Install a PC in your BMW?

GridX · 08-22-2006, 05:41 PM

I was wondering if anyone has installed a PC in their BMW, I am thinking of installing a X100 XPC shuttle in my 2006 330xi. I have a nav screen and I saw the DIY on installing the adapter to play dvds on the nav screen. This could probably be used to display the OS of the PC. However, I am maybe thinking of installing a second screen and using a separate power source perhaps or maybe not. Not sure.

just wanted to know if any of you guys have done this? I have seen lots done in the MP3Car forums but not too much with our BMWs.

GridX

Richwm · 08-22-2006, 05:56 PM

I dont know about a PC but someone did a Mini-MAC.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17244

XxLancaxX · 09-25-2006, 12:56 PM

Your going to run into major eletrical problems. Dont know if id reccomend doing it. If your car was non-navigation/i drive id say go for it. But your risking causing alot of damage. Our E90's contain a bunch of fiber optic wiring also. If your looking to play movies you can install an adapter called Dvd2Nav i think is what its called and it wil letyou watch movies on the nav screen. Otherwise just be careful!

Itd be a cool mod tho.

nickganga · 09-25-2006, 04:00 PM

Here is a Mac install. It should be roughly the same for a PC

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29911

T7R_Sky · 09-26-2006, 12:45 AM

Hey, I was wondering... what size is the screen for iDrive? And what resolution does it run at?

gmcwv · 09-26-2006, 08:39 AM

A couple reasons I went with a mini vs a pc is that the mini has a built in remote and controls the front row application very nicely. I am modding the remote wire now to make it longer so that I can run it out of the case and to the top of the navi unit along side of the nav2go remote sensor. You could get a remote to attach to a pc but then you would have to program it to do what you want (the mac has already done that for you).

Most of the benefits of putting in a pc vs a mac don't really apply to us..for example, pc's have better nav systems (we don't need that). They have a better controlled front end....only if you have a touch screen. I have looked at getting a touch screen overlay, that i could attach to the lcd of the navi screen but that would involve taking out the plastic front....I really thought about it....and went against it.

Now I am a PC guy but I went with a mac for this application and really like ....I'm not going to get into any PC vs Mac debate, but IMO I think the mini works best for what "I" wanted.

If anyone does decide to put in a PC let us know I would like to see how it goes.

08-22-2006, 05:41 PM	#1
GridX New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Edmonton, Canada iTrader: (0)	Install a PC in your BMW? I was wondering if anyone has installed a PC in their BMW, I am thinking of installing a X100 XPC shuttle in my 2006 330xi. I have a nav screen and I saw the DIY on installing the adapter to play dvds on the nav screen. This could probably be used to display the OS of the PC. However, I am maybe thinking of installing a second screen and using a separate power source perhaps or maybe not. Not sure. just wanted to know if any of you guys have done this? I have seen lots done in the MP3Car forums but not too much with our BMWs. GridX
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08-22-2006, 05:56 PM	#2
Richwm Captain 65 Rep 920 Posts Drives: 06 E90 330i 6MT, 01 E46 330i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canyon Country, CA. iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Jeep JLU Wrangler [0.00] 2006 (Mar 05 build ... [8.00] 2001 330i [9.00]	I dont know about a PC but someone did a Mini-MAC. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17244 __________________ Mar 05 Build date,2006 E90 330i, Sport Package, Premium Package, TR MT-1's . V-1 Hard-wired power with custom V-1 Concealment Display . Rear fogs, Rear power outlet's, M short shifter knob, BlackLines, BMW Strut tower bar, CDV Delete, Front M3 wishbones + tension struts, BMW Performance shocks and springs, BMW Performance Brake kit F&R, OEM short shift kit. Rear M3 Guide rods and Wishbones. 2006 E-90 330i with 302,000 miles.
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09-25-2006, 12:56 PM	#3
XxLancaxX Captain 49 Rep 954 Posts Drives: 2008 AW 335xi Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago!! iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00] 2006 C6 Supercharg ... [0.00]	Your going to run into major eletrical problems. Dont know if id reccomend doing it. If your car was non-navigation/i drive id say go for it. But your risking causing alot of damage. Our E90's contain a bunch of fiber optic wiring also. If your looking to play movies you can install an adapter called Dvd2Nav i think is what its called and it wil letyou watch movies on the nav screen. Otherwise just be careful! Itd be a cool mod tho.
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09-25-2006, 04:00 PM	#4
nickganga Private 7 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335d [0.00]	Here is a Mac install. It should be roughly the same for a PC http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29911
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09-26-2006, 12:45 AM	#5
T7R_Sky "I know you know that I know you know..." 25 Rep 795 Posts Drives: Sparkling Graphite E90 328i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Escondido, CA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 E90 328i [0.00]	Hey, I was wondering... what size is the screen for iDrive? And what resolution does it run at?
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09-26-2006, 08:39 AM	#6
gmcwv Private First Class 7 Rep 112 Posts Drives: '06 330i Sport Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern WV iTrader: (0)	A couple reasons I went with a mini vs a pc is that the mini has a built in remote and controls the front row application very nicely. I am modding the remote wire now to make it longer so that I can run it out of the case and to the top of the navi unit along side of the nav2go remote sensor. You could get a remote to attach to a pc but then you would have to program it to do what you want (the mac has already done that for you). Most of the benefits of putting in a pc vs a mac don't really apply to us..for example, pc's have better nav systems (we don't need that). They have a better controlled front end....only if you have a touch screen. I have looked at getting a touch screen overlay, that i could attach to the lcd of the navi screen but that would involve taking out the plastic front....I really thought about it....and went against it. Now I am a PC guy but I went with a mac for this application and really like ....I'm not going to get into any PC vs Mac debate, but IMO I think the mini works best for what "I" wanted. If anyone does decide to put in a PC let us know I would like to see how it goes.
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