M3AN

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SBNHGZ7/

Oh dear. Although it does reveal that the glove box isn't sagging (which is what I thought was the problem). I've not seen a cover fall off like that before.

It is true that I accumulate coins at a fraction of the rate that I used to. It's not really a big problem for me but the convenience of the one in the e36 (door pocket version) is a nice to have. Once every six months I'd accumulate enough for a Lotto ticket. Still keepin' coins.

Well, now I have nowhere to store coins so maybe I just chuck them out the window so they don't get lost/jammed anywhere? Having removed the centre console and looked below it's obvious there's enough space for a better design with more storage, including for coins. I never drink in cars so I'm looking at options to repurpose the cup holder for coin storage.

I installed the storage tray replacement for the front ashtray today, happy with the result. Before: During: After:

I've just installed a similar unit in my 1'er, they'll all pretty much clones. Don't pay that amount though...they're in perpetual sale at Avin for US$329. https://avinusa.com/gps-multimedia-systems/bmw/3-and-4-series.html Now, I'm not recommending Avin 100% because they sent me the wrong unit but they have been responsive to support requests and did send me the correct unit that I swapped in yesterday and it seems fine. My car is a Japanese import and I replaced the existing CCC 6.5" screen. It uses the existing iDrive controller although mine is 1 button so I can't speak to multi-button iDrive (CIC) units. To be honest, except for the hassle of exchange I'm pretty happy. Navigation with offline maps (or tethered or with a SIM) works flawlessly and BT for music and calls seems fine. Make sure you add the external mic to the bundle. The screen itself is awesome. Others have had positive experience with different brands and Alibaba specials so I'd base my decision on price and support expectations, they seem to be the only differentiators. Happy to answer any questions I can.

Difficult to know what to show...

I'm happy to report that the new Android unit is far superior to the last. It has the 4/64GB as described above but also had a later build number by a whole version (2.x -> 3.x), although both are Android 9. The new version comes with only one skin verses the previous five but it's the most modern one and default on the previous unit. Bluetooth works really well, the connection is quick and stable, it seems I can use it for calls now Some quirks with the iDrive controller seem to have been addressed They threw in an external mic for my trouble and it's so much better than the internal one, highly recommended As a result of the ext. mic calls and Google Now (voice assist) have worked flawlessly so far The Avin WiFi adaptor works fine with Torque but not Carly (I didn't expect it to but it was worth trying) The splash screen has changed from "BMW Connected Drive" to "AVIN" and I need to explore how to change this Device is pre-rooted ($ prompt) which is ideal for me Physically it's the same unit and I just swapped over the base and screen rather than pulling the existing cables, except for adding the mic, which was easily accommodated between the unit and the instrument binnacle. My original box said 4/64GB and the unit said 2/32GB (which I didn't look for until I suspected something was wrong), this box says 4/64GB as does the label on the unit and the info screens. Having played around with it for an hour or so I'm much happier now than I was a few days ago, it pretty much works as I hoped it might. The one thing that it doesn't do elegantly is radio. It relies on the OEM radio unit (accepted) and as a result there's no real integration and when listening to the radio Android nav (audio) and phone don't work so well.

Swapped the 2GB Avin unit out for the 4GB unit today... nothing really worth showing because it looks the same. I did take the opportunity to add some thin rubber tape in strategic places in the hope of eliminating (or at least reducing) the squeaks. They threw in an external microphone for the inconvenience and it's got 64GB of internal memory instead of 32GB but it was still a PITA to have to go though the process. And now I have to return a massive box to China... ? Centre console needs to come out tomorrow or Monday so I can install the storage tray that arrived the other day, typical of BMW it's not an easy swap. The black side markers are growing on me.

I was actually going to say that... got as far as editing my post above and then thought... "no Dave, let it be"... It did deserve to be said though...

Yeah, I agree... $15k is a sharp price if it drives well. Spend another $5k on it and it could be mint.

Wow, that looks fantastic, well done. Did you use adhesive backed Alcantra (wrap) or did you glue it yourself? And what colour code Alcantara do you recall? As a matter of interest how do you find the 135 compared to the Evo? I've had a couple of Evo's in my time, loved them to bits as a driver's car.

Not much more, I promise! ?

Black LED side markers with progressive activation (the LED's light up in order like a flash new car). For some reason I'm not 100% sold but the stock ones that came off were in pretty bad shape so these will stay for a while. Clay bar, cut, polish, and ceramic nano coating ($79) booked in for Wed next week, will be interesting to see how she turns out. Only a few more packages to arrive before I can have a rest... ?

Interior pics up, interesting combo.

Only the blue ones... ?

And the e36 M3 is the best M3 ever built!

And by the same person, trolling...

Yes, thanks for the reminder... I put a few things in my 130 thread so dig in there also. Delivery was DHL, tracked, txt updates and web tracking, it arrived faster than I expected it to, less than a week. There aren't any instructions but most of it is self-explanatory, disassembling and cutting the dash and routing the wiring to your liking will take the most time. They incorrectly sent me a 2GB unit but my 4GB replacement is expected on Friday. The touch screen is WAY better than I expected it to be, it's bright, clear and responsive, I'm very happy with this aspect, you don't need glare guards even in direct sunlight. Away from the main interface you have all Google Play services so you can log into the store and download apps and offline maps really easily (assuming you have an internet connection, BT or WiFi). You can't load these as a start/home screen though (e.g. boot to Torque) The various audio interfaces are less than ideal; OEM audio + Android music + nav (separate speaker) + BT all gets a bit confused most of the time... now, that could be me but I'm not sure I'm that incompetent. I'm going to try to set it all up again from fresh with the 4GB unit. The real added value for me is widescreen nav at the moment because I don't listen to a lot of music. The music player supports local, AUX, USB and BT and is pretty elegant and can show album art and tags. But the rest? I hardly use. I've added no cameras or extra sensors so can't talk to them. Support was prompt but I ran into a 'policy roadblock' at the 2GB -> 4GB exchange and that took some time (and a brief escalation to PayPal) to sort out. They're exactly the same unit as sold across Alibaba and eBay but with some assurance of support. They do not ship or provide support from the US despite the "USA" in their name. I don't think that's made a difference though. If you want specific other info ask away, happy to try and answer.

Well you have to wonder... I can't imagine so for a few more years. People are still paying $6k+ for a sorted e36 328! I suspect it's just that most (boy racers?) are too focused on the 135 to see the real nugget.

BMW - #51167136190 (single part comes with the rubber mat, you don't need to get that separately). I shopped around a bit and ended up getting mine from eBay with free shipping, arrived in about 12 days.

Hip? No, I'm shooting ducks in a barrel in this case. I don't think mine's particularly special but on your scale of value it's worth $50k if the other is worth $38k. Defending an unrealistic price seems pretty ignorant to me, you have no idea what you're talking about and you've demonstrated that by spilling out misinformation about the LTW's. Stop now. Perhaps stick with your porkers? I'm sure you're an expert in them.

So this arrived today, an OEM storage pocket to replace the front ashtray because these things have poor (accessible) storage compared to an e36 which is what I'm used to. About 2 hours after ordering it I found out that you can actually use an e9x compartment and keep the ashtray cover. I think that would look better but may compromise the capacity. I'll probably install this one and see how I feel before committing to more money. Because I'm replacing the ashtray it does mean I can try and install lighting and a USB power socket in the tray pictured... a project for the long weekend perhaps...

Great, then mine's worth $50k every day...

Wow, that is sweet. ? Loving the commitment Sam, welcome! Hoping to see it at a coffee meet soon... ☺️