E85 replace satnav with storage box or blanking plate?

Tsurany · Post by **Tsurany** » Sun May 09, 2021 2:17 pm

Hi,

New Z4 E85 owner, taking delivery early next week. I'm thinking of replacing the cd player radio with a new Android system that has a large screen that is also perfect for navigation. Doing this replacement means the current navigation system that sits on top of the dashboard becomes useless.

I don't mind a useless system that much but it's quite visible and not the best to look at. Is there any possibility to replace it with either a storage box or a blanking plate to cover the hole nicely? I see that the E83 came with a storage box that looks similar in size but I'm not sure if it will actually fit and be a good match.

Anyone ever did something similar?

Note that I have seen the media/navigation system that is for sale that would completely replace the current system but it's quite expensive and it sits high on the dashboard which makes controlling it while driving difficult so that is not really an option for me at the moment.

Rich8 · Post by **Rich8** » Mon May 10, 2021 11:01 pm

I looked for something similar a while back but nothing out there I could find. Seen a couple of DIY attempts and although clearly better jobs than I could have done, I haven't seen anything I would be happy with on mine.

Don't be tempted by the x3 cubby box - looks similar but doesn't fit.

danmiddle2 · Post by **danmiddle2** » Wed May 12, 2021 12:58 pm

The E83 BMW X3 had a near identical navigation screen to the E85/E86 Z4.They are not 100% a perfect swap... however... unlike the Z4, when the E83 was specified without the navigation option, it came with one of these. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224107767123 ... %3A2334524

I previously fitted one to an E85 to "remove" the navigation screen. It just needed trimming a little at the front edge to fit perfectly.

Post by **srhutch** » Wed May 12, 2021 7:23 pm

I’d leave as is or get a replacement dashboard if I were you.

BumpyZ4 · Post by **BumpyZ4** » Wed May 12, 2021 8:45 pm

danmiddle2 wrote: ↑Wed May 12, 2021 12:58 pm The E83 BMW X3 had a near identical navigation screen to the E85/E86 Z4.They are not 100% a perfect swap... however... unlike the Z4, when the E83 was specified without the navigation option, it came with one of these. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224107767123 ... %3A2334524

I previously fitted one to an E85 to "remove" the navigation screen. It just needed trimming a little at the front edge to fit perfectly.

Do you have any pictures of your install? I am getting ready to install one and any pictures or advice would be appreciated!

danmiddle2 · Post by **danmiddle2** » Wed May 12, 2021 9:07 pm

BumpyZ4 wrote: ↑Wed May 12, 2021 8:45 pm
danmiddle2 wrote: ↑Wed May 12, 2021 12:58 pm The E83 BMW X3 had a near identical navigation screen to the E85/E86 Z4.They are not 100% a perfect swap... however... unlike the Z4, when the E83 was specified without the navigation option, it came with one of these. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224107767123 ... %3A2334524

I previously fitted one to an E85 to "remove" the navigation screen. It just needed trimming a little at the front edge to fit perfectly.
Do you have any pictures of your install? I am getting ready to install one and any pictures or advice would be appreciated!

Sadly not. Had a look earlier and couldn't find any... it was about 5 years ago now.

Tsurany · Post by **Tsurany** » Wed May 12, 2021 11:32 pm

danmiddle2 wrote: ↑Wed May 12, 2021 12:58 pm I previously fitted one to an E85 to "remove" the navigation screen. It just needed trimming a little at the front edge to fit perfectly.

Would the original navigation still fit after the trimming?

danmiddle2 · Post by **danmiddle2** » Thu May 13, 2021 11:50 am

Tsurany wrote: ↑Wed May 12, 2021 11:32 pm
danmiddle2 wrote: ↑Wed May 12, 2021 12:58 pm I previously fitted one to an E85 to "remove" the navigation screen. It just needed trimming a little at the front edge to fit perfectly.
Would the original navigation still fit after the trimming?

Yes, I trimmed the X3 box... not the dash

Tsurany · Post by **Tsurany** » Fri May 14, 2021 12:06 am

danmiddle2 wrote: ↑Thu May 13, 2021 11:50 am Yes, I trimmed the X3 box... not the dash

Good to know, will look into that option, thnx!

jamesditchy · Post by **jamesditchy** » Fri May 14, 2021 7:22 am

The 1series had a storage box that looked to be a very similar size. May be worth trying to get the spec on it as that would possibly drop straight in.

Link to some availability on eBay. You could ask for the dimensions

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... yNGwctFnKx

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