[Alpine328i]

Read WHOLE thread for all the pictures and information!
I found an OEM-like navigation unit made by the same brand that i had in my Audi. They are becoming a pretty well known brand in the german car industry as far as aftermarket radios. They just developed it so its not even on their site yet but i was lucky enough to get my hands on one of their few sample units. The unit should be identical to the companies other BMW units' specs and software which can be found here:http://www.dynavin.com/products/product_dnv_e46.php

A preliminary picture i got can be seen here:


Granted its a rendering, the image of the unit should be accurate.

Should be here in a week or two, i will keep you guys posted. Anyone have a DIY on radio removal?

[d33v00n3h]

Yeah that's the bimmernav one
http://www.bimmernav.com/store/catal...-item-241.html

[dreme]

there are other topic about this nav

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=417052

[Alpine328i]

I know there are other topics on the idea, however the other main thread has a few different brands of units in it (i.e. Haulingan sp?, Dynavin, etc).

I posted to let you all know that i bought the Dynavin one and will update this thread throughout the install and usage so others can see the real unit, real installation photos, videos of it in use, and a review of it.

I should have it by the end of the week!

[d33v00n3h]

Which one did you buy?

[fdriller9]

You realize that the thread below yours is about the same thing.....

[Alpine328i]

I bought the Dynavin. I got it in today and here are some initial pictures, thoughts, etc.

Pictures of the unit and accessories:








Initial Thoughts:
Seems a bit more complex to install than my previous Audi unit and definitely way more complex than the bimmernav installation PDF suggests. The unit has two holes in the face where screws are supposed to go but it does come with plugs to put into them once installed so it doesn't look trashy. I need to figure out how the screws work and also how the brackets it came with work. This will all be in my installation guide once finished.

I got a brief session with the unit powered on and i must say that i like the new interface, it can be seen on their site by looking at the other BMW units they sell. I will get pictures soon of it once my camera charges.

Installation should be relatively easy though, it is pretty much plug and play. This unit looks as though you need to run one wire to the fuse box for constant 12V source, and the rest should just be connecting the harnesses and running wires for the GPS Antenna and such. Also the speaker wires in this unit are a nice thick gauge, so i hope there will not be any bleed through noise that the units in the E46 experienced.

This unit should work with standard and hifi sound systems, not logic7 though.

This was a quick post so give more questions and i will answer them to the best of my abilities!

Also i am not too fond of the solution for the seat heater controls as my car has wood trim and not the brushed aluminum. Metra makes a kit which does away with the door but also it loses the cig lighter:
http://www.12voltnews.com/?p=17376
I would ideally want something in between both of these. I may look into have something custom done so i can keep both.

[Alpine328i]

Originally Posted by *********

You realize that the thread below yours is about the same thing.....

Wow thats amazing. Maybe if you read both threads you would see that i am the first to buy it and post pictures, and soon to be a review and installation guide. Thus my thread is not the same as the one below it...

Thanks though!

[d33v00n3h]

The unit looks pretty good. I'm looking forward to your DIY install, I was really considering buying one of these but the thought of paying 1k+ for a shop to install it on top of the price of the unit really was deterring me. GL

[Alpine328i]

Originally Posted by d33v00n3h

The unit looks pretty good. I'm looking forward to your DIY install, I was really considering buying one of these but the thought of paying 1k+ for a shop to install it on top of the price of the unit really was deterring me. GL

What shop quoted you $1000?!

This thing shouldn't be hard to install at all, but i will definitely include a good DIY. Maybe the site i got it from will do a GB on them too.

Will keep you guys posted!

[d33v00n3h]

Yep. Got quoted about 1k for install.. Could you make sure when you do the DIY to not skip any steps no matter how small they may seem. It's my biggest pet peeve when a DIY skips a few steps assuming that others know how to do it. I'd rather have too much info then not enough. Ty

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by Alpine328i

Wow thats amazing. Maybe if you read both threads you would see that i am the first to buy it and post pictures, and soon to be a review and installation guide. Thus my thread is not the same as the one below it...

Thanks though!

You posted the review after I commented.....and no where in your original thread did you mention that it was a review of the product.

My apologies for calling you out, but before you posted your review....it was technically a repost.

[Alpine328i]

Originally Posted by d33v00n3h

Yep. Got quoted about 1k for install.. Could you make sure when you do the DIY to not skip any steps no matter how small they may seem. It's my biggest pet peeve when a DIY skips a few steps assuming that others know how to do it. I'd rather have too much info then not enough. Ty

NO problem! Its tough because i just want to run out and throw it in right now but i will have to hold myself back until i can get ample time to do it and document every step.

[mech888]

I am within days of ordering a 2011 335d and honestly I was ordering the car with idrive, bt, and the hk system. Should I not and just buy this after the car comes in??!!!

[woodpecka]

subscribed!

[E91toG05]

Originally Posted by mech888

I am within days of ordering a 2011 335d and honestly I was ordering the car with idrive, bt, and the hk system. Should I not and just buy this after the car comes in??!!!

yes if you are ok taking a brand new $40k car and ripping apart the dash to install a Chinese radio that will not be fully integrated with the car and not covered by your bmw warranty...

microphone will be worse
interface will be worse
quality will be worse

this looks like a nice option for folks stuck with a car without nav who really want it, but if you are starting from scratch you should do it "right"

[B-737]

wow, this is pretty amazing solution for those of us without idrive and the stock radio...

I have plans on paying BMW significant coin to change my headunit out to enable satalite radio, when i look at this thing, for a few hundred more dollars you get touch screen navi, back up cam options, and an AUX port you can pipe in satellite to.

I like how it intagrates with steering wheel controls.

Alpine, good luck with install keep us posted.
also... i wonder how its back lighting is controlled. When you control your instrument panel dimming through the stalk will it dim with the rest of the instruments properly?

[Alpine328i]

Here are a few snapshots of the interface. It is far from fully functioning since its not installed in the car and i do not have much connected to it since its not in the car but its a good start.






I will load the nav software up tomorrow and get some pictures of it as well as trying various external devices with it (iPod, SD card, flash drive).

[Alpine328i]

Originally Posted by B-737

Alpine, good luck with install keep us posted.
also... i wonder how its back lighting is controlled. When you control your instrument panel dimming through the stalk will it dim with the rest of the instruments properly?

In theory it will work with the stalk control. The unit has a silver box pictured above that is the CANBUS box and communicates with the CANBUS of the car. Thus how the steering wheel controls work. The back lighting should perfectly match the stock lighting too, my Audi did.

[///M3NACE]

can controls from the steering wheel work? It looks kind of weird...not so oemish more pioneerish

[B-737]

good work Alpine, it looks sweet.

ihsans, yes its features state that it integrates with steering wheel controls

[jazza]

Why do you say it will not work with L7?
The amplifier is digital, but the signal that arrives at the source is analog and is the same (Professional) is HIFI, is L7???
Will lose the DSP effects, but the rest??