M-coupe OBC Retrofit

[Shoe Coupe]

So I know Ron Stygar has done this before, but Im curious if anyone else has? It seems to be a pretty inolved mod, but sounds like it might be a bit fun to do.

Any takers on what all needs to be done?

[07090]

I just recently saw posts that an OBC was even an option. I hadn't seen any DIY's on it yet, have you?

Also, where have you seen the parts? How much?

[Shoe Coupe]

I just recently saw posts that an OBC was even an option. I hadn't seen any DIY's on it yet, have you?

Also, where have you seen the parts? How much?

really? I dont think the obc was an option on the mcoupes. Ive read Ron's posts, which basically say that the mcoupe doesnt have the harness for the OBC, so you'd have to wire it in yourself.

[Jeremy]

really? I dont think the obc was an option on the mcoupes. Ive read Ron's posts, which basically say that the mcoupe doesnt have the harness for the OBC, so you'd have to wire it in yourself.

This.

I thought years ago it would be cool to have, but it seemed like more work than it was worth to me.

...I still want to know how to wire up steering wheel controls to my head unit, but nobody has shared a DIY yet.

[Shoe Coupe]

This.

I thought years ago it would be cool to have, but it seemed like more work than it was worth to me.

...I still want to know how to wire up steering wheel controls to my head unit, but nobody has shared a DIY yet.

oh yeah!! I forgot about that.

are you still interested in doing it?? It is alot of work.

[BimmerBreaker]

I just recently saw posts that an OBC was even an option.

Where would it even go

I think an OBC retrofit would be nice, definitely a lot of work, but I loved it on my old E36 M3. Would at the very least be great to see what the exterior temperature is and whatnot.

I imagine a good starting place for some ideas on how to retrofit it would be to look at early E36 guys with the smaller OBC who retrofit to the later "full" OBC.

[Jeremy]

oh yeah!! I forgot about that.

are you still interested in doing it?? It is alot of work.

Yeah, I can see using the wheel controls regularly, and I like the integrated look. I have the controls already.

[Shoe Coupe]

I'll work on a DIY for the wheel controls. I just wish I could get more info on the OBC retrofit. I _cannot_ find Ron's posts...

[Jeremy]

I'll work on a DIY for the wheel controls. I just wish I could get more info on the OBC retrofit. I _cannot_ find Ron's posts...

Cool, thanks!

http://forum.roadfly.com/threads/391...1-M-coupe-fits

Also...

None of the wiring is present. You also have to add the temp sensor. The OBC runs around $100. I modified a harness from a ti. You also have to accurately enlarge the existing hole. The chrome ring for this hole is around $60. You have to create an inlay in the back of the panel t oaccommodate the rectangular OBC. You also have to create a means t oscrew the OBC in to the back of the panel. You have to also have the OBC coded by a dealer.
Connect to:
www.unofficialbmw.com/images/
and check out the pics that begin with obcand z3obc.

<img src="http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/chromering1.jpg">

From here: http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/i.html

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...4&postcount=15
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...1&postcount=22

[Shoe Coupe]

WOW! You are awesome! That's way more info than I would ever hope to find!

[moonvan]

Didn't tommy1334 find a way to get the m5 steering wheel controls installed and work?

[Jeremy]

WOW! You are awesome! That's way more info than I would ever hope to find!

You bet. I got curious and just kept digging. Please keep us in the loop.

I checked the part numbers, and it looks like about $300 based upon the numbers in the last link I posted for the OBC and everything else.

[mpire]

IF anyone wants the details on how to retrofit the 18 button OBC, let me know.

[Shoe Coupe]

You bet. I got curious and just kept digging. Please keep us in the loop.

I checked the part numbers, and it looks like about $300 based upon the numbers in the last link I posted for the OBC and everything else.

with the amount of info here, this looks like it would be easier to do than the steering wheel control retrofit.

The thing that is keeping me from doing the DIY is the fact that I would have to take the setup apart to take pics, but alas, I will do it.

IF anyone wants the details on how to retrofit the 18 button OBC, let me know.

you just stuffed a disconnected 18 button obc into the console and took a pic, didnt you.

PS: anyone have a black m-roadster/coupe bezel they want to sell me?

[Sky1Z3]

I want info on that door lock button Ron has in the lighter area!

[mpire]

The easiest way is to just tap into the door lock wire on the stock alarm.

Then use the door lock button to short the wire and lock the doors.

You can use an ASC button to do this as well and not cut up your dash.

[Sky1Z3]

The easiest way is to just tap into the door lock wire on the stock alarm.

Then use the door lock button to short the wire and lock the doors.

You can use an ASC button to do this as well and not cut up your dash.

Epic idea with the ASC button. Thanks!

[Jeremy]

with the amount of info here, this looks like it would be easier to do than the steering wheel control retrofit.

The thing that is keeping me from doing the DIY is the fact that I would have to take the setup apart to take pics, but alas, I will do it.

Thanks, Sev!

[Shoe Coupe]

darn it. the ti wiring kit is NLA... that kind of puts some piss on the bonfire.

61 12 9 405 244

EDIT: Can be ordered from germany

[tommy1394]

Didn't tommy1334 find a way to get the m5 steering wheel controls installed and work?

I did, but the way I did it only works with aftermarket stereos. Ping me if you have questions Jeremy

[Jeremy]

I did, but the way I did it only works with aftermarket stereos. Ping me if you have questions Jeremy

Thanks, Tom. I have the same Alpine X305S as you do, I think.

[Shoe Coupe]

I did, but the way I did it only works with aftermarket stereos. Ping me if you have questions Jeremy

my setup works with the ibus wire, so you can use it with factory stereos and after market stereos (with an adaptor). Basically how the factory put it in.


So looks like the TI kit IS available, special order from germany...


still without knowing the exact pinout and connectors, this project seems like a big pain.

[mpire]

The steering wheel buttons aren't all that complicated to do.

You need to swap out the slip ring to get more connectors.

If you have a stock head unit, then you just need to add a pin.

If you have aftermarket, you need to get the aftermarket remote adapter.

you just stuffed a disconnected 18 button obc into the console and took a pic, didnt you.

Its not 100%, but its a boat load of work and contorting.

If anyone wants the directions, I can send them the PDF with the step by step directions I used.

[Shoe Coupe]

The steering wheel buttons aren't all that complicated to do.

You need to swap out the slip ring to get more connectors.

If you have a stock head unit, then you just need to add a pin.

If you have aftermarket, you need to get the aftermarket remote adapter.



Its not 100%, but its a boat load of work and contorting.

If anyone wants the directions, I can send them the PDF with the step by step directions I used.

sure! I'll take the directions! PM me!


as far as the wheel buttons go, its a bit more complicated than that if you want to use the factory signaling and wiring. If you do the resistor method then its simpler, but I like setting up the way the factory would have with the IBUS signal. Wasnt hard to do, just took some time to figure out how to get power/ground/ibus, when you have only 2 wires available.


the major thing with the buttons is the horn and buttons both require +12v, but you cant use the horn's power on the buttons, or else the horn will sound infinitely.

The way I did it, was I took the negative for the horn and repurposed it to a +12v for the buttons to light up/send signal. Then I tied the ground both the horn switch and control button to chassis (which the factory has convienently has provided a grounding point on the steering wheel). You run all the wires back by the stereo and hey-o, presto! Ibus wire with factory style controls!

[ssbuchanan]

the major thing with the buttons is the horn and buttons both require +12v, but you cant use the horn's power on the buttons, or else the horn will sound infinitely.

LOL, did anyone see the Top Gear India special where Hamster and Clarkson wired Captain Slow's horn to his brake lights? Beeping every time he braked

Nice idea on the door lock. Would be really nice if we could replace the hazard light with the Z4 one: 61318368920.
Very different connectors, but if we could find wiring diagrams that could be the next forum hack.
Some info for E36 here (I assume it's the same for the Z) http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/int...ck_switch.html