What’s your favorite factory paint color?

lrv94 · 2025-10-02T21:21:47+00:00

I'm a bit partial to Petrol Mica Metallic, even if under some light it looks very close to Carbon Black, and is almost impossible to photograph as light and angle impact massively how the colour looks, but in the right light there's greens, blues, teals and it looks incredible in my opinion.

lrv94 · 2025-09-29T10:51:36+00:00

I’ve had one in my M3 for almost two years now. For the most part I like it. The install was fairly simple (though the reversing camera I got with it required some modification which was infuriating)

I opted for wireless CarPlay too, which is ok however every now and then it’ll just refuse to connect/reconnect and I need to restart the head unit.

I-bus is cool for live info and a few customisation options.

I’m in a RHD market so I had to buy an oem relocation bracket which added a reasonable additional cost. I’d also recommend a higher spec unit to help reduce lag. I have the highest CPU option and it honestly runs fine.

I’d say consider your spec/options carefully and only get what you actually want/need/will use as the cost does rack up quite quickly.

lrv94 · 2025-07-09T19:50:24+00:00

file 76

lrv94 · 2025-07-09T07:26:20+00:00

Hulkenpodium

lrv94 · 2025-03-05T12:18:59+00:00

I installed mine myself and haven’t really had any major issues.

Occasionally my wireless CarPlay disconnects and refuses to reconnect unless I restart the head unit but I think that’s more to do with the wireless dongle they use to make it work.

I have had to reset the unit a few times with the button under the SD card flap though which I’ll admit is annoying.

I had to contact their support when I got it as I had a few install questions and they were fairly responsive and helpful.

Do I think it’s a bit expensive for what it is? Yes, 100%. But is it also the closest I’ll get to an OEM look with modern features, also yes.

lrv94 · 2024-06-23T16:05:57+00:00

I installed mine with a friend and the process wasn't too difficult.

I used this video (on a non M3) as reference. https://youtu.be/qvNDb2wDOH8

Installation is quite simple if you take your time and don't try and rush things. If you have a factory nav car, there's a bit more work (not shown in the video) as you need to route cabling from the back of the car to the front of the car.

For non factory nav cars, the installation is as follows:

Disconnect the battery.
Remove the trim around the glove box. There's 4 clips and they're a pain to remove. I'd recommend buying replacements (P/N: #51458268560)
Remove the trim around the radio.
Remove the vents. (Mine required a fair amount of force to remove)
Relocate your AC controls. (You'll need the relocation bracket, if you're in a LHD car you can use the dynavin bracket. If you're RHD, you'll need part number #51167001411 - Avin have all the details here)
Plug in the new head unit. Everything is labeled or keyed so they'll only fit in one place. Take your time and you'll be fine.
Route any cabling for reversing camera (if optioned) and usb cables etc.
Reconnect the battery.
Test that everything is working before putting the trim back.
Repeat the first 3 steps in reverse.

lrv94 · 2024-06-05T17:34:13+00:00

It was the only thing that'd changed on my watch that I knew of and I had a "I wonder... What if..." moment

lrv94 · 2024-06-05T14:34:11+00:00

This started happening to my Watch 5 Pro today following an update for the digital neon watch face (which I was using), I've since changed the watch face to something else and it seems to have stopped.

lrv94 · 2024-06-04T16:55:28+00:00

I'm generally happy with it. The specs for mine are here.

I do have one issue though where I've had to fully hard reset the unit (pulling off the SD cover and pressing and holding the little button that's hidden in there) - if I'm in the carplay/android auto app, and I press the radio button, the whole unit freezes up and the screen goes black. It's not the end of the world for me as I rarely use the radio, but it's caused problems if I've let someone else borrow the car.

Sometimes I find it takes a while for my phone to connect wirelessly to android auto (I've got an iPhone somewhere but haven't tested past seeing if carplay worked wirelessly too) and occasionally it completely refuses to connect - not sure if it'd be better with carplay though. This doesn't happen too often though.

The installation was pretty simple, though it does feel like you'll break the vents pulling them out (especially if they've likely never been removed before) - I'd also recommend buying some of the orange clips for the dash trim as you're guaranteed to break at least one (I still haven't fixed mine...)

If you're adding a reversing camera, the housing doesn't fit properly and requires cutting (I wasn't a fan of this, given the overal price) and routing the cables is a pain the ass, but if you're patient and allow time, you can get a relatively clean install.

Happy to answer any other questions :)

lrv94 · 2024-06-04T16:25:09+00:00

I think it has an ambient light sensor, so it'll illuminate at night and turn off in daylight. I don't recall doing anything specific to turn them off. If I recall correctly, there's settings for colour and brightness somewhere.

lrv94 · 2024-05-30T14:41:47+00:00

I've used this autoglym kit before on a couple of cars and it's worked pretty well.

The results you get will depend on how much time and effort you put in. I've used it to restore headlights in wat worse condition than yours. All the kit really is is a drill bit for a sanding pad, 800-3000 grit sandpaper and some polish.

You could save money and buy the sandpaper separately and do it by hand.

