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      10-11-2012, 03:11 PM   #1
BMWE934me
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2011 BMW 335i  [10.00]
DIY Garmin Nuvi install

I hate having a GPS power cord hanging down and getting in the way, so I bought a few items from Amazon and did my own install.

We all know how difficult it is to obtain manuals or schematics to do our own work, so here is a DIY that may help out.

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I bought these trim removal tools from Harbor Freight. A must have to protect your trim peices. You will also need a #2 phillips screwdriver, 1/4" drive ratchet with 8mm socket, wire cutter and wire strippers.
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Locate the fuse panel beneath the glovebox on the passenger side and remove the 3 phillips head screws to remove the panel.
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Use one of the plastic trim tools and gently pry the panel below the radio out. It is held in by 4 pins, one in each corner.
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With the panel removed, you can see two screws below the radio that hold it in place.
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Remove the two screws and pull the radio out. Reach back behind the radio and guide the wire harness out to allow access of your hand.
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Place your Garmin 12v converter in the back and use 2 sided tape of velcro to secure the box from moving and out of the way of the radio.
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This is where I set mine.
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Pry off the front center speaker cover off using a trim tool and remove the speaker with the ratchet and 8mm socket. Fish a sturdy wire down to the radio opening and attach the GPS connector from the converter box and pull it up into the speaker opening.
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Reattach the speaker after pulling up all of the cable slack.
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Now fish your wire from the radio opening, down and out close to where the 12v cigar lighter is located below the glovebox in the passenger footwell.
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Attach the power end with the red and black wire to the wire you fished down and pull it out as shown.
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Yellow/Green wire is 12v and brown is a ground
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Splice in the 12v and ground to the connector.
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Route the pwr cord from the speaker area under the dash cubby door and into the dash cubby tray. Zip tie the cord back for a neat and clean install.
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The adhessive mount did not work, the revision to this DIY starts at post #15. Scroll down
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The finished results. No obstructed view, full use of the cubby compartment and convenient view of the GPS while driving.

The GPS will come on when you start your car and turn off when you shut the ignition off.

Garmin Nuvi Hardwire Cable (Mini-USB connector) for Garmin Nuvi $12.40 from Amazon

i.Trek IG-PSTARA Garmin Nuvi Sticky Mount $6.60 from Amazon

It will take you about 2 hours if you really take your time and do it slowly.

Scroll down to post #15 to see the revised mounting of the GPS. This one was not stable, so I had to re-do the mounting. The revised version ROCKS!

Last edited by BMWE934me; 10-20-2012 at 11:46 AM.. Reason: Post #15 update
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      10-11-2012, 03:42 PM   #2
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i do'nt like it, i'd rather like to have that thing on the windshield and remove it when i do'nt need it, that's what i do on my X5 although no problem whit my Z4 as it came whit the nav system package.
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      10-11-2012, 03:48 PM   #3
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i do'nt like it, i'd rather like to have that thing on the windshield and remove it when i do'nt need it, that's what i do on my X5 although no problem whit my Z4 as it came whit the nav system package.
BMW nav is so bad though. I had it in my M3 and swore I would never waste money on another BMW nav system. To each their own though!
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      10-11-2012, 04:23 PM   #4
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Looks like you did a great job and our car has nav, BUT IT IS TERRIBLE! A $100-200 Garmin is much much better at navigation.
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      10-11-2012, 04:45 PM   #5
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i have Garmin in my S2000. i mount it at the top left corner of my windshield. its a good spot where i never use and can quickly glance and most people wont see it so i dont have to worry about hiding it every time i don't use.

BMW's newer navi is better than previous years. The one in my Z4 is pretty good. The one in my M Coupe and Range Rover is terrible. I'd rather use the maps on my phone.
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      10-11-2012, 04:58 PM   #6
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Any way to mount it inside the cubby?
I'd be interested to do this, if it's possible.
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      10-11-2012, 05:25 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by brianh968 View Post
Any way to mount it inside the cubby?
I'd be interested to do this, if it's possible.
You can do it with the same stuff, but you might want to epoxy the mount to the inside top of the cubby. But you will need to uncouple the nav from the mount to close the cubby. I may be doing this, as the 3M and the leather dash is not looking to be a good combination. If I do I will re-post the mod.

The mount that I used is the shortest and most adjustable avaiable. I do have a shorter one with no adjustability, so I will see which one works best.
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      10-11-2012, 06:04 PM   #8
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thanks for the write up! not my cup of tea to have wires sticking out in the dash but i can definitely see how its better than glancing down at your phone in the center console
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      10-11-2012, 06:40 PM   #9
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I have a Garmin 2595 along with a Z4 35i and an SLK Merc. I must say that the Garmin works perfectly parked in the change tray in front of the shifter. No lost signal, top up or top down on both cars. Because it is so good at spoken directions I seldom have to look down and the few times I have to look down the view is unblocked, so it’s no big deal. I usually don’t use it for more than one battery charge but if needed the power cord for the most part is out of the way in the SLK whereas the Z4 is a little more problematic.
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      10-11-2012, 07:01 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brianh968 View Post
Any way to mount it inside the cubby?
I'd be interested to do this, if it's possible.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWZ44me
You can do it with the same stuff, but you might want to epoxy the mount to the inside top of the cubby. But you will need to uncouple the nav from the mount to close the cubby. I may be doing this, as the 3M and the leather dash is not looking to be a good combination. If I do I will re-post the mod.

