Factory NAV Replacement

[yyz_bobby]

Originally Posted by CJW2OO4

I had the existing hole in my dashboard but the nav I bought the baseplate doesn't cover it properly and the mounting points don't line up.

Think this is the one you bought?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3298...ba9614439ik9n8

Questions:

1) If the mounting points dont line up how did you secure it?

2) Any gaps between the new base and the old hole left by the old nav?

3) Do steering wheel functions work fine?

4) Did the aliexpress buyer send everything you needed or did you require seperately purchased wires/connectors?

5) Does OBD and TPMS work on the model you bought?

6) Any plans to remove the NAV DVD player behind the centre console?

Thanks
B

[CJW2OO4]

Originally Posted by yyz_bobby

Think this is the one you bought?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3298...ba9614439ik9n8

Questions:

1) If the mounting points dont line up how did you secure it?
Temporarily secured with zip ties. Ghetto but it works.

2) Any gaps between the new base and the old hole left by the old nav?
Yes the baseplate is too small, you can see a tiny gap on each side of the plate. (towards windshield not the driver)

3) Do steering wheel functions work fine?
Steering controls work fine for audio volume... remember you are using the AUX input to pump the audio.. you are not controlling the android screen with the steering wheel.

4) Did the aliexpress buyer send everything you needed or did you require seperately purchased wires/connectors?
Its mostly plug and play if you have the aux input. If not you need the aux input. The other thing I bought was apple car play for it.

5) Does OBD and TPMS work on the model you bought?
I do not have OBD and TPMS working. My guess is you could probably figure out how to tap into the proper wiring to get it to work, since this headunit would work with the X3.

6) Any plans to remove the NAV DVD player behind the centre console?
I left mine there. No plan to remove it at this time. In case there is ever a need to convert back to stock it will only take a moment.

See my comments above.

[yyz_bobby]

Originally Posted by CJW2OO4

See my comments above.

Cheers mate, any update on getting the custom Nav Delete base from that side of the pond?

[rsutoratosu]

Originally Posted by yyz_bobby

What did you get done in the end?

Did you have the E85 with OEM Nav screen already?

Sorry been busy at work, due to corona I actually had more work.. and im just a fking accountant


https://www.zpost.com/forums/showpos...3&postcount=69

I had nothing, I cut my dash

[Black911S]

rsutoratosu,

Any update on your nav screen install? All finished?

[vt100]

Folks, anyone installed this on a car with factory NAV? Does it require cutting the dash?

[tomjonesBT33]

I've been researching this too. I have the antiquated factory nav system. Here's what I was considering. Pictures show that this should work with car that has OEM nav. I haven't contacted them yet to confirm though.

https://m.aliexpress.us/item/3256804...andl_shipto=US


The other option I'm considering is the NavTool unit and a custom screen install within the factory flip up piece

[vt100]

Originally Posted by tomjonesBT33

I've been researching this too. I have the antiquated factory nav system. Here's what I was considering. Pictures show that this should work with car that has OEM nav. I haven't contacted them yet to confirm though.

https://m.aliexpress.us/item/3256804...andl_shipto=US

A link to a mobile version and in French! The was cool

Here it is in English https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...andl_shipto=US

And yes, I was referring to this one. Would be very interested to hear any feedback..

Originally Posted by tomjonesBT33

The other option I'm considering is the NavTool unit and a custom screen install within the factory flip up piece

That's rather intriguing. You have any link to something similar that was done or a company that can do such a custom base plate?

[1981TR8]

Originally Posted by vt100

A link to a mobile version and in French! The was cool

Here it is in English https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...andl_shipto=US

And yes, I was referring to this one. Would be very interested to hear any feedback..

That's rather intriguing. You have any link to something similar that was done or a company that can do such a custom base plate?

Has anyone actually installed one of these with a z4 e85) with an existing SATNAV? Experiences? Adding CarPlay?

[1981TR8]

anyone just mounted a portable CarPlay unit like shown to replace the existing gps screen?

