many hours of wiring later - with one setback that had me up until 1am last night with the car totally fubar-ed - this is done!!

[ the a/c amp on top of the nav unit had a plug that wasn't seated properly. the gauges stopped working, and the car wouldn't turn off once started. SCARY. ]

this essentially completes my 2010 interior conversion, as i've done the door panels, full console, maple trim, and now the nav.

in a word: AWESOME.

streaming bluetooth is amazing. google play + pandora + sirius. worth the price of admission.

this updates the interior so much that I have zero impetus to get a new car. About all i have left now is FI... (once i get lowered in a few weeks, and get my new rims on, that is )

Anyway, since info on this is relatively hard to come by, I'll be happy to answer questions from anyone that is planning on doing this. (for the archives - don't hesitate to PM me if you find this post.)

my car: 08 with nav

new unit: 10 with nav, dash harness from a 2011 with nav for the connectors.

Fire any questions away - the existing threads out there are pretty vague.

HUGE thanks to stvsfx on myg37 for helping me out.

 

How much did it cost you to do this? I'm interested in doing this. Did this work with the 5AT even though the newer models have 7AT? How did the new dashboard connect? Was it plug and play for most of the process?

 

impressive

 

I paid about 1000 for the nav unit and screen, and about 450 for the dash harness.

The dashboard stays the same- only the console changes. It's almost pnp - with the exveption of our heated seat switches which need to be rigged.

The nav unit is NOT pnp. About 40 wires need to be swapped, and the camera rewired.

Part of the reason I havent traded for a 10+ is that I love our gauges.

No issues with the 5at.

 

man that's some dedication

 

Wow that's awesome man. I was hoping to change out the gauge cluster to the newer models since I prefer the white needles to our red ones.

 

I saw one post in passing - I forget what thread - where someone mentioned that their gauge cluster went bad, and they had the dealer replace it with the new version. I suppose it's possible, but i'd take that with a huge grain of salt.

I like the red needles / our font / the purple halo better, but I like the white info display SO much better.

 

I'm very interested in this also. Do you have a list of everything necessary for the conversion? Does this include the DVD player versus the CD player? I have an 08 with the 6-disc changer. In the future for updates, you use a disc versus have to take it in, correct?

 

you need the following:

1) navigation unit

2) new screen

3) gvif video cable (brown plugs) from headunit to screen (from g37 dash harness)

4) usb cable (blue / green plugs) from headunit to console (from g37 dash harness) + usb plug

5) M210 connector (g37 dash harness)

6) M209 connector (g37 dash harness)

7) M80 (bose) connector can be reused, just a few wires have to change

8) Display (i don't remember, M78 possibly?) connector can be reused, as it's the same, but you have to rewire it. probably easier to - as i did - just wire the new one.

the screen trim panel / controls can get reused

the radio / hvac controls can get reused

considerations:

2010+ dash trim is different. I switched my entire console to a 2010+, but if you're planning on re-using your existing console, you'll have the cf card slot. If you switch to the new hole-less shodo faceplate, it won't match your washi.

you'll have to cut a hole in the console / armrest area for the usb plug

You can do this swap by actually removing and replacing the wiring pins, but this is extremely delicate work. I tried it, and just didn't have the finesse. I mangled a few practice connectors.

As such, for splicing - which is a lot more time-consuming, but easier - you'll need the following:

about 40 or 50 butt-splice connectors. I'd recommend the type with heat shrink already wrapped (and hot glue inside.)

a heat gun

a wire crimper

I'd also recommend that you label each wire on the new m210 / m209 connectors, as this will save you a HUGE amount of time during the actual install. I also prepared labels for each wire that was getting re-wired in the car, e.g.

"Old: M88 green Pin 5. New M210 Pin 10"

The install is then just a function of mating the 2. Just in case you screw up - or in the event of catastrophe, have to go back to stock - everything is easily able to be diagnosed.

I have (from the FSM) comprehensive diagrams showing each wire that has to be switched, where it's coming from, and where it's going on the new connectors. Happy to send these over. I've annotated them with the stock wiring colors for an 08 sedan.

last thing you have to do is to re-wire the camera. You no longer need the camera control unit, so you unplug the connector, and wire a few of the input and output leads back together.

Yes, the new headunit is dvd-based - all map updates are self-installed.

FWIW, I hated the 6-disc changer in the trunk. I removed mine, and replaced the trunk roof carpet with that from a g37 without a changer. Much better access to the trunk.

HTH!!

 

Nice job! Well worth the effort I'm sure.

 

outstanding!!

 

 

Incredible amount of knowledge and work.

 

Appreciate the info. May hit you up again before it is all said and done.

 

don't hesitate. it's intimidating, but absolutely straightforward if you prepare well.