ugaexploder's 2004 SG/IR - 1st e46 M3

[ugaexploder]

Pulled the rear seats to make my life easier getting the rear door cards out. In my haste to rip out the degrading sound deadening under the rear seats, I think I accidentally started ripping out the sound deadening under the rear bolsters which are different part numbers 51488204059 and 51488204060. The one under the seat is 51488252759 which has been ordered and apparently different from the ones we get from the factory (it has carpet on it).







Also changed out the upper portion of the rear armrests with the new trim. One thing I noticed is that there are many videos and DIY guides on separating armrest trim, and I think they are mostly wrong on the approach or strategy.

The guides always start by removing the padded portion by prying from the trim. I think the best way is to actually pry the plastic lower portion from the trim first by using trim tools as wedges and of course the most important tool when doing this is actually a 90-degree pick/trim tool. I've seen people try pushing on the tabs inside...this is not possible. What you need to do is pull on what those tabs are latching to using the 90-degree pick tool while also prying or using a trim tool to wedge the trim and plastic apart.

I used a glue gun to keep the padded part attached to the new trim. I'm probably going to have to cut some of the glue off so the plastic lower portion can fit I noticed...

[ugaexploder]

Decided to take a break from the fitment annoyance with the final stage resistor install so decided to route some cable.

Route aftermarket mic and phone cable (main radar line) up A-pillar, video component cable from head unit to trunk, and phone cable from power block near fuse box to head unit area. Wanted to start with the a-pillar area since I knew it was going to be a pain since it's a tight fit. In hindsight, I should have started with the mic cable since they are more difficult to remake connections. The phone cable I decided to cut it and recrimp a RJ-11 connector since I could not wirefish it through the hole.

[ugaexploder]

Decided to throw on the passenger side door card after tightening up the wobbly side view mirror. Also needed to apply some new butyl adhesive for the vapor barrier as there were several spots where the previous adhesive was either pulled back or failed over time.

Also decided to go with a black airbag logo since the red ones are NLA and the ones I have look like ass. The contrast and proportion actually looks decent

[ugaexploder]

I thought pretty long and hard about which head unit to go with mainly because the Avin and Dynavin units look extremely attractive maintaining a factory appearance. Some of the reasons I didn't go with one of these was that there are many different options and configurations, and the install differs a bit when compared to a traditional aftermarket head unit. The units seem to have a lot of options, and knowing me I would probably want them all which would in turn make the install more tedious for things I don't really want or need.

What is important to me: apple carplay, physical volume knob, and ease-of-installation. I've always liked Sony even though they never really had the best internal amp, but I enjoy their products for the most part. Also has a front charger which I'll probably come to hate, but there aren't many options to charge your phone in this car...I don't want to fiddle around and make USB connections so I thought this would be a good way to charge the
phone too. Hopefully better than 2A or whatever those little cigarette chargers can do.

I went with the Sony XAV-AX1000. Unit is probably 5 years old now, and they make newer, possibly better ones now but all without a physical control knob. Positive is they mostly seem to have the upper din design allowing them to fit easily around the hvac plastic venting/tube thing. You can find these new for $300...honestly surprised they are still selling them. I'm going to use a cotton swab or q-tip with nail polish remover to get rid of the Sony and Sirius XM logos.

Now, I have no affiliation with Enfig, but they absolutely make everything you need if you decide to go with a Sony head unit. I pretty much ordered everything they sold minus the relo kit since I begrudgingly forked out the money for OE one. They also have 2 really awesome install videos with great commentary.

https://shop.enfigcarstereo.com/bmw-...acement-parts/


Install Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atWA..._channel=Enfig

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqAw..._channel=Enfig




This is what the back of my HU looks like...nothing like the stock photo, 0 usb outs compared to 2 shown in the photo. Oh well.

[ugaexploder]

Previous owner, or the previous owner of the previous owner had some speaker work done...not professionally

Thankfully, they didn't hack in to many wires or anything like that, but they did cut off the connectors in the rear...so I had to order these...I think I'm going to wait until I pull the rear glass when I start on the carbon fiber roof as I don't want to be kneeling on the rear seats with a soldering iron in a cramped space

[ugaexploder]

Some more pics of the ashtray. Will probably just use some 3m double-sided tape for the concealed display since it's flopping around now ever since I removed the two center prongs.

[ugaexploder]

The little felt tape or fabric that was glued on the edges of the door card started lifting in some areas. Decided to use some DAP weldwood contact cement (probably the same everyone uses) to reapply the fabric to the door card.

The trim was purchased off eBay through "dbcarparts" and is pretty good. I did order some M-stitching through them, and personally I would not recommend it. There is another eBay seller known as "maar-shop" who does the absolute best work. I purchased my steering wheel, hand brake/boot cover, and shifter boot from them.

[ugaexploder]

Need to learn to solder.. electronics scare me.

Awesome build brotha!

thanks man, if you're in the ATL area I'd be more than happy to show you some basics

I wish I had more things to solder and play around with, used to get a lot of practice back in the day when people used to mod their gaming consoles

[Zhpghost]

Need to learn to solder.. electronics scare me.

Awesome build brotha!

[ugaexploder]

Sick PC case, and a great choice on the solder station, I love the Hakkos.

I was surprised how fast it gets up to temp. I've always had some crummy soldering iron, so it was a huge jump for me

[Sid_E46]

Sick PC case, and a great choice on the solder station, I love the Hakkos.

[ugaexploder]

Nice updates, Cars looking really good.

Much appreciated! Hope to get the radio in by this weekend.

Just waiting on a new mic and component cable for the rear view camera

[0-60motorsports]

Nice updates, Cars looking really good.

[ugaexploder]

I've been using valentine as my radar detector for years, don't think that's going to change anytime soon so I decided to modify my ashtray to fit the concealed display unit (makes it look like my radar detector is off while cruising).

I think I'm actually going to buy another ashtray as you only really need to modify the side opening to allow an RJ-11 cable in. The four prongs inside actually make it so the concealed display unit fits super snug...

[ugaexploder]

I removed center console, radio, all that crap minus the shifter. Holy crap this thing is on! I probably need to put my heat gun on it for a little bit...it looks brand new from the conversion PO had done.