Harman Kardon Drive + Play in Z4

[supremeart]

Has anyone installed a Harman Kardon Drive + Play or Harman Kardon Drive + Play 2 in a Z4 coupe or roadster? I was thinking of installing one, but am looking for ideas as to where to locate the controller and the screen. I have it installed in a SAAB I have, and it is, in my opinion, the best iPod solution out there. Doesn't integrate into the head unit, uses it's own screen, which has to be mounted, but retains nearly all the functionality of the iPod without all the quirks of the Dice system, or the sheer lack of functionality of the BMW integration.

I was interested to see any photos of this installed in a Z4, again, just to get ideas as to where to locate the screen for best look and viewing and the controller.

[sav///M]

Has anyone installed a Harman Kardon Drive + Play or Harman Kardon Drive + Play 2 in a Z4 coupe or roadster? I was thinking of installing one, but am looking for ideas as to where to locate the controller and the screen. I have it installed in a SAAB I have, and it is, in my opinion, the best iPod solution out there. Doesn't integrate into the head unit, uses it's own screen, which has to be mounted, but retains nearly all the functionality of the iPod without all the quirks of the Dice system, or the sheer lack of functionality of the BMW integration.

I was interested to see any photos of this installed in a Z4, again, just to get ideas as to where to locate the screen for best look and viewing and the controller.

I installed one in my Z4M Coupe a couple weeks ago. I installed the screen to the right of the instrument binnacle, and tucked the wire around the gaps between the dash and cluster.

I located the controller on the left side of the blank panel below the A/C (above the ash tray). I did have to drill a hole to mount it, but replacement panels are only a few bucks.

The main unit I installed under the radio, behind the ash tray. I tapped into wires going to the cigar lighter for power and ground, and the purple/white wire to the DSC/TPMS buttons for switched power.

Install was pretty easy and clean, but it remains to be seen how easily the adhesive will come of the dash should I choose to remove it eventually. I still need to pick up an aux input adapter from the dealership.

I'll try and take some photos tomorrow.

-chris

[supremeart]

I installed one in my Z4M Coupe a couple weeks ago. I installed the screen to the right of the instrument binnacle, and tucked the wire around the gaps between the dash and cluster.

I located the controller on the left side of the blank panel below the A/C (above the ash tray). I did have to drill a hole to mount it, but replacement panels are only a few bucks.

The main unit I installed under the radio, behind the ash tray. I tapped into wires going to the cigar lighter for power and ground, and the purple/white wire to the DSC/TPMS buttons for switched power.

Install was pretty easy and clean, but it remains to be seen how easily the adhesive will come of the dash should I choose to remove it eventually. I still need to pick up an aux input adapter from the dealership.

I'll try and take some photos tomorrow.

-chris

Cool, looking forward to the pics..

I was thinking of putting the screen mounted below the AC controls, above the ash tray, not sure if it will block access to the buttons, just have to play around in the meantime with positioning. My installation place was also saying that they could mount it where the interior lights are (in the roadster it is in between the visors). Since there is space there, they can get the piece from BMW, cut it and put the screen in there (removed from the frame that it comes with). They showed me a pic of an XM setup done that way which looked real nice, but a bit expensive to do. And the car is a lease..

[supremeart]

Still no Pics?

[sav///M]

Yeah, sorry. If the sky clears up tomorrow I'll shoot some.

I got the E46 aux-input cable installed as well (5 min process) but now I've got some alternator whine... need to track that down.

-chris

[sav///M]

Ok, here you go.

I mounted the display unit to the right of the instrument binnacle with the two-sided adhesive pads included with the unit:
http://christianyates.com/files/images/DSCF1635.preview.JPG

http://christianyates.com/files/images/DSCF1637.preview.JPG

The cable is simply tucked in tightly around the outside of the tach, and fed down alongside the steering column, and in behind the open space below the radio.

The controller is mounted on the removable panel above the DSC/TPMS/seat heater buttons. I drilled a hole in the panel (cheap replacement - Ron has posted the part number somewhere) to feed the wire through. I mounted it all the way to the left, so that I could reach it easily and could still open the ash tray too use the 12V outlet for my Garmin.

http://christianyates.com/files/images/DSCF1633.preview.JPG

The 'brain' of the unit is tucked down below the HVAC controls. The ashtray and DSC/TPMS panel removes with a single phillips screw, then tilts up and pulls out.

http://christianyates.com/files/images/DSCF1641.preview.JPG

The brain is simply wedged back in the open space below the HVAC controls, with some foam to keep it from rattling loose. I tapped into the purple/white line to the DSC switch panel for switched trigger power, and tapped into the hot and ground from the cigar lighter for the other two connections.

I purchased the E46 Aux-Input kit from the dealer. That simply plugs into the back of the stock radio (search for 'aux input' to find instructions for that). There's a short mini-plug cable connecting the aux cable to the HK unit.

I tucked the iPod cable under the passenger side of the center console trim, exiting behind the passenger seat. I generally leave my old 20GB 3G iPod under the seat, but I can pull it out to plug in my iPhone or my wife's nano.

http://christianyates.com/files/images/DSCF1639.preview.JPG