Aftermarket GPS??!?!

Can someone please help me out on this one. I want an IN-dash navi/dvd player. I dont care what kind. Cheaper the better. haha. I hope it can fit, I think one will fit, but i dont know about all the heat/ac buttons and all that. I cant take that out, and replace it as part of the In-dash???can i?? PLease someone let me know, if you have an aftermarket In-dash, let me know. Im really interested in putting one in soon.

bro.. Garmin Nuvi 350 FTW..

BMW dealers are selling it for $$$ x2

garmin cant fit in an 01...

Originally Posted by summit425

bro.. Garmin Nuvi 350 FTW..

BMW dealers are selling it for $$$ x2

He also said IN-dash, the Garmin Nuvi 350 is just another hand-held/pocket-sized GPS unit, like tom-tom or magellin.

I have a Nuvi 350...excellent. You dont have to look at the screen..it talks. For instance, "Exit 405 South" . This makes a big difference when the off ramp has three different exits. Some GPS just say stay left.

Furthermore, after spending countless hours researching, for the price, portability, NUVI won my research. Last, you can get a portable dash mount that sits on top as you drive. Trust me, it does not slide as you make a sharp turn. It stays put. With several cars I own and that I travel on occasion, it is nice to be able to take my Nuvi, even to Canada..good luck

Originally Posted by arielb1

I have a Nuvi 350...excellent. You dont have to look at the screen..it talks. For instance, "Exit 405 South" . This makes a big difference when the off ramp has three different exits. Some GPS just say stay left.

Furthermore, after spending countless hours researching, for the price, portability, NUVI won my research. Last, you can get a portable dash mount that sits on top as you drive. Trust me, it does not slide as you make a sharp turn. It stays put. With several cars I own and that I travel on occasion, it is nice to be able to take my Nuvi, even to Canada..good luck

im looking for a navi/cdplayer/dvdplayer. to replace my stock head unit, i dont know where people got the fact that im looking for a portable one. lol.

As a person who went through the same decision you are doing, I would say step back and ask yourself what do you really want. I looked at in-dash dvd nav, from the factory one (~$2500 bucks) to aftermarket ones that were only slightly cheaper and still seemed slipshod and un-matching. The only advantage of an in-dash GPS that I saw was the nice big screen, but I couldn't justfy an extra 2 grand for that.

So I went and got the tomtom xls. I am glad I did too. I just recently came back from hawaii where I brought the GPS and used it in the rental. The tomtom (as well as the garmin and others) have so much more customization and features than the in-dash gps and the best part is, if in a year or two I find a better one, I'll buy it and still spend less total than the in-dash.

I know I'm not answering your question, but if it's look and style you're going for, spend the extra and go factory. If it's a solid practical GPS, it's very hard to beat the great portable systems out there.

This is a great thread. ipwnyou3 thats a great wish list. I also put up another thread that's similar cos some gifted people have actually done a carputer that does GPS, music, video and diagnostics.

Link01 is absolutely right because the factory set is somewhat primitive, expensive and ultimately pointless. It's only appeal is that looks like part of the car. Which brings me back to what I said above.

As an interim, I'd make plenty do with with a capable GPS that can be mounted nicely, doesnt hamper visibility and looks neat.

Pictures anybody?

Originally Posted by ViBren

Link01 is absolutely right because the factory set is somewhat primitive, expensive and ultimately pointless. It's only appeal is that looks like part of the car. Which brings me back to what I said above.

Ultimately pointless? I love my factory nav:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...10&postcount=9

I have an LG navigation... Works pretty well till i get the factory navigation installed... It's definitely worth it...

Look at the Pioneer AVIC-D3 - I am getting it installed next week. In-dash Nav, Ipod, Bluetooth, Sat, Radio, DVD movies. Will require relocating the A/C controls down to the sunglass holder, but that is not a problem if you can find an installer that knows E46's.

i got a nuvi 330 fs. Pm me if you are interested.
Pretty much got all the manual OEM box suction etc....
http://www.tropicaero.com/products/pt-sp330_TB.jpg

I'm torn between the Avic Z2 and Eclipse 6620 or 7000 series. I have to admit, the factory unit looks great.

Originally Posted by KrisL

Ultimately pointless? I love my factory nav:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...10&postcount=9

Those pictures look awesome.
I definitely don't think it's pointless. I also think the money for factory is worth it. But the majority of the money you're paying for is for the factory look and feel.
I just don't have the $2500 bucks it takes for a factory unit. That said, if I was to do in-dash, I wouldn't be looking after-market and just go factory all the way.

I've been torned between indash gps or portable. And this is after I got the portable gps, because I'm already carrying so much when I'm out from my car. Two cell phones (work and personal (+contract work)), wallet, keys, ipod, psp, sometimes a cup of latte, etc.

Solution to not carrying psp,ipod,portable gps? indash gps deck. Then there goes a choice of single din or double din.

double din requires you to leave your car for 2-3 days to installer and $2k for labour and parts done by the most trusted person in town(in vancouver bc area). plus avic-z2=about $2k CAD.

Where as, single din (Avic-N4) takes a couple hundreds for parts and labour and 3 hours labour job. But single din does not look great and it blocks your center air vents, which you will have to force to close them when you use the screen. so hands down to the double din, viola.

My choice? I'm window shopping for a new car instead of going ahead of getting an aftermarket deck for now.

In meanwhile, check out Rich's bezel pics at http://www.mybimmer.net/ and see what looks best for you.

Originally Posted by triggs

double din requires you to leave your car for 2-3 days to installer and $2k for labour and parts done by the most trusted person in town(in vancouver bc area). plus avic-z2=about $2k CAD.

Not true. My installer gets the job done in about 6 hours time. If you read the other threads about those who DIY they get it done in about 8 hours time spread over two days. The install is roughly 500-700 dollars. I'm looking at the Z2, backup camera, iPod controller, XM radio/navtraffic, bluetooth, and custom install for around $2100-2300 out the door.

Originally Posted by bmwmonkey

Not true. My installer gets the job done in about 6 hours time. If you read the other threads about those who DIY they get it done in about 8 hours time spread over two days. The install is roughly 500-700 dollars. I'm looking at the Z2, backup camera, iPod controller, XM radio/navtraffic, bluetooth, and custom install for around $2100-2300 out the door.

I've heard good deals in California, unfortunately it's hard to find one that does the good job in Vancouver, BC area, or I don't know many places. Perhaps I've got the higher cost due to customized bezel. I will check again, since the quote was about 4-5 months ago.

Plus parts and the unit itself is higher than American pricing in Canada even the currency is almost at same level.

I just realized how old this thread is, but here are two in dash units that are manufactured to look like OEM. Hope anyone else who finds this finds what they're looking for.

http://www.bimmian.com/X5/GPS

http://www.topcardvd.com/bmw-x5-e53-...t-can-bus.html