The saga of the double din install

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....

Sunday, 6 September: UPDATE. After two attempts with the great folks at BMW Assist, via landline, the 'unlock door' function apparently does not work. As you may know BMW sends a signal to the car commanding it to open the driver's door. This leads me to believe the 'stolen car location' feature may not work either. I am able to talk to BMW Assist via the SOS button on the ceiling (?) headliner (?), whatever you call it.

Second Update 6 September: Went for a short drive to In n Out, after setting it as a destination in the nav. Very impressed with the nav. Excellent, easy to read map, loud, clear instructions. I added a couple of via points on the way home and it handled those with no problems. I still think the unit is mounted too low. However, after driving in the city I could glance down and easily see and read the map. I just couldn't linger.

Cranked up the volume to near 19 year-old level for a short time. Wonderful, clear sounds! I raised the bass and played Jimmy Buffet really loud while driving by the twenty-somethings...

Update-Monday, 7 Sept: after driving the vehicle on a variety of roads and in a variety of traffic conditions, I have decided the unit is mounted too low to be safe. I find myself look completely away from the road for far too long. I love this unit: it has a great screen, is easy to use, and has great nav. It is just too dangerous where it is and there is no other place to mount it. I am going back to the install company tomorrow and exchange it for a single din Eclipse NZ 409 and keep all the goodies (rear camera, XM, etc).
Update-Tuesday, 8 Sept: still can't decide what to do. Went to the install company this morning. They were very understanding and willing to make any changes. The issue is the labor involved. The cost of a Kenwood 614 is less than the Eclipse, but Kenwood charges $800 for the nav module.
Before making any further decisions I went to the local Calif Highway Patrol office to ask for an expert opinion. The officer agreed it was low, but not illegal (that I knew). He suggested I give it a few more days of driving.
So, because I hate to give up that great Eclipse unit, I'm driving with it for a few more days. If there are no major collisions because I am looking completely away from the road ahead, I will keep it.
Update-9 Sept: I have decided to ask (for $750) the installers to move the Eclipse unit up to the highest point possible in the opening (where the heating/ac controls are now). This is where I originally asked for the unit to be installed but the guys talked me out of it, saying they would have to slightly modify the air ducts and the unit would stick out too far. The appointment is set for next Tuesday. The Eclipse is just too cool a system to replace with a Kenwood single DIN. Hey, I'm going to have this car for a lonnnnnnnng time...
Update-12 Sept: took the beast to the dealer to show my service advisor the install. He liked it! I also discovered I can no longer do a system check! The only thing that comes up is the SOS warning. I can't check the oil level. Mmmmmm. Now what? I think a longer conversation with the SA is advisable. He didn't say anything at the time.