Experiences?

[Z4Kevo]

See my post in another thread...

https://www.zpost.com/forums/showpos...postcount=2858

I realize there has been a lot of discussion about doing this, but i am now in the process of sourcing another X3 dash trim part so I can 3D scan it along with the original Nav trim in order to combine them into a proper trim part that allows the trim to fit flush on the dash, line up the mounting holes, cover up the existing Nav opening completely while also moving the display further down the dash as far as i can to help lower it in the FOV and make the touch screen more comfortably accessible.

We have needed this trim part for a long time now, so I WILL get this part done...just like i did my kidney grille support ring. It will be a 3d printed part that is compatible with this unit. All of these displays, seem to be of similar origin with only slight differences in how they are implemented. I have seen a lot of online ads that use inaccurate pics in the descriptions and often engage in what appear to be straight up falsehoods to get you to bite. With that said, cross compatibility of this trim with other display variants is another question altogether...but this is at least a place to start.

I will likely start its own thread when i get something worth sharing.

[CJW2OO4]

On behalf of the whole z4 community thank you!

[Z4Kevo]

Originally Posted by CJW2OO4

On behalf of the whole z4 community thank you!

Appreciated...but I gotta earn it first!

[Z4Kevo]

I just received the additional e83 dash trim piece today... scanning will commence this weekend!

[Z4Kevo]

3D scans went well...got really good data to use for my template. Started the first round of modeling...looking good so far.

[Z4Kevo]

Into to the slicer we go...looks to be a 45 hour run.

[Z4Kevo]

Making progress...should be doing a test fit this afternoon., adjust, reprint...rinse and repeat.

[Beedub]

nice

[CJW2OO4]

Amazing! Will you Please share the print when you have it dialed in and finalized?

[Z4Kevo]

the first part came out pretty good...although the fitment had to be worked on...so now i am onto round two! with every print i get closer to success...just need patience to sit through the rather long print times.

as soon as i get it all sorted and printing a workable part i will make the .STL file available for download. those with 3d printers can have at it!

for those without a 3d printer that would like for me to print one for them i can do so for the cost of print time, materials/finishing and shipping. but at 45 hours print time ($3/hour) plus $25 for filament and $20 for basic finishing/clean up...then shipping on top of that...not going to be cheap.

but that is relative i guess given one's resources for what is essentially a one-off part you can't source anywhere.

for my own installation i had already covered the prior E83 part in a headliner material that looks pretty good and ties it in with the interior, but i am going to be experimenting with a carbon fiber wrap material to see what that looks like.

[Z4Kevo]

I took the very first test print...with zero surface prep...wrapped it in CF vinyl over top the print boogers and all. Considering how fast and sloppy i was it at least proved that it could handle the really tight angle on the raised top. Not the highest quality CF look, but i am kind of impressed in how well it shaped. Will do a proper test later, but this is now a legit option imo.

[Z4Kevo]

Working through it one area at a time. The model currently printing (completing sometime tomorrow afternoon) should be the confirmation print for the area that receives and cradles the actual android unit.

While this is printing i am working on a version that shifts the unit as far forward and down as i possibly can. The android cradle base is actually wider than the existing nav hole and would require a slight widening of the hole if you wanted to drop the unit lower and rotate the face to vertical instead of tilted back. This is my aim.

We actually have a bit of room where we can make the hole a bit bigger and still have the existing navigation trim cover the hole should we want to roll back to a stock setup.

I modeled up the dash and opening to use as a template for the model (dash is in green) along with the mounting holes and leftside guide tab. You can see the overlap circled in red as well as green popping through in the other viiews as well. This is the area that would need to be cut out to allow the unit to shift further down and forward.

After confirming the current print i will produce one as shown in the pics to test for the shift i described and then perform the actual cutting if it looks to be the case. The three mounting holes in the rear will have to be dealt with as well. I have them located but need to work up a clean method of fastening and concealment.

Slow and steady.