General Modernization Thread

[Cyrix2k]

I'd like to create a thread where we can post various ideas to help modernize e30s. I'll start with ideas I'd like to implement.

• Bluetooth keyless entry/start (via phone)
• Animated turn signals (animated bars in the rear) and variable brightness brake lights depending on braking intensity
• Theater lighting (fade in/out)
• Pathway lightiing (headlights stay on for set period of time after exiting car)
• Lane change signaling (single indicator tap results in three signal blinks)
• LED taillights
• Built-in inductive phone charger

Most of this I plan I to use a a microcontroller, like an Arduino or Parallax Propeller to implement. Any other ideas?

[psigti]

In.

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[Gregs///M]

My thoughts are NOT to modernize a vintage car. However, some items like car stereo and alarms would be a good addition.

• Bluetooth keyless entry/start (via phone) - DEI makes this already.
• Animated turn signals (animated bars in the rear) and variable brightness brake lights depending on braking intensity - No thanks
• Theater lighting (fade in/out) - Member George Graves made these I believe.
• Pathway lightiing (headlights stay on for set period of time after exiting car) - Alarms can be programmed to do this using aux timer channel (not all alarms have this output)
• Lane change signaling (single indicator tap results in three signal blinks) (NO thanks)
• LED taillights (Please no)
• Built-in inductive phone charger (decent idea, that would be cool, built into cubby behind cig lighter)

Again, installing many of these items like fancy automated turn signals, and LED lights in place of incandescent fixtures, and especially LED tail lights disgust many E30 and BMW enthusiasts. That's JDM style shit.

That's my

[dwvw]

I don't even have power windows, sunroof or AC in my car, and that makes me love it more.

[Herr Faust Schinken]

I don't even have power windows, sunroof or AC in my car, and that makes me love it more.

It's because not having that stuff makes the car lighter

[agent]

...items like car stereo and alarms would be a good addition.

...many of these items like fancy automated turn signals, and LED lights in place of incandescent fixtures, and especially LED tail lights disgust many E30 and BMW enthusiasts. That's JDM style shit.

Good post.

[psigti]

My daily is a mk5 rabbit... I am so use to the turn stalk tap three blink thing that I want every car I ever own to have that feature. Its by far the most useful modern creature comfort feature other than a/c and cup holders/arm rest. I went from mk2's with zero modernization to a brand new car... missed simple, so have an e30 weekend rig. I think the turn stalk idea is great.

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[MaksV]

Bluetooth keyless entry/start (via phone) - very similar to comfort access - you really just need an Ardiuno and a few modules.
Animated turn signals (animated bars in the rear) and variable brightness brake lights depending on braking intensity - be careful flashing yellow/red lights are illegal in most states
Theater lighting (fade in/out) - We have door faders on it.
Pathway lightiing (headlights stay on for set period of time after exiting car) - again a simple fader solution would work
Lane change signaling (single indicator tap results in three signal blinks)
LED taillights the design of the e30 tail light makes it a huge pain the ass to make LED tails, unless you simply replace the tail bulbs with LED bulbs.
Built-in inductive phone charger - Interior space in the e30 is pretty limited but I guess you could build it into a front tray of sorts in front of the shifter.

[LJ851]

Are you sure you want an E30?

[///M42 sport]

you want a e46 at least.

[dwvw]

Are you sure you want an E30?

Truth

[Cyrix2k]

My thoughts are NOT to modernize a vintage car. However, some items like car stereo and alarms would be a good addition.

• Bluetooth keyless entry/start (via phone) - DEI makes this already.
• Animated turn signals (animated bars in the rear) and variable brightness brake lights depending on braking intensity - No thanks
• Theater lighting (fade in/out) - Member George Graves made these I believe.
• Pathway lightiing (headlights stay on for set period of time after exiting car) - Alarms can be programmed to do this using aux timer channel (not all alarms have this output)
• Lane change signaling (single indicator tap results in three signal blinks) (NO thanks)
• LED taillights (Please no)
• Built-in inductive phone charger (decent idea, that would be cool, built into cubby behind cig lighter)

Again, installing many of these items like fancy automated turn signals, and LED lights in place of incandescent fixtures, and especially LED tail lights disgust many E30 and BMW enthusiasts. That's JDM style shit.

That's my

My car, I'll do what I think is cool :) Just trying to help the community out. And a '91 e30 is not a vintage car, at all. I know some of that's been done.. big whoop, idgaf. That does not preclude me from doing it.

I don't even have power windows, sunroof or AC in my car, and that makes me love it more.

my other e30 doesn't have p/s, a/c, abs, air bags, or basically anything but an engine and a stripped chassis in it.

It's because not having that stuff makes the car lighter

yup. I decided I'd much rather have an interior and features this time around rather than a moving shell.

My daily is a mk5 rabbit... I am so use to the turn stalk tap three blink thing that I want every car I ever own to have that feature. Its by far the most useful modern creature comfort feature other than a/c and cup holders/arm rest. I went from mk2's with zero modernization to a brand new car... missed simple, so have an e30 weekend rig. I think the turn stalk idea is great.

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yup!

Bluetooth keyless entry/start (via phone) - very similar to comfort access - you really just need an Ardiuno and a few modules.
Animated turn signals (animated bars in the rear) and variable brightness brake lights depending on braking intensity - be careful flashing yellow/red lights are illegal in most states
Theater lighting (fade in/out) - We have door faders on it.
Pathway lightiing (headlights stay on for set period of time after exiting car) - again a simple fader solution would work
Lane change signaling (single indicator tap results in three signal blinks)
LED taillights the design of the e30 tail light makes it a huge pain the ass to make LED tails, unless you simply replace the tail bulbs with LED bulbs.
Built-in inductive phone charger - Interior space in the e30 is pretty limited but I guess you could build it into a front tray of sorts in front of the shifter.

Animated signals are not illegal, in any state as far as I know. I'm not sure if I'll implement it anyway, it's gravy. ...a "fader solution" will not work for pathway lighting and the implementation of a "fader" is the same as theater lightning. You're just calling it a different name. For the tails, I'll probably cut a spare set apart unless there's an easy way to unbond the back. The inductive charger is easy and shouldn't present a space problem. The larger problem is my phone.

Are you sure you want an E30?

uhhhh yes.

you want a e46 at least.

I have an e39 540i/6 for my DD. This is just a project car and it's a good platform to mess with.

[samfg92]

I'm very interested to see what comes of this :) I love the idea of modern features built into old cars, as long is its done stealthily and doesn't look like shit! I plan on doing my 318i interior to full stock with a hidden iPod system in the glovebox or somewhere out of the way, and have the stock radio as just a fm tuner. But yeah I love the ideas in this thread!

[Regnar75]

how about this

does anyone make an upgrade for my car phone?
;)


in all seriousness sure....interested in this thread going somewhere as well

[psigti]

Ha ha I've got one of those...

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