The mount that I used is the shortest and most adjustable avaiable. I do have a shorter one with no adjustability, so I will see which one works best.
Make sure you check that the cubby door will stay open with the weight of the garmin and mount hanging off it before you invest too much time in it. Or devise a prop to keep it open.

ETA: nicely done install, btw.
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      10-11-2012, 11:15 PM   #11
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I too, hate loose wires. IMO it's pretty clever

You have the function of one of the best nav systems on the market, at a significant reduced cost pus you have the use of the flip up tray. Overall the install of wiring seems similar to those install radar detectors.
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      10-12-2012, 12:21 AM   #12
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Great install and running of the wires - very clean. I'm not a fan of the GPS connector being taped to the lip of the cubby (the thought being one of the benefits to not having a permanently affixed nav system is the ability to have a completely clean dash when it's not in use), but to each their own.
Overall, great job.

I'm always a fan of DIY jobs - especially wiring.

My V1:
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      10-12-2012, 03:46 AM   #13
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Looks good. Obviously OEM is great but of you think about the cost of options you spend money on and how much of that you actually get back at resale....all the goodies just make your car easier to sell I guess.....

Good install, and like you, I don't like wires hanging out.....
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      10-12-2012, 11:38 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teagueAMX View Post
I too, hate loose wires. IMO it's pretty clever

You have the function of one of the best nav systems on the market, at a significant reduced cost pus you have the use of the flip up tray. Overall the install of wiring seems similar to those install radar detectors.
I thought about running the harness up the A-pillar and leave the GPS on the windshield, but I couldn't find any info on how to remove the upper windshield trim or A-pillar.

Quote:
Originally Posted by vasmir View Post
Great install and running of the wires - very clean. I'm not a fan of the GPS connector being taped to the lip of the cubby (the thought being one of the benefits to not having a permanently affixed nav system is the ability to have a completely clean dash when it's not in use), but to each their own.
Overall, great job.

I'm always a fan of DIY jobs - especially wiring.

My V1:
I really wanted a cleaner install and mount the GPS inside the cubby. It looks like I will be working on that this weekend too, as the 3M adhesive and Kansas leather do not bond. I wish we had more DIY's on the forum, as BMW is lame in sharing trim R&R information and schematics.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nickm9 View Post
Looks good. Obviously OEM is great but of you think about the cost of options you spend money on and how much of that you actually get back at resale....all the goodies just make your car easier to sell I guess.....

Good install, and like you, I don't like wires hanging out.....
Thanks, It is as minimal as you can get as far as exposed wiring goes. Moving it into the cubby will make it invisible.

I did toy with the idea of using BMW's pn 65902151578 Installation kit, GPS, portable for $85.41, but that tray replaces the cubby and you have no cover. It also has a multiple connector wiring harness with no instructions.
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      10-19-2012, 06:00 PM   #15
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DIY mount GPS in dash cubby

Many of you liked the concept of what I did, but there was also alot of criticism about some of the ways I did this mod.
Well it seems that some if the critics were right and there is a better way to do it.
I put the car in sport mode and floored it one time and my GPS was no longer attached to the dash.
I didn't like that it wasn't concealable either.
So now I have the new and improved version and this one is as best as you are going to get.
It is concealable.
Wires do not hang out anywhere.
No obstruction of view.
If at first you don't succeed, try it again!
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Last edited by BMWE934me; 10-19-2012 at 07:04 PM..
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      10-19-2012, 06:30 PM   #16
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very clever. Like.
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      10-19-2012, 07:05 PM   #17
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OEM Nav location... nothing to argue anymore! Clean work
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      10-19-2012, 10:46 PM   #18
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Nice work!
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      10-20-2012, 11:34 AM   #19
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very clever. Like.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drew@Sonic MS View Post
OEM Nav location... nothing to argue anymore! Clean work
Quote:
Originally Posted by teagueAMX View Post
Nice work!
Thank you all. This set-up is what I was going for in the beginning, but didn't dig hard enough for the right equipment the first time. This works!
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      10-20-2012, 11:56 AM   #20
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Perfect. I think the dealers now do something similar
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      10-20-2012, 12:56 PM   #21
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Nice Install. Thanks for the details
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      10-20-2012, 07:39 PM   #22
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Perfect. I think the dealers now do something similar
I purchased that kit and the wiring is over complicated and comes with no schematics to even try to install that part, it costs 4 times as much. it deletes the lid and leaves the top of the cubby open and you have to remove all of the dash trim, radio, vents and climate control to install it. Installation kit, GPS, portable 65902151578 $85.41 USD
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