Although I love my 2003 black/crema/black (especially after fitting the Motorsport wheels!) I am certainly not happy with the outdated phone/nav/radio solution.
I have in the mean time fitted a bluetooth device for my iphone and proper nav I get through using a Tom TOm device, but I feel this doesn't do justice to the car.
I am talking to a company here in Holland that suggest to fit a new (one piece) center console (in my case the black part underneath the handbrake lever and the folding little door) that holds a 2DIN (Kenwood screen) and the actual unit would go somewhere not visible. They suggest to make a mould for a resin piece that would be painted in the proper colour. The four buttons that are horizontally placed would go two-two on either side of the hanbrake lever. The two buttons for the RDK and anti-skid systems would be moved to the handglove compartment (as you never touch these buttons anyhow). It will all be done in a way that the original parts can be re-installed at anytime. Overall look is guaranteed to be "factory-like".
On the one hand I think it would be great to have this "problem" ultimately solved, on the other hand I am not sure about the degree of destroying the cars look.
May I have your thoughts please?
P.S. Should this solution work out fine it is obvious that the center console piece will be available to others as well, as a dedicated mould will be made, which can easily be duplicated several times. Any interest?
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Dutch Frank
2003 Z8 Black/Crema/Black