Hey guys and gals,

It's been a while (had an 03 MCS, flooded in FL hurricane; moved to bigger car for kids). I miss having an MCS and think I could squeeze the kids into a clubman. My 12YO just flat won't fit in the back of an MCS.

I just sold an 08 M3 sedan to the insurance company after a tow truck company totaled it (story for a different day). The BMW NAV is pretty terrible. The POI is beyond useless, and you can't move the curser around the map to look at different areas of the city (you can, just it just takes about 4 steps with iDrive). For a simple, easy OEM NAV, see Honda.

FWIW the new M3 is awesome, but it's TOO capable. You have to go 100mph to feel like you are going fast.

I don't mind an aftermarket garmin or something, but is there a good way to integrate iPhone/iPod into a headunit so you don't have to look down at the iPod while driving? I like being able to navigate playlists easily with iDrive.

Is there a good aftermarket headunit with Nav, iPod and bluetooth? I don't know much about aftermarket stereo stuff (obviously), and don't even know which acronyms to search for for all this stuff (like mobridge and ICE and stuff - no clue). Now, ask me about a compressor map and I can give you a well reasoned, technical answer...

Thank you very much!

 

First of all welcome back.

Second, in the Gen 2 cars it is very costly to get a aftermarket head unit in the center of the dash where the OEM head unit is. This is because of the design. Parts from Japan are available here now but still at a very expensive cost. It means replacing all the plastics in the center console and moving the OEM head unit to the secret compartment. THere are a number of threads here about this.

Navigation of an iPod is easier with the OEM Nav set up but IMHO is also very easy with the Non NAV cars.

Your best bet is to play with a car at the dealer to see how you like it then make a decision from there. There are two types of iPod set ups as well. One int eh secret compartment and one USB/Bluetooth. Again there are a bunch of threads on these subjects here.

 

 

I happen to know i will be getting the iPod mount from Craven speed for christmas from mom. Can't wait to get it installed!

 

Got the iPhone swivel mount installed, but haven't driven with it yet. Works well, with one small caveat. It doesn't have enough tilt movement to put the iPhone exactly vertical for the Rev Lite lateral accelerometer. I may have to twist the extension arm a little if I want to use that.

 

I'd like some more info on how both devices can be mounted at the same time. I have my Nuvi mounted and am very pleased with it. Been considering whether I would want to have the iPhone up there as well, but I haven't seen anything on the Craven Speed site on how that would be done.

 

You'd better look into the Nav details carefully and maybe try one out before you buy it. There's a legendary thread by Birdman regarding his disdain for the POI aspect of the Mini's Nav (or lack thereof). Some people don't care about it but if you do check things out before you lay out $2,100. The iPod connects very nicely to the headunit (Nav or not) with a free Ycable. There's a more expensive armrest cradle for the iPhone if you run that, but it's mainly a $150 charger. Bluetooth works with an iPhone either way. Check things out before you jump into the water.

 

I believe you use this piece and then add modules you want.

https://cravenspeed.com/index.php?productID=209

 

If you're looking to put one device on either side of the tach, the solution Robin brought up should work well.

We also have a newer solution here:
http://www.cravenspeed.com/index.php?productID=242
This would allow someone to mount both devices on the same side of the tach and use an existing R bracket without too much cash outlay. Let me know if you're interested and I'll get some pictures up with dual devices.

Cheers!

 

I saw the bracket that Robin posted. The problem I see is that with that bracket, the attachment points are down low. With the Nuvi bracket I have now (R?) the attachment point is up high and only requires the one arm to position the Nuvi so it is up "above" the steering wheel. With the one that Robin posted, I would probably have to string together arms? Any idea what kind of vibration that would result in? Plus it would not be as clean looking.