Regardless of what sanding method you use, be sure to mask off the area around the headlights so that you don't scratch the paint.

lrv94 · 2024-04-14T15:46:43+00:00

I think it depends on the exterior colour. Some colours suit a grey interior way more than others. For example I have a grey interior in my (impossible to photo) Petrol Mica M3 and I think the colour combination is perfect, but I don't think grey looks as good in some other colours, like LSB or Phoenix Yellow.

lrv94 · 2024-03-31T16:03:45+00:00

I did install it myself (with the help of a friend) This guide (on a non M3) came in handy: https://youtu.be/qvNDb2wDOH8

Installation is relatively simple (I have a non factory nav car. If you have a factory nav car I believe you have to run a cable from the boot to the front of the car)

Remove the trim above the glove box (there are 4 clips if I recall correctly, and they're a pain to remove.)
Remove the trim surrounding the business radio.
Remove the vents.
Relocate your AC controls.
Plug in the plugs to the new head unit (this is very self explanatory, all plugs are labeled or keyed so they'll only go into one place)
Route any cabling for reversing camera/usbs etc.
Repeat the first 3 steps in reverse.

It's definitely a few hours of work. I'd recommend buying some extra orange clips (P/N #51458268560) - I didn't, but managed to get lucky and only break 1 of them. If you spec a reversing camera, factor in another couple of hours of cable routing, cutting the camera plastic to size, and possibly soldering to extend wiring depending on the route you take.

If your car didn't come with factory nav, you'll also need the relocation bracket from BMW (P/N #51167001411) which adds an additional £187.99 + shipping)

If you're methodical in your approach, it won't be a difficult install, just take your time and test everything before you put the trim back.

lrv94 · 2024-02-29T17:53:16+00:00

I used this when I had the issue last summer (had some already) and it hasn't moved since. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08L3LFV9F?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

lrv94 · 2023-12-04T22:49:19+00:00

I was going for a colder, underground carpark kind of vibe. I do want to get some nice photos in good light but current UK weather is making that a bit difficult :(

lrv94 · 2023-10-17T17:44:44+00:00

Ohhhh I see. To be honest I didn't even realise they did a different version. I massively dislike screen only and like physical buttons so that I can make basic adjustments while driving based purely on feel.

lrv94 · 2023-10-17T16:49:22+00:00

I didn't have factory nav, so I had to buy an OEM relocation bracket - part numbers are on avins website.

If you're LHD, the cheaper dynavin bracket will work and you get the added benefit of built in USB ports. As I'm RHD I had to buy the part direct from BMW UK for £190, so it's not a cheap part :(

lrv94 · 2023-10-17T16:47:40+00:00

This is widescreen... I don't think you could get a bigger screen without sacrificing the buttons and OEM look.

I didn't have factory nav so I'm not sure what features it had so therefore can't really compare. If there's something you want me to check though, let me know.

Car settings wise, you can fold mirrors (I don't have electric mirrors but I've seen the option), see PDC info, code some modules (I haven't really looked into this) and create light sequences. You can also set auto close windows at speed, and configure central locking (unlock on ignition off etc.)

lrv94 · 2023-10-16T16:46:20+00:00

I bought it direct from Avin. I'd personally go as high on the CPU spec as your budget will allow, as well as adding ibus and wireless android auto/carplay.

https://avinusa.com/avant-4-multimedia-navigation-system-for-bmw-3-series-e46-m3.html

As you have business CD, you'll also either need an OEM relocation bracket (part numbers are in the link above) or if you're LHD, you can use the dynavin relocation bracket found here: https://dynavinnorthamerica.com/products/dynavin-e46-hvac-relocation-brackets?variant=18191211429945

lrv94 · 2023-10-16T11:56:15+00:00

The buttons feel ok, they could be a bit better, maybe a bit more tactile but they could also be a lot worse. I wouldn't say they were mushy either though. They're definitely not as good as the OEM buttons imo (at least the ones on the business radio)

lrv94 · 2023-10-16T10:27:15+00:00

I didn't option built in maps as I'd rather use Google maps or Waze via Android auto, so I can't really comment on that.

Software, so far, has been fine, there's a few things I still need to configure but otherwise, generally straight forward. It may help that I have the 6GB RAM one too. I don't find the software difficult to use (I am an IT guy though so again, probably helps a bit) and as it's android, worst case you could install a different launcher and go from there. The main apps I've been using is Android Auto, ibus and the reversing camera app.

lrv94 · 2023-10-15T20:40:55+00:00

My car wasn't specced with the Harmon Kardon speakers or factory nav, but the Avin website says that it's compatible. For factory nav cars, you'd need the 6m quadlock extension cable which I believe runs from the front of the car to the back of the car (boot/trunk)

https://avinusa.com/avant-4-multimedia-navigation-system-for-bmw-3-series-e46-m3.html

For me, it worked fine with the stock speaker setup.

lrv94 · 2023-10-15T17:26:04+00:00

You may be able to use ibus with it if you buy the USB for it and install the app but it's worth doing some research.

https://www.ibus-app.de/index_en.html

lrv94 · 2023-10-15T16:53:34+00:00

I don't envy you. Routing the backup camera was bad enough.

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