ES183670/) but it'd fit, as it was designed for the Becker Traffic Pro unit that I think a standard single DIN.

As others have said, aftermarket just doesn't look good IMO. I retrofitted the OEM nav in my first Z4, which was quite a project (~$1000 cost and a couple of days work) for a system that was outdated even then (ca. 2009). Been looking at different options for a while and it seems like the best fit and functionality option is to integrate an android tablet into the OEM nav screen, which is my next project.

[funkle]

Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff

Sourcing it could be a hassle (maybe from ECS? http://www.ecstuning.com/ES183670/) but it'd fit, as it was designed for the Becker Traffic Pro unit that I think a standard single DIN.

As others have said, aftermarket just doesn't look good IMO. I retrofitted the OEM nav in my first Z4, which was quite a project (~$1000 cost and a couple of days work) for a system that was outdated even then (ca. 2009). Been looking at different options for a while and it seems like the best fit and functionality option is to integrate an android tablet into the OEM nav screen, which is my next project.

I thought about doing that. The problem is that the CID location is a little too far to comfortably reach for touch screen functions, so opted for mounting the tablet in a holder in front of the vents. Not as elegant, but much more usable. I bought an android tablet just for this purpose. I'm normally an apple guy, but the Implementation of Google maps is much better on an android IMO. Little goodies like on the fly re-routing and night mode are very nice. Since it's not permanently installed in the car, I can use it in all my vehicles.