Analog to Digital Climate Control swap

[1mikebowman]

Anybody know if you can swap the analog climate control with a digital one? I want this upgrade in my 95 M3 so the complete center console looks digital. Any suggestions? As soon as someone post how to do this I'm going to buy a digital unit and install. I'll post pics on the job. Also, can the trip computer fit into the radio slot? It looks like it can but not for sure. I want to take the radio out, replace it with the computer and yank out the sunglass holder and install a navigation system where the sunglassholder and computer used to be. Is this possible, I'm sure but does anyone have pics or know anybody thats done it. I want that clean navigation look, like it was factory installed. If I go with the flip up unit it will cover my center AC vent, which everyone knows E36 BMW's are notorious for not blowing enough air anyways. Can I get some help on this? Thanks guys and girls....Mike

[jsgold]

I am no expert on this but have recently repaired my son's 96 318i, so I had the chance to do some research on this. The 95 and old BMW's used different controls than 96+ but that is only part of it. Besides the digital controls they also used different internal components. As an example, the 95 you have uses a blower motor capacitor and the 96+ use what's called a final stage unit. Both do similar stuff but unsure if you can replace one with the other without rewiring, and that may be only the beginning. The final stage unit is a cluster of diodes, looks very strange. Might want to try www.bmwforum.com to investigate. I found a lot of help there as well as here when trying to fix my son's.