What have you done to your car today?

Next Saturday I will be going to Holland then on to Poland and eventually Lithuania so the last thing I want to be doing is faffing about with the CD changer in the boot. Used one of the guides on the web to make an AUX input using the OEM Telephone line on the Saab stereo. Cost me absolutely nothing to do as I had spare cables and a spare switch lying around. Put the switch in one of the blanks and routed the AUX cable into the centre console so it is all nice and hidden.

1zgdd9f.jpg


2mw6r2g.jpg
 
adam cool dude said:
Next Saturday I will be going to Holland then on to Poland and eventually Lithuania so the last thing I want to be doing is faffing about with the CD changer in the boot. Used one of the guides on the web to make an AUX input using the OEM Telephone line on the Saab stereo. Cost me absolutely nothing to do as I had spare cables and a spare switch lying around. Put the switch in one of the blanks and routed the AUX cable into the centre console so it is all nice and hidden.

http://i63.tinypic.com/1zgdd9f.jpg[/ img]

[img]http://i63.tinypic.com/2mw6r2g.jpg[/ img][/QUOTE]

Isn't the phone input mono only and only uses a couple of the speakers? Hence why most will tap into the cassette input and then have to use a dummy cassette to get the system to switch to that input.
Click to expand...
 
Alibaba99 said:
Isn't the phone input mono only and only uses a couple of the speakers? Hence why most will tap into the cassette input and then have to use a dummy cassette to get the system to switch to that input.
Click to expand...

No the mod requires soldering to the stereo left and right channels as normal for the AUX. The switch is soldered into the telephones input to switch the source only. I simply flick the switch to turn on the AUX which works through the OEM'S Cd player. Then switch it off to revert back to the CD changer, radio etc. The telephone channel is simply used as a source to switch too.

All volume, steering and equaliser settings work as OEM obviously the only thing that doesn't is track changing but I am going to look into that another time.
 
Last edited:
Got a link to the details? My parrot is running using a line leveling interface on the speaker channel (because of the amp) but would be tidier and probably sound better if I can just use the line output on it!
 
iaind said:
Got a link to the details? My parrot is running using a line leveling interface on the speaker channel (because of the amp) but would be tidier and probably sound better if I can just use the line output on it!
Click to expand...

Google Saab 9-5 Line AUX. There is a thread on Saab world. There are many ways you could do it. I did it my way as it was what I had lying around. I might use a switched 3.5mm female socket in future and secure it in the center console so the switch on the dash is not needed anymore.

As long as you can solder it is a pretty easy mod to do.
 
Last edited:
Trialled some anti-glare screen protector on the new headunit.. I bought the Anker iPad screen protectors to cut down, so quickly cut a piece off and stuck it on the screen for a side by side comparison, then put the roof down, and went for a spin to see if it actually worked.

GM7e8lE.jpg


I'm glad to say that for once, it exceeded expectations.. so quickly cut out a proper sized piece and covered the entire screen, it's actually very usable now with the roof down!
 
Dropped the Focus off for MOT and Service. Hyundai i30 as a courtesy car, which while being reasonable to drive, has a terrible interior. The steering wheel is almost as cluttered with buttons as an F1 car.
 
Changed the rear brakes on my 407 on Saturday, which then developed a grinding noise as the wheel weights were now touching the brake calipers.

Whoever balanced the wheels clearly didn't consider the position of the caliper on its slider when the pads are new!
 
Acme said:
Went to a rolling road meet:


Saw a familiar face, oil leak fixed, clutch kit replaced, new brakes all round, re-painted calipers (original silver), tints removed, engine bay cleaned up, short shift kit fitted. Looked pretty smart. Pulled 187.6HP, rated for 189. Good to see its doing well:


Focus RS was there that someone had mapped, Dyno couldn't get a reading for it cos it kept shifting its power around, they tried locking it in RWD, fording the TC off, removing the TC fuse, and playing with lots of settings, but gave up in the end.


Stock when new the Skoda was supposed to have 90HP, pulled 90.9 and 91.4 today... :)
Click to expand...

Is that Lee Coopers Passat TDI i see?
 
[TW]Fox;29794616 said:
It's amazing how crap the glare is on these things. The one I have in my E39 is the same.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I thought the factory nav was rubbish, although that had more of a transreflective type panel, it was still impossible to see with roof down on a sunny day. I will say the screen protector has actually surpassed the Factory option and is certainly very liveable with (having been out in the 'wolds yestarday with some nice sunshine!)..

I also bit the bullet and decided to refresh the front suspension setup (already changed the shocks/springs) as I still had MOT advisories for split boots etc, and having a good poke around, their are 2 split boots, and when it was on the ramps getting the exhaust clamps cut off I had a chance to apply pressure to various ball joints/bushes and look for wear, there was only very minimal play on one track rod and control arm, but it's only going to get worse and I don't see the sense in waiting for it to start being noticeable especially in a convertible that has scuttle shake.


So ordered to pick up tomorrow:
2 x Lemforder Control Arms
2 x Lemforder Wishbone Bushes
2 x Lemforder track rod assemblies
2 x Lemforder FARB links

I've also ordered the front headlight levelling arm/bracket which look a little worse for wear, and one of the diff bolts is not the newer style looking at the heads, so got those on the way too..

A bit on the pricey side, but ECP have their 'summersale' and you do get a bit of discount from BMW if you go through the forums, so all in, under £700.. and my local friendly indy has quoted me £200 to fit everything which is quite nice of them.. normally as long as their part prices are within 10% of what I can get them for I'm happy for them to supply for ease of hassle if anything goes wrong, but I' am saving the best part of £300 by buying the parts myself.

This is something you need to consider when buying older cars like the M3, I was quite ruthless haggling, because as the miles pile on, there are many items that really don't last much more than about 60K miles, so you need to budget for these things.
 
Last edited:
Demon said:
Trialled some anti-glare screen protector on the new headunit.. I bought the Anker iPad screen protectors to cut down, so quickly cut a piece off and stuck it on the screen for a side by side comparison, then put the roof down, and went for a spin to see if it actually worked.


I'm glad to say that for once, it exceeded expectations.. so quickly cut out a proper sized piece and covered the entire screen, it's actually very usable now with the roof down!
Click to expand...

looks good, mine's very reflective as is! never mind having a convertible.

was looking at making a custom one too but haven't bothered yet with the amount of sunshine we get.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom