2006 BMW 325XI Modding in Progress

Chedman13

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Location
Illinois
Car
2014 Mercedes-Benz GL63 4Matic
Figure I might as well post my modding on my wife's BMW as her birthday present that seems to never end (I keep adding on new features/parts).

Would love to hear back on anything else I might be missing :rofl: or any suggestions from you audio/video/electronic fanatics.

Remote starter has been a pain with a push button, BMW. Almost there though, just need to download the right software flash for one of the modules.

2006 BMW 325XI in Alpine White.

It has the following options:
Cold Weather Package
Premium Package

So pretty basic. I did purchase an extra set of wheels/run flat tires for the winter from Tire Rack:
16x7.5 Sport Edition F9 Bright Silver with OEM BMW center caps
205/55R-16 Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 ROF RunFlat

Now I have been thinking of getting the Dynavin E9X Navigation Headunit:
But decided on a different setup. I wanted to stay as much OEM as possible, but also wanted a quality product. I had to do a bit of research because even Crutchfield said many single din units with flip outs won't work due to the protruding dash -- they are right, but I found one that "doesn't" fit for the E90 BMW that fits perfectly. The Kenwood KVT-516 because it has motorized controls of the angle of the screen and also forward and back controls from the touch screen. Basically I put it in to test fit and it's perfect.

Everything works properly, even the steering wheel controls. Except the weird thing is that it's programmed where the volume control now changes the station memory/track number/etc. and vice versa! Who knows, it still works and I just have to get used to it "switching." Not my biggest concern as I was much more concerned it would even work.

Here is what I'm current doing (in progress):
1) Kenwood KVT-516 6.95" Wide Touchscreen Flip-out w/DVD
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-v7z8HMbRWIT/p_113KVT516/Kenwood-KVT-516.html?search=kvt-516&skipvs=T
p113KVT516-f.jpg

2) Kenwood KCA-IP302 iPod® cable
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-v7z8HMbRWIT/p_113KCIP302/Kenwood-KCA-IP302-iPod-cable.html?tp=120
p113KCiP302-F.jpg

3) Kenwood KCA-BT300 Bluetooth® adapter for Kenwood receivers
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-v7z8HMbRWIT/p_113BT300/Kenwood-KCA-BT300.html?tp=158
p113BT300-f.jpg

4) Kenwood KTC-HR300 Add-on HD Radio™ tuner for select Kenwood receivers
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-v7z8HMbRWIT/p_113HR300/Kenwood-KTC-HR300.html?tp=134
p113HR300-f_mt.jpg

5) Kenwood KNA-G610 Add-on GPS navigation system
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-v7z8HMbRWIT/p_113KNAG610/Kenwood-KNA-G610.html?tp=147
p113KNAG610-f_mt.jpg

6) Kenwood KNA-NT100 NAVTEQ traffic tuner for select 2010 Kenwood navigation receivers
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-v7z8HMbRWIT/p_113KNANT10/Kenwood-KNA-NT100.html?tp=8759
p113KNANT10-f_mt.jpg

7) Axxess ASWC Steering wheel control interface — connects your car's steering wheel audio controls to an aftermarket stereo
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-v7z8HMbRWIT/p_120ASWC/Axxess-ASWC.html?tp=3405
p120ASWC-F.jpg

8) Pioneer AVR-W6100 6.5" overhead monitor Widescreen Tft Active Matrix Lcd Color Display
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/Accessories/AV-Components/AVR-W6100
37973AVR-W6100_reg.jpg

9) Advent CAM330 Mini CMOS "Flexcam" Camera 160 degree wide angle, color camera, 3 mounting options
http://www.adcmobile.com/2010/03/29/cam-330/
camm330-1-300x200.jpg

10) Excalibur Al1820edp Deluxe 2-way Vehicle Security & Remote. A few extra stuff was required to make it work with a BMW and push button.
http://www.caralarm.com/
unnamed.jpg

11) optimaX KIBMW 06+ BMW Interface Self-configuring firmware with CAN Bus door lock and bypass combo. (says 2005 for some reason on Amazon, but you have to go online and download the software once you get it)
Amazon.com: Xpresskit Optimax Series KIBMW 2005 3/5 Series Push To Start BMW Immobilizer Interface: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41jTFoCkfmL.@@AMEPARAM@@41jTFoCkfmL
41jTFoCkfmL_SL500_AA300_.jpg

12) Universal Transponder Interface with universal key interface box, prewound RF loop, key sense interface to turn off UTI when factory key is placed in ignition.

13) I DID NOT BUY/USE THIS -- but wanted to share as it's new for 2011. Metra's installation kit with heating controls relocation. I *might* have done a double din install, but I'm happy with it and it's 1/2 done so forget it. I would have used another install kit and just used the re-locator for the heating controls:
http://redzaudio.com/inc/sdetail/3116/3160
View attachment 236685

14) BMW In-dash Receiver Kit Fits select 2006-up 3-Series and 2008-up 1-Series — chassis size E
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-JNiTvj...Receiver-Kit.html?search=bmw+installation+kit
p120999306B-f_mt.jpg

15) HDTV over air digital tuner for cars. Still researching which one to buy.

Well, I keep adding things to the list so we'll see. Pictures up probably next week.

The overhead Pioneer is an old model, but it I think will best fit the BMW. The overhead after I removed (I have a sunroof) just had two overhead lights and an unused harness and some vents. Perfect place to mount a small rear screen -- not too big so I can't see anything in the rear while driving.

The Pioneer is also nice because it has all the extra buttons and overhead lights and is also "flat" and the screen isn't recessed into the unit. Not sure if that makes sense, but it will make it easier for me to fit into the "hump" that is there. I basically want it to look as flush as possible and no cutting.

Same thing with the rear camera, no drilling, just a more stealth install vs a huge license plate with a camera sticking off.

I thought of rear headrest monitors, but that is just asking for the car to be broken into. Also, newer models have some airbag sensor in them (some wires) so can't do it really. Mine doesn't so I could have, but decided not to.

I'm also going to do 35% tint all around to stay legal in Illinois. It was either that or limo rear and no tint front.
 

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:tup:Niceee, that's another way to temporary cure the mod bugs bite since your FX45 is not much mods left to do. That's one long list of birthday present there. Very interested to see how that push start works.
 
Funny to think my 2003 FX45 came with most of these items already... Clearly newer and better toys for the BMW as they are all aftermarket (Garmin GPS, Navteq Traffic, Parrot Bluetooth -- can't beat those), but mine still works fine.

I might "upgrade" my car with a new navi DVD, but that's about it -- has everything else I need. Forget remote start on my FX, I love having one remote and leaving it in my pocket 24/7.

I might do a HDTV tuner and video output in the front, that is pretty sweet. Shrug.
 
Scratching my head right now what to do with the analog tuner, as I need a digital converter box now.

Trying to keep this with no drilling, but had to make one hole in the trunk for the rear view camera.

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Is the work done by the place you handed out cards for; cousin?

Yeah, my cousins's shop. I'm not doing any of the work, just showcasing it=)

I think I'm going to have him make a custom fiberglass subwoofer enclosure, alarm/remote start using OEM Key + smartphone, Transgo shift kit, all fluid changes on the FX once the BMW is done.

We'll see, this project went from only rear DVD to full blown everything....:err:
 
alarm/remote start using OEM Key + smartphone, Transgo shift kit, all fluid changes on the FX once the BMW is done.

I saw your post regarding this.. Looks like you're all set with the components. It should work very well.

this project went from only rear DVD to full blown everything....
1

It's all for your baby so it's very well justified :rofl:.
 
It's all for your baby so it's very well justified :rofl:.

Yeah. Once you have kids, anything to keep them from crying while commuting is priceless.

Rear DVD only in headrest -- nope makes it a target for thieves and headrest gets too hot from DVD player inside.

So DVD overhead, with external single din DVD player. Then it started piecing crappy parts together, and said screw it, get the in dash DVD player.

Then the in-dash unit had all these add ons and I couldn't resist...
 
nice, my last was a 2006 325i also, but your modding route is far different from mine. looks like you really are on to something
mine's the black:tongue (2):
198994_554778078739_61802388_31950318_155107_n.jpg
 
Very nice. I have a 2010 without nav. Can I install the Kna-G610 and use it with the existing screen?

No, it's an add on to the kenwood unit only.

I highly suggest this headunit, it's awesome. This garmin gps add-on is one of the best.
 
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