Redditor Shares Guide to In-Dash Integration of Nexus 7 Tablet in BMW 3-Series E46

A recent Reddit post from forum member Brake_L8 elaborates on how it was possible to transplant a Nexus 7 Android tablet into the center dash of a BMW 3-Series E46. The photos provided prove it looks pretty good once done up and it apparently works really well too.

The author goes into more detail about how it uses custom software that is activated upon turning the ignition key, as well as the need to move the climate control unit to make room for the touchscreen.

It looks fairly easy to do, but make sure you know what you’re doing before you set out to dismantle your dashboard. If you’re not sure of how, explain your idea to somebody who is more handy (i.e. a friend or a professional audio installer) and pay them a menial amount to do it for you.

The problem with buying an older car, say from the early 2000s, is that while it may still be desirable today and still competent from an engineering standpoint, it will lack most of the connectivity features that are now commonplace.

Any car similar to the E46 is still a nice, modern car to own, however the same problem of nonexistent infotainment persists (not limited to BMW) and given the more unusual shapes of the center stack’s openings, a great solution is difficult to find – plopping a tablet in in this way is definitely one way to go!

By Andrei Nedelea

Story References and Photo Credits: Reddit/Brake_L8

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Spy Shots: New BMW X1 Switches to FWD Platform and Gains 3-Cylinder Engines

The closer BMW edges to being a…Volkswagen brand of this world instead of an exclusively premium manufacturer, the more mainstream some of its products become, and you can see this from the designs to the expansion into popular segments and the adoption of front-wheel drive platforms for models like the X1.

Truth to be told, from a mainstream buyer's perspective, it makes a lot of sense for smaller SUVs and crossovers that won't necessarily be ordered with all-wheel drive to come with a front-wheel drive layout as this solution offers reduced costs, increased fuel economy, less weight and more driver-friendly handling.

As such, the second generation X1, expected to be revealed at next year's Frankfurt Motor Show, will abandon the current model's older (E91) 3-Series Touring's platform with RWD and AWD, switching to the BMW Group's UKL1 architecture shared with the new Mini models like the hatch, which utilizes transversely mounted engines powering the front- or optionally, all-four wheels.

For its motivation, the X1 will also share the same engine lineup with the new Mini range, comprising 1.5-liter three-cylinder and 2.0-liter four-cylinder mills, all turbocharged. Unlike the current model, the new X1 will not be available with six-cylinder engines.

The competition for the X1 when it hits the market in 2016 will include the Mercedes-Benz GLA and Audi Q3, both of which will be offered in the States this year. 

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS

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BMW M4 vs Lexus RC F, Which Super Coupe Would You Take? [w/Poll]

It is hard to imagine a wilder interpretation of Lexus’ answer to the BMW M4 Coupe, the RC F. Based on an already daring design, the RC coupe, the RC F is the type of design that you either love or hate. One can tell designers were given a free hand to make the car as aggressive as possible and my opinion is that, they did a fine job.

The BMW M4 Coupe, on the other hand, features an aggressive styling as well, but seeing the two cars side by side (albeit only in photos) makes it clear to me that the RC F looks more dramatic. To put it another way, I’m sure that if the two cars were to be driven down a crowded boulevard in quick succession, there would be more people turning their heads after the Lexus than the BMW.

Sure, design will always be a matter of personal taste and one could argue that the BMW’s understatement is more appealing and the RC F’s aggressiveness is just too vulgar. Also, let’s not forget that tradition is way more important for BMW than Lexus, with BMW M cars usually featuring more restrained, understated lines than their competitors.

On the other hand, Lexus designers were not constrained by anything other than their imagination and this is why the RC F looks so dramatic. Furthermore, they had a wilder car to work on from the beginning - the standard Lexus RC.

Another difference between the two cars that can’t be spotted in the photos is that the M4 Coupe features a 425hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine, while the RC F is powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 unit with “more than 450hp”.

Scroll down to take a look at the shots of the two cars put side by side and let us know which car is your favorite in the poll that follows.

By Dan Mihalascu

Poll: Which super coupe gets your vote?

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