A place online to meet for lovers of driving on the central coast of California, especially BMW drivers. For more information email Dennis Harrold at sloarearep@ggcbmwcca.org
Hi, I have been thinking about putting in an Eclipse AVN 726e multi-audio-video unit in my CPO 07 328i. I spent hours researching the interweb, calling BMW Customer Service and BMW Assist, and talking to the service advisor at my local dealer. I picked up the car this afternoon (Saturday, 4 Sept). Wow. It's incredible! Installed Features: Nav, bluetooth, XM satellite, FM/AM, CD, DVD, backup camera, steering wheel controls, iPod/iPhone controls with video playback, USB. After three and one half days in the shop (I told them to take their time), it is installed and, so far, is amazing. This particular shop, so far, has been fantastic with customer service and quality (Lombard's Autosounds, Santa Maria, CA). All the features work as their are supposed to. The sound is great! The images on the screen are sharp, bright and easy to read (even with polarized sun glasses!!!). The screen tilts out to a max of about 40 degrees. All features are intuitive, visual and easy to program. However, I am concerned the unit is mounted too low to be safely read while driving. Unfortunately, there isn't much of a choice, due to the space behind the dash. I'll have to drive a lot more to see how much of a hazard this is. My BMW Assist still works just fine. I called shortly after the install, using the SOS button on the headliner. Issues so far:yes, there is a small warning image on my dash-exclamation point inside triangle (see attached pics), the SOS error appears briefly upon starting and when the Check System is activated, the bluetooth answer/hang up button on the steering wheel does not work, the nav does not read street names ("turn left at the next intersection"), but the maps are easy to read. I've been a Garmin user since their consumer units first came out. I have three now for business travel and for my wife. So far, the nav in the Eclipse is as good, if not better in some ways, than the Garmin dash mount units.
If the unit was installed as I asked it is only connected to a power source and the pre-amp. All the unit features connect only to the unit. I will post updates if there are any exciting developments....
Frank
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This is a casual, personal blog for lovers and drivers of the Ultimate Driving Machine on the central coast of California. Specifically we live in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
This part of California is ideal for great weekend drives.
This blog is not a part of any BMW car club or region. It is an internet meeting place for those of us who like to drive!
For more information about the BMW Car Club of America and its chapters, go to www.bmwcca.org.
For more information about CCBMW Drivers' Activities email Mark Wartena at sloarearep@ggcbmwcca.org
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