Mo's E39 530i Individual

[NtandoN]

Wow very interesting project :clapper:

 

[Dewald Basson]

Since I did the Android part already, here's a quick share on some of the elements. You can probably experiment with this on your phone quite easily.

There are 2 parts to this:

1) Building the screen background with all the graphics
2) Software - a bit of trial and error here (in next post)

Here's the first part on the screen background, which you can build in any decent Photoshop or equivalent software. It's just a matter of adding layers for the icons and labels. Here's what I did:

Got the background from mp3 car forum (Link). Just need to search a bit to find one you like from anywhere I guess.

Base background:

Here's my layers - I would suggest using software that allows you to add them in steps, so it's easy to back and change/amend any item later. For example, you can replace "weather" with "mail" quite easily if the text and icons are separate layers. (I use a package called GIMP on my MAC, which is the freeware equivalent of PhotoShop)

Layers added at each step:

For the icons, I simply used Google images to search for them. Make sure you find vector based images, so you can paste with a blank background. For example: search for "white radio icon vector". Took me a few hours to find everything.

For text, I chose Helvicta font, but that's just preference.

Happy to share actual GIMP source files, if anyone has a MAC and wants them, instead of searching for the icons and images.

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Software used - all from Google Play Store:

1) Nova Launcher to replace the stock home screen. Gives you a blank new home screen and some customization options.

2) GMD to autohide the Android softkeys (i.e. the 3 stock Android virtual buttons)

3) Desktop VisualizeR - this creates "blank" or invisible shortcuts on your home screen for any application. This is how you overlay all the apps you need on your Photoshopped background created before this.

The rest is basically experimental and up to you. I loaded Autosleeper so the tablet goes on with Ignition power and goes to sleep when I shut down the car. No need to hit the physical power button. Clock, weather widget, virtual sound control, etc are all up to you - lots in the store that you can try out. I'm still playing around with these.

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Very cool :clapper:

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

This is really cool!! I have a droid tablet laying around.. Should get it going again and try a mod like this too! Schweet! :cartel::coolShake:

 

[msm]

Managed to do some small part of the install this weekend.

Front speaker baffles built and new MTX 6.5" speakers installed. Test fit picture:

:ty: Big thanks to Spiro for the MDF :ty:

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Also finished the tablet fitment within the facia. Trimmed the front panel (around the front of the tablet) to cover the sides of the tablet, so it looks like "flat OEM screen" and not a tablet. 2 pics from different angles:

All cabling will be completely hidden at the back. Still need to build some mount points that are removable. Exploring options, but probably going to use a magnetic holder so that I can remove the trim easily, if I need to get the tablet out, but still secure enough not to fall out during normal use. However, all that is behind the tablet and will be hidden from view.

 

[sash]

Nice and neat.

 

[that_guy_Ettiene]

Looks amazing..very neat

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[BeemerFanatic]

Very nicely done :clapper:

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Very nice Mo :clapper:

 

[msm]

Update - Made some progress with the install:

Infinity 10" flat sub installed in infinite baffle/open air config. There's a sheet of MDF and a few layers of sound proofing behind the grey carpet. Lost about 5-10 cm of boot depth, but achieved my objective of not having a separate sub box. Some untidy cable ties temporarily to hold the carpet up for now.

Alpine 4 channel amp installed under rear shelf, running the splits in front and single sub in the rear. Unless you bend down and look for it, can't really notice the amp when the boot is open.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

The install looks very neat

 

[msm]

Moving to the front - behind the scenes of the tablet:

Made a small passive 2-to-4 RCA splitter box. Can replace this with an equalizer/pre-amp later - hence my approach for future flexibility. Short term plan (as shown in pic) is to use the headphone jack on the tablet into the splitter. Long term solution will be a USB DAC for better quality, possibly with upfront pre-amp.

Sound quality is very good. I'm getting a bit of line noise from the tablet itself. Plugged in my iPhone to test and it was gone. Guess I can't expect audiophile quality from a sub R1000 tablet headphone jack. However, once I go USB DAC, it should be fine, but gonna live with the line noise for now.

Still need to find a shorter power cable for the tablet to reduce some of the clutter.

I also left the original radio "cage" in place, which would make it relatively easy for me to put the stock head unit back, should I ever need to. Obviously, would need to rework some of the wiring, but that's fairly easy as everything can be done from the front now.

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And now for the tablet in the dash:

Side view shows it is relatively flush. If I pull out the radio cage, it could go in a few mm's more, but I think it sits ok for now.

Random Torque screenshot

And a view with it off. A smallish little mod in this pic, showing the steering wrapped in 3M black brush vinyl as the original was peeling.

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And lastly, of no benefit to the install, I washed the car this morning...

 

[VictorMike]

:clapper::clapper::clapper::clapper::clapper::clapper::clapper::clapper::clapper::clapper:

 

[TBP88]

That looks VERY cool.

Great job man!

 

[DINODENASH]

wow that looks off the cheese curls !!!
Love it !

 

[Nobz330i]

Looks great.

 

[tyu333]

Too nice


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[ChefDJ]

Very neat :slow:

 

[AshG108]

wow! just wow!!!!

Bravo!! raise:raise:raise:raise:raise:

 

[ChrisBrand]

Brilliant stuff!

 

[danieltau]

too neat :clapper: