Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

[enuff_zed]

So don’t waste your time commenting then.

I have a lot of respect for you, Martin, but if I need advice I will ask, thanks!

That’s fine. Probably better to wait until asked before spouting off, eh.

[B21]

The fitment of the ID4Motion digital cluster is turning into a nightmare.

The primary issue appears to be that the generic hardware ..used on many BMW models like 3/5/7 series is just too big to fit in the E89 instrument cluster space.

I couldn't make their installation instructions work..certainly without severely scratching /damaging the plastics in and around the instrument binacle.

So I've taken the whole dash out to fit it.

Even then its a f$%kfest...some of the screws that hold the dashboard together and to the rest of the car have to be jettisoned.

I'm not very happy at all.

Had I known how difficult and the compromises needed I certainly wouldn't have bought it.

But I've started so I'll continue..

The darkest hour is before the dawn..

[Hut man]

Jeez-o Peter, your a brave man, I would be ready to jump of the bridge just looking at that pile of spaghetti.

[B21]

Jeez-o Peter, your a brave man, I would be ready to jump of the bridge just looking at that pile of spaghetti.
[/quote




Most of the ‘spaghetti’ is in the various cardboard storage boxes …..so many bits…

[john-e89]

They say God loves a trier…..looking at that he’s gonna want to shag you…!

[B21]

They say God loves a trier…..looking at that he’s gonna want to shag you…!

Very profound..and probably true

[john-e89]

They say God loves a trier…..looking at that he’s gonna want to shag you…!

Very profound..and probably true

Joking aside that’s a lot to get back together…obvs…I wish you well.

[B21]

They say God loves a trier…..looking at that he’s gonna want to shag you…!

Very profound..and probably true

Joking aside that’s a lot to get back together…obvs…I wish you well.

Thank you..I have the luxury of a well lit, well heated garage so I’m hoping that time is a healer / helper

[B21]

Day 2…the nightmare continues..

My buddy in Italy also with a yellow 35is is doing the exact same retrofit…he’s kept the dashboard in place..but he’s struggling as well.

Here’s my wooden mock up of the ID4Motion screen to help with initial set up.

Called it a day..by this time the dash is looking like a guyere cheese..

[john-e89]

Square peg rou…….

Could you cut away all the plastic around the back of the binnacle so you could perhaps install an upper and lower plate mounted to the bulkhead to slide the hardware into, rather like a radio head unit into one of those aftermarket cages…? Dremel cut modify it, maybe buy two cages so you could butcher one to make mounting plates to self tap screw to the bulkhead for the modified main cage to attach to. Looking at the hardware I’d think you could screw a few small self tappers into it’s edge at certain points to mount it securely to the cage, short ones shouldn’t hit any circuit board inside as you normally have a good few mill gap between that and the hardware frame. So basically you’d be using the plastic bulkhead as pure cosmetic trim and not for any mounting duties. Won’t be easy obvs due to where you’re working on the car, but it seems any thought of an easy life has long flown the nest here…

It would seem come selling time you’ll have to sell this car modified so you’ll not lose anything by destroying the original mountings for the original binnacle,

Keep going….its trailblazing…

[enuff_zed]

Have to ask, is this where the expression 'clusterf**k' comes from.

[john-e89]

Have to ask, is this where the expression 'clusterf**k' comes from.

I was thinking ‘Bastard ball ache’ myself but yours is good too….

[john-e89]

…..or. cut all the binnacle plastic away so you can mock up the whole unit installed and looking finished on your bench, build a wood frame around the hardware leaving as much gap between the wood and hardware frame as possible, wrap the unit in masking tape, then fill the void with expanding foam, leave to set, then you’ll have something to make a fibreglass mould from which will fit the hardware part perfectly.

[B21]

Square peg rou…….

Could you cut away all the plastic around the back of the binnacle so you could perhaps install an upper and lower plate mounted to the bulkhead to slide the hardware into, rather like a radio head unit into one of those aftermarket cages…? Dremel cut modify it, maybe buy two cages so you could butcher one to make mounting plates to self tap screw to the bulkhead for the modified main cage to attach to. Looking at the hardware I’d think you could screw a few small self tappers into it’s edge at certain points to mount it securely to the cage, short ones shouldn’t hit any circuit board inside as you normally have a good few mill gap between that and the hardware frame. So basically you’d be using the plastic bulkhead as pure cosmetic trim and not for any mounting duties. Won’t be easy obvs due to where you’re working on the car, but it seems any thought of an easy life has long flown the nest here…

It would seem come selling time you’ll have to sell this car modified so you’ll not lose anything by destroying the original mountings for the original binnacle,

Keep going….its trailblazing…

John..thnx for the option..I’m nearly there on my mind…I’ll nibble it away tomorrow..but I’m going in that direction…

[B21]

…..or. cut all the binnacle plastic away so you can mock up the whole unit installed and looking finished on your bench, build a wood frame around the hardware leaving as much gap between the wood and hardware frame as possible, wrap the unit in masking tape, then fill the void with expanding foam, leave to set, then you’ll have something to make a fibreglass mould from which will fit the hardware part perfectly.

John, again, thanks, I’ll keep both thoughts as options ..I’m in deep..

My Italian buddy is swearing too!