Adding DAB with the Pro Audio/Pro Nav IDRIVE Setup

[MACK]

Hi,

In general I'm pretty happy with the spec of our E89 but there's one glaring omission that bugs the missus and that's the lack of DAB. To be fair it bugs me a bit as well but nothing like as much as it annoys her! :rofl:

Our car has the IDRIVE, PRO NAV, PRO Audio DSP and also the two USB's with jack plug interfaces. I have searched on here for an answer to this and I've seen posts citing either a change to another OEM head unit or an aftermarket kit by Audiodab (i think) for the E90 as a solution. However I've also seen mention of the USB's etc not being compatible etc so I'm wondering if anyone can spell out my options, assuming I actually have any with my spec.

Obviously I don't want to throw a small fortune at this, but if it's doable for reasonable cost (say £150-200) in away that integrates with the IDRIVE screen I'd be up for that. What I don't want though is one of the add on dash screen solutions with a seperate remote etc. It needs to be OEM compatible using the IDRIVE screen, controlled through the rotary knob or steering wheel etc

Can anyone help clear this up for me, I probably should mention ours is 04/2012 registered car in case it has some bearing.

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=60129&start=30

Looks like BMW can add it for £299 (as in the above link)
May have to adjust for inflation... it’s been six years since it was started!

 

[AnubisZed]

This seems to do what you want of it. Apparently it integrates with the BMW system and works via the steering buttons...

http://www.autodab.com/AutoDAB-USB.aspx

Found it at £158.99 on eBay... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUTODAB-USB/254603756545?hash=item3b47910401:g:E2oAAOSwo1Zexqv5

 

[AnubisZed]

You could go streaming from your phone with a better selection of digital radio stations than your local DAB band can pick up.
This could be done with an add-on (plug-n-play) box that would give you either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (depending on your phone type). This system integrates with the iDrive system and you then have full control of your phone, phone, messages, Apple Music, Spotify, Google Music, Amazon Music. Plus sat-nav from Apple Maps, Google Maps Waze etc.
I'm fiting one to mine, which should be with me in the next couple of days. I'm reporting the progress in my thread here >> https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=122817

 

[Anonymous]

The DAB processor is a small add on board within the headunit..so the easier way is to swap the head unit BUT..there are seperate DAB aerials in the bumper to suit..so there is a few bits to do plus I assume coding..

 

[AnubisZed]

The DAB processor is a small add on board within the headunit..so the easier way is to swap the head unit BUT..there are seperate DAB aerials in the bumper to suit..so there is a few bits to do plus I assume coding..

The only DAB headunit I saw while looking was about £500, plus, as you say, coding. There is an OEM factory DAB unit that fits in the boot, but that would be some fitting job involving the MOST lines, so special coding required.

 

[MACK]

The DAB processor is a small add on board within the headunit..so the easier way is to swap the head unit BUT..there are seperate DAB aerials in the bumper to suit..so there is a few bits to do plus I assume coding..

The only DAB headunit I saw while looking was about £500, plus, as you say, coding. There is an OEM factory DAB unit that fits in the boot, but that would be some fitting job involving the MOST lines, so special coding required.

Thanks to everyone for taking time to reply

It looks like a headunit swap is going to be too expensive and then there's the awkwardness of running the cables to the back and coding etc.

That leaves the other two options, the autodab looks a good solution but I'm intrigued by the phone streaming. Mines an android (samsung) do you have a link to the sort of thing of plug and play kit your talking about. I'm a complete novice with that sort of stuff. Back in the day I could easily install stereos, amps and speakers etc. Even alarms and immobilisers, but I'm not well up at all on these phone interface type devices.

I take both the phone streaming and the autodab devices replace one of my existing usb inputs into the head unit?

Thanks

 

[Pooltee]

For what’s it worth, in my opinion the BMW DAB system is about as good as there top Hifi systems.....rubbish.

I have DAB in the Z and the 3 series, and I am not overly impressed with either. Quality and signal seems poor. I think you might feel as though you have wasted your money if you went ahead with the upgrade.

As I have said before, BMW do so many thing right, and have some fantastic engineering, unfortunately, audio is not one of them.

 

[AnubisZed]

The DAB processor is a small add on board within the headunit..so the easier way is to swap the head unit BUT..there are seperate DAB aerials in the bumper to suit..so there is a few bits to do plus I assume coding..

The only DAB headunit I saw while looking was about £500, plus, as you say, coding. There is an OEM factory DAB unit that fits in the boot, but that would be some fitting job involving the MOST lines, so special coding required.

Thanks to everyone for taking time to reply

It looks like a headunit swap is going to be too expensive and then there's the awkwardness of running the cables to the back and coding etc.

That leaves the other two options, the autodab looks a good solution but I'm intrigued by the phone streaming. Mines an android (samsung) do you have a link to the sort of thing of plug and play kit your talking about. I'm a complete novice with that sort of stuff. Back in the day I could easily install stereos, amps and speakers etc. Even alarms and immobilisers, but I'm not well up at all on these phone interface type devices.

I take both the phone streaming and the autodab devices replace one of my existing usb inputs into the head unit?

Thanks

Hi Mack,

This is the one I've ordered (and still waiting for as Royal Mail don't seem to be moving it yet!!)..... https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001063666209.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.1ec34c4dsD4ouc

Once I have it I'll be installing it in my Z, I'll update my post and, eventually I'll make a full video on the unit (separate from my iDrive video).

 

[MACK]

The only DAB headunit I saw while looking was about £500, plus, as you say, coding. There is an OEM factory DAB unit that fits in the boot, but that would be some fitting job involving the MOST lines, so special coding required.

Thanks to everyone for taking time to reply

It looks like a headunit swap is going to be too expensive and then there's the awkwardness of running the cables to the back and coding etc.

That leaves the other two options, the autodab looks a good solution but I'm intrigued by the phone streaming. Mines an android (samsung) do you have a link to the sort of thing of plug and play kit your talking about. I'm a complete novice with that sort of stuff. Back in the day I could easily install stereos, amps and speakers etc. Even alarms and immobilisers, but I'm not well up at all on these phone interface type devices.

I take both the phone streaming and the autodab devices replace one of my existing usb inputs into the head unit?

Thanks

Hi Mack,

This is the one I've ordered (and still waiting for as Royal Mail don't seem to be moving it yet!!)..... https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001063666209.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.1ec34c4dsD4ouc

Once I have it I'll be installing it in my Z, I'll update my post and, eventually I'll make a full video on the unit (separate from my iDrive video).

Thanks

I look forward to seeing how you get on and your thoughts on the system