E85 centre console upgrade

[JPB]

I'm looking for some advice/options on how to improve my centre console. I'd like to put in a new head unit (with Bluetooth etc) and happy for it to be third party.

But I also wonder whether it's worth upgrading the sat may screen - I've seen some install a tablet instead for quick synchronization between phone and car.

What have others done? What might you recommend? I'd like it to look classy, like it's meant to be there, whether it's just a radio head unit, or changing loads of stuff. I just need options and ideas.

Many thanks!
Jase

 

[Beedub]

Not many options :-(

 

[Monkeydonkeyratmagic]

Keep the oem look and stick a grom unit in the back for full functionality worthy of the year 2018. The tablet install is a pig of a job and most of the images online of replacing the HU are in fact photoshop concepts. You cannot change the HU and maintain the sat nav.

 

[mac27040]

If you use an iPhone then get an intravee and alpine 420 to read lace the CD changer, you get extra features too. Also replace the radio knobs with ones from a X3 with chrome rings on. Change air vent to facelift so adds a chrome strip.

 

[1000rr]

You could replace the screen with this:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=182934151171&globalID=EBAY-GB





And then replace the headunit with a bluetooth one to connect to screen. That way, you’ll have multimedia, sat nav, front and rear dash cam and Bluetooth audio.

 

[Anonymous]

You could replace the screen with this:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=182934151171&globalID=EBAY-GB

8AFBBE93-8623-4F89-AEB4-680336AB2932.png

A0B2BFFA-79DF-4D68-B02B-6397AE94F1FB.png

And then replace the headunit with a bluetooth one to connect to screen. That way, you’ll have multimedia, sat nav, front and rear dash cam and Bluetooth audio.

Do you have any experience of that unit?

I can't speak for that one but I've seen similar things in use and they seemed incredibly cheap

 

[1000rr]

No, I haven’t. I asked the seller if they did an apple version for apple play, but they don’t....

It could be what you’re after though??

 

[Anonymous]

It's been a few years since I played with any cheaper Android products but for under £100 it might be worth a punt!

 

[Zoomer]

Could you use the android replacement unit that’s made for the old BMW X3 ?

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Android-Auto-GPS-Navigation-Stereo-Satnav-For-BMW-X3-E83-2004-2010-Keep-Radio/272098660549?fits=Car+Make%3ABMW%7CModel%3AX3&epid=575380626&hash=item3f5a5810c5:g:KIcAAOSwevlaRJNJ

 

[85genius]

Could you use the android replacement unit that’s made for the old BMW X3 ?

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Android-Auto-GPS-Navigation-Stereo-Satnav-For-BMW-X3-E83-2004-2010-Keep-Radio/272098660549?fits=Car+Make%3ABMW%7CModel%3AX3&epid=575380626&hash=item3f5a5810c5:g:KIcAAOSwevlaRJNJ

Damn thats tempting to try out

 

[Monkeydonkeyratmagic]

^ mail the seller and ask for a Z4 version. Sometimes these Chinese firms can knock one together pretty damn quick if they think there will be demand for it.

 

[ScoobyR1]

There was a YouTube video of this fitted to a Z4 in Hong Kong. I know I was looking at doing this for a project on my original Z4, what put me off was that my original Z4 didn't have an original BMW satnav, so that would have meant cutting into the dashboard to create space for this, not insurmountable but I didn't quite summon up the bravery to start hacking into a perfectly good dashboard. I know wimp
Thanks JPB for ressurecting this, more money to spend

 

[markplant]

Only thing to mention with the x3 unit is it's running android 4.4 , latest android is 8.1 so this might not take updates , or newer apps may not work

 

[PAH]

If you use an iPhone then get an intravee and alpine 420 to read lace the CD changer, you get extra features too. Also replace the radio knobs with ones from a X3 with chrome rings on. Change air vent to facelift so adds a chrome strip.

A seller on eBay tells me these don’t fit my car?
E85 2007

 

[mac27040]

If you use an iPhone then get an intravee and alpine 420 to read lace the CD changer, you get extra features too. Also replace the radio knobs with ones from a X3 with chrome rings on. Change air vent to facelift so adds a chrome strip.

A seller on eBay tells me these don’t fit my car?
E85 2007

are you refering to the x3 chrome ring knob? they do fit with a slight adjustment

 

[Mau]

If you use an iPhone then get an intravee and alpine 420 to read lace the CD changer, you get extra features too. Also replace the radio knobs with ones from a X3 with chrome rings on. Change air vent to facelift so adds a chrome strip.

A seller on eBay tells me these don’t fit my car?
E85 2007

are you refering to the x3 chrome ring knob? they do fit with a slight adjustment

To a 2007 E85 - which PAH owns - they even fit without any adjustments. Only the pre facelift E85 requires a slight adjustment of one knob.

 

[PAH]

If you use an iPhone then get an intravee and alpine 420 to read lace the CD changer, you get extra features too. Also replace the radio knobs with ones from a X3 with chrome rings on. Change air vent to facelift so adds a chrome strip.

A seller on eBay tells me these don’t fit my car?
E85 2007

are you refering to the x3 chrome ring knob? they do fit with a slight adjustment

Yes,
I’ve bought them now just need to fit them.