[335iheLLraiseR]

Hi Guys, well since i've had my PROcede the way to load maps and datalog has bugged me. I have seen some recent improvements in the location of the usb namely by, lkraven his post will prove helpful in threading the cable through the firewall.
his thread is here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65147
Much like he credits his thread as not being a new innovation just a build up of previous DIYs, i will do the same. This just takes things one step further.

After much thought, the only place that i felt comfortable placing a usb outlet would be in the armrest. But i was then worried about dealership visits and people asking why there was a usb in the armrest. After considering just drilling a hole in the tray, like Calvino did with the LED in the armrest, i figured the only way around this was to place it in an OEM location, so much so that anyone would easily assume it was a factory option. So, i did some homework, and started this thread a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81956
So, since i my car did not have the 6Fl option only the lame aux input. I decided to mount an OEM fake 6FL, and in place of the USB input, an input for my PROcede.

read and see below for detail and parts for whomever is interested.

OEM usb socket purchaed for $39.99


now take it apart, it has 3 smaller components, 1 for the usb and 2 little one for the aux jack.


if you have ever wondered what that aux jack consists of, here you go, garbage. No wonder it sounds like shit.


take the usb setion and you are going to remove the the metal housing from the rest of it. this is what is going to hold your usb cable in place.Also, this is the hard part, since i didn't kow if it would hold up i had to be very delicate.


now that you have your housing, get ahold of a long usb cable, the one i used was 16ft and cost $5.You need to shed away most of the exterior plastic surrounding the end of the usb cable in order for it to fit inside (just like factory)


now just slide that housing back into place just like when removing it, and reassemble the part with the aux jack.



and honestly this is the best part, the little retracting door still works perfectly, now is that cool or what?


UPDATE: 10/2/2007 ***FINISHED***

alright guys, finally finished installing the cable. Below are the pics. Due to the comments by Tintivilus, i realized that i might need another little adaptor. the first couple of pictures are of me testing out said adaptor and the length of the cord, the adaptor, and my software to make sure that everything was fine.




now, Ilkraven stated that if you feed the cable through the opening in the firewall, you should not encounter any resistance, yeah sure buddy. as you can see in the pictures i had to use a coat hanger to guide it through. one picture is with one end on the ECu side and the other pics is on the interior underneath the glove box.




from there, i routed the cable from behind the passenger seat trim panel through the ebrake opening to the opening where the original aux jack was.



now just reassemble the housing and you are done.





total cost: about $50, 40 for the socket and 5 for the usb cable amd 5 for the demale to female adaptor. it actually took me longer to write this up than to do the whole operation. it will also help if you have a dremel.

any questions fire away.

thanks guys for looking, just wanted to share it with everyone.

[335iheLLraiseR]

going to install it tomorrow, i'll post up pics as well.

[zenmaster]

Why did you not go with bluetooth?

[335iheLLraiseR]

$350? i can buy 2 V2 upgrades for that and still have enough to fill up the tank. Besides, i don't mind transmitting a ringtone via bluetooth, but not the software that my engine uses to operate on a daily basis. (no offense Eugen)

[zenmaster]

You do understand that a bad data link won't screw up your software?

[335iheLLraiseR]

yes, i know that, but besides that i just didn't see a need to go that far. plus, this was more fun. i actually like the fact that its in a factory location more so than what it actually does. (it sounds ridiculous, but you get my point) Eugen has a great product, but i bet he didn't come up with it for the money, he had an idea and went with it.
i had an idea in my head and did the same thing.

[zenmaster]

Sounds good. Just asking because I was going to experiment with a bluetooth setup - also for learning. Wasn't planning on spending more than $100.

[533ogetnom]

Originally Posted by zenmaster

You do understand that a bad data link won't screw up your software?

oh yea bluetooth is immune to any form of corruption (not saying anythings wrong with it just poking fun at your ridiculous statement)

[zenmaster]

Originally Posted by 533ogetnom

oh yea bluetooth is immune to any form of corruption (not saying anythings wrong with it just poking fun at your ridiculous statement)

Didn't say that. It is just that a corrupted link won't corrupt your software load. (data is checked)

[e90AW335i]

Don't worry about the haters, it looks good bro, post some more when you get done. I am sure Shiv will like this setup......

[zenmaster]

yeah, it's all about hate.

[e90AW335i]

Originally Posted by zenmaster

yeah, it's all about hate.

Just giving positive feedback Zen......

[zenmaster]

Originally Posted by kyleh4852

Just giving positive feedback Zen......

Don't worry about it.

[DrewKo]

That's beautiful man. I wish you lived in Atlanta so I could pay you to install one in my ride.

[Bimmer335i07]

Nice idea! Can't wait to see the final install. Should be nice, since it will look like OEM.

[335iheLLraiseR]

Originally Posted by DrewKo

That's beautiful man. I wish you lived in Atlanta so I could pay you to install one in my ride.

lol...it really isn't hard at all. But i'll know how the rest goes tonight. these steps took, maybe 10 minutes.

Originally Posted by Bimmer335i07

Nice idea! Can't wait to see the final install. Should be nice, since it will look like OEM.

thats was my goal. i love the fact that i used an oem housing.

Originally Posted by kyleh4852

Don't worry about the haters, it looks good bro, post some more when you get done. I am sure Shiv will like this setup......

hope he does, i'll make him one, if he gives me a status on V2 order...lol


thanks for all of the feedback guys.

[bronco]

Looks good. Really good! : Let us know how long will it take you to route that USB cable to the engine bay

[Stealth2]

Originally Posted by 533ogetnom

oh yea bluetooth is immune to any form of corruption (not saying anythings wrong with it just poking fun at your ridiculous statement)

Read before you post, and especially do so before you criticize.

[Park2670]

I think this idea is ingenious! Very smart to use the OEM housing. Keep up the good work

[BoostedBMW]

Very cool write up. Keep us posted on how you decide to run the USB cable into the ECU compartment.

[335iheLLraiseR]

Originally Posted by bronco

Looks good. Really good! : Let us know how long will it take you to route that USB cable to the engine bay

Originally Posted by Park2670

I think this idea is ingenious! Very smart to use the OEM housing. Keep up the good work

thanks....i know right..!?!..i've been padding myself on the back ever since i came up with. my wife looks at like i'm crazy. I get this brand new part from BMW and she sits there watching me tear it apart with a screwdriver and hammer. I was really worried about this in the begining, because i didn't know if the jack in the back where it plugs into the radio was a 2 in 1 or a seperate input for the aux and one for the usb. thank god that gamble paid off and i'm not going to lose my aux jack, which just makes it such a cooler mod. Absolutley no sacrifices, no cutting, or removing anything that was previously there.

Originally Posted by BoostedBMW

Very cool write up. Keep us posted on how you decide to run the USB cable into the ECU compartment.

thanks for the compliment. I'm probably going to use the previous DIY on the glovebox usb install mentioned above to go through the firewall and then use the instructions below to route the cable through the center console. both ends should meet up when the console meets the back of the glove box.

post # 2 has a pdf attached to it with instruction on installation.

edit: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83201

[tintivilus]

I was thinking it might be nicer to mount the cable in the glove box using the bracket from the USB/iPod retrofit kit.

Part I in the installation instructions

One problem is that if you're using a female A connector for the Procede, you'll need a funny cable to connect to your laptop. What you really want is a female B (or mini-B) connector, so you can use a bog-standard A-B (or A-miniB) cable.

A full-size B won't fit in a bracket meant for an A, but a mini-B probably would. It'd just be a matter of finding a cable with a female Mini-B connector on one end, or wiring something up by hand.

Edit: son of a bitch. That was way easier than I expected. http://www.buyextras.com/usbfetomib5f.html

Edit Edit (maybe I should start replying to myself): You also need to be careful with those 16-foot extensions; the USB spec calls out a maximum cable length of 5m (16.4ft)... how long is the cable on your USB->Serial adapter? I've had problems in the past with USB devices (cameras, specifically) flaking out as the cable length gets up there.