BMW E36 Blog

Scott, a reader of the BMW E36 Blog, has sent me some info about a project that he’s working on. The project is actually a carputer (Car Computer) that will be installed in his 1997 318is and will be handling the GPS, music, phone calls (Freehand) and reverse camera. The idea is really cool and I think Scott has accomplished most of the project. Here’s a video of the touch screen installed in the car:

For more details about the project and the components used, please refer to Scott’s website
here. Thanks Scott for the great info.

BMW E36 Blog: The Ultimate E36 Information Source.

I wrote about Bluetooth Ready Headunits For Your BMW before and I suggested the Pioneer (DEH-P7900BT) and the Sony (MEX-BT2500) headunits to be used in your BMW cars. The only problem that I could see and didn’t like about these two types was the blue illumination which didn’t exactly fit into your BMW car illumination. I’ve received some comments about other types that are designed with the same purpose in mind. One of these is the Alpine iDA-X001. This headunit is designed for iPod users and integrates flawlessly with them. This headunit doesn’t have integrated CD-ROM. Only Radio + iPod connection to play and manipulate your songs inside your car. This is a really cool way to store and play your music. It has almost the same interface that you use to play music using your iPod. And best of all, it can work as a car phone kit at the same time by using the Alpine Car Bluetooth Adapter. If you are not impressed with all what I’ve just said, I’m sure you will be when I tell you that this receiver can illuminate in either Blue or Red colors which will make it look great in your BMW E36 console. I’ve prepared some photos for this Alpine headunit for you to check out. Please take a look and let me know what you think. Oh, yes, I just wanted to thank Alexander for the photos that he sent me.

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate E36 information source.

My brother is a big fan of car phone kits. He’s always trying to find the best one and comparing between them etc etc. I didn’t care much about them and I usually use the traditional way to talk on the phone while driving. That is one hand holding the phone and the other is adjusting my head unit 😆 . I also, hated installing car phone kits because it usually involves a lot of hassle. So, I’ve been avoiding this until I realized that the cops are not going to go easy on the issue of talking on the phone while driving.

A year ago, I had a brilliant idea (at least that’s what I thought) that why the big boys like Pioneer and Sony are not manufacturing head units that have Bluetooth units integrated inside them. Which means that these head units can act as a music player + a phone kit at the same time. The head unit is usually connected to the car sound system remember? Yesterday, I discovered that I’m not the only one who thought about this and that this is already done 🙁 . I’ve found two examples for such head units , one from Pioneer (Pioneer DEH-P7900BT)

And the other from Sony (Sony MEX-BT2500)

The only thing that I hate about these two is the illumination color. It’s Blue. I wish they’ve made another type with Amber illumination. It would look and act great inside my BMW E36.

What do you think of my idea which has been stolen by Pioneer and Sony 😆 . Should I go and claim my invention? :p

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate E36 information source.