Z4 Aftermarket In Dash Sat Nav

[tdjohn]

Hi

I've got a Z4 (2003 the very original one). I've had it from almost new, but would like to replace the head unit in it with decent satnav and compatability with my iPhone.

The car's got the business sat nav (the one without the pop up screen) and premium speaker system.

I was wondering if anyone could suggest a decent upgrade, the only thing I could find was this:

http://www.pioneer.eu/uk/products/archive/AVIC-X3/...

I assume you can get a converter to remove the existing head unit and replace it with a standard after market one.

Suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Tom

[AB]

As far as I am aware, it's not an easy task to get another headunit to work with the premium speaker system. I presume you mean Carver?

I have asked this question many times and the answer has always been "no".

[Targarama]

There was someone who did this and wrote a story about it on the Z4 forum last summer: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/

IIRC the trickiest part was cutting the right sized hole in the dash top for the raising assembly.

[tdjohn]

There are a few vids on U Tube of Z4's with a slide out single din sat nav, but the models seem to be limied to the US.

I don't want to get into cutting holes in the dash.

[4nonymous]

What do you not like about the current nav ?

[Fox-]

4nonymous said:

What do you not like about the current nav ?

It's Business nav so its rubbish. Just a momochrome screen with arrows.

[tdjohn]

No visuals and impossible interface.

[Mattt]

Fox- said:

4nonymous said:

What do you not like about the current nav ?

It's Business nav so its rubbish. Just a momochrome screen with arrows.

Yet they charge £1000 for the privilege (as opposed to £2000 for the screen version). IIRC that is.

Rip off.

[a11y_m]

To be honest I think the easiest solution is simply a TomTom unit or the like. Not integrated in the least but I've always found those devices work better than any built-in satnav in any car I've been in.

But yes, you can fit a facia adaptor plate to allow fitting of a standard single-DIN sized headunit into the Z4 dash. Removing the existing headunit is easy enough involving removing the airvents directly above the headunit (see guides on z4-forum). You could then fit one of those with a popping out screen.

Not sure on compatability with your current headunit though - does yours have external amps, etc. (i've only got the bog standard Business radio with no external amps in mine but at least it's easy to upgrade...).

[Fox-]

Mattt said:

Yet they charge £1000 for the privilege (as opposed to £2000 for the screen version). IIRC that is.

Rip off.

Whilst I agree from a user perspective I think its powered by a Mk4 Nav computer anyway which makes retrofitting proper nav loads easier and probably accounts for most of the cost.

[AB]

a11y_m said:

Not sure on compatability with your current headunit though - does yours have external amps, etc. (i've only got the bog standard Business radio with no external amps in mine but at least it's easy to upgrade...).

I think here lies the problem to be honest.

[tdjohn]

a11y_m said:

To be honest I think the easiest solution is simply a TomTom unit or the like. Not integrated in the least but I've always found those devices work better than any built-in satnav in any car I've been in.

True - I have a TomTom for it, however I don't like the inconvenience of removing it from the window, wires hanging about and lack of integration into the audio system.

Plus I am also looking for compatability with my IPhone for both calls and media.

Edited by tdjohn on Tuesday 19th January 15:59

[tdjohn]

AB said:

a11y_m said:

Not sure on compatability with your current headunit though - does yours have external amps, etc. (i've only got the bog standard Business radio with no external amps in mine but at least it's easy to upgrade...).

I think here lies the problem to be honest.

I have the clarion upgrade - which i believe includes an amplifier... all i know is that the speaker covers all rattle!

[JimexPL]

A competent audio specialist, such as Auto Audio, would have no problem integrating an aftermarket head unit with existing speakers. The unit that you show should be fine, as long as it isn't much deeper than a typical head unit.

Get the genuine bmw fascia adapter - the aftermarket one in my car is not a great fit.

I was going to go down this route, but didn't want to loose the functionality of the air vents. In the end, I stuck with my Garmin (but will be re routing the power lead behind the dash when I get round to it) and fitted a Kenwood bluetooth head unit with and Ipod connector.