Another E89 iDrive Retrofit
- Thread starter Mojito
- Start date
Map Update and Relocating the GPS receiver
Firstly, Map update. My donor CIC Head Unit was from a 2013 car and a quick check on the iDrive showed that it had never been updated. My first thought was to generate a FSC code on one of the generators that are freely available online and then purchase and download the latest maps. As most of you will already know from experience, a map update requires input of an FSC code before the update can begin, not something my emulator gets round. This FSC code is specific to each car/head unit/map combination.
No problem generating the FSCA map code, the software worked a treat… but then the fun began
I downloaded the map update onto a FAT 32 formatted, 32mb USB stick – car wouldn’t recognise there was an update. Downloaded again onto a different USB stick – still no joy. I had been using my Mac for formatting USB stick and downloading updates and read a post that said problem could be unwanted Mac files on the USB stick. Switched to a Windows 10 computer – still no joy and I tried it on both sticks 
Anyone who has downloaded map updates and then transferred them to USB stick will know this was a very time consuming process 
Enough was enough…. I ordered a map update preloaded on a USB stick with a genuine BMW generated FSC code. Worked a treat, 45 mins later and I had 2020 maps
Still don’t know why my downloads didn’t work.
GPS Receiver Location
The retrofit iDrive has been working brilliantly, but as tiny as that GPS Receiver is mounted on the front of the dash, it was bugging me :| It looked like an after thought and all along I have been after as close to a factory fit iDrive installation as I could achieve.
So, I unclipped the dash grill and cut away a section of the metal grill over the top of where I could mount the GPS receiver out of sight. I have a speaker under the panel, but there is just room to the left of the speaker for the GPS Receiver. I used a Dremel with a cutting disc, having carefully marked it out with white tape. Actually a very easy job. I then wrapped the grill panel with a piece of black loudspeaker grill fabric which I just happened to have – its readily and cheaply available on Ebay anyway. I fixed it in place on the reverse edge using a hot glue gun – simple and effective and gave a very neat finish. I had already unclipped the round sensor mounted in the grill, so made a small cross cut above the hole in the fabric and simply pushed the sensor through and clipped it back in place. Photos below of work in progress and the finished grill in car.
Moment of truth…. GPS works perfectly and whilst the grill finish is not original, I doubt anyone would ever notice the difference ….… unless they were a forum member of course :lol: Certainly to my eyes it looks ‘original’ and so much better than having that GPS Receiver stuck on the dash
I don’t know why BMW didn’t use fabric all along………
So, my iDrive retrofit is finally finished… next project getting rid of the runflats
Firstly, Map update. My donor CIC Head Unit was from a 2013 car and a quick check on the iDrive showed that it had never been updated. My first thought was to generate a FSC code on one of the generators that are freely available online and then purchase and download the latest maps. As most of you will already know from experience, a map update requires input of an FSC code before the update can begin, not something my emulator gets round. This FSC code is specific to each car/head unit/map combination.
No problem generating the FSCA map code, the software worked a treat… but then the fun began
I downloaded the map update onto a FAT 32 formatted, 32mb USB stick – car wouldn’t recognise there was an update. Downloaded again onto a different USB stick – still no joy. I had been using my Mac for formatting USB stick and downloading updates and read a post that said problem could be unwanted Mac files on the USB stick. Switched to a Windows 10 computer – still no joy and I tried it on both sticks Anyone who has downloaded map updates and then transferred them to USB stick will know this was a very time consuming process Enough was enough…. I ordered a map update preloaded on a USB stick with a genuine BMW generated FSC code. Worked a treat, 45 mins later and I had 2020 maps
Still don’t know why my downloads didn’t work.GPS Receiver Location
The retrofit iDrive has been working brilliantly, but as tiny as that GPS Receiver is mounted on the front of the dash, it was bugging me :| It looked like an after thought and all along I have been after as close to a factory fit iDrive installation as I could achieve.
So, I unclipped the dash grill and cut away a section of the metal grill over the top of where I could mount the GPS receiver out of sight. I have a speaker under the panel, but there is just room to the left of the speaker for the GPS Receiver. I used a Dremel with a cutting disc, having carefully marked it out with white tape. Actually a very easy job. I then wrapped the grill panel with a piece of black loudspeaker grill fabric which I just happened to have – its readily and cheaply available on Ebay anyway. I fixed it in place on the reverse edge using a hot glue gun – simple and effective and gave a very neat finish. I had already unclipped the round sensor mounted in the grill, so made a small cross cut above the hole in the fabric and simply pushed the sensor through and clipped it back in place. Photos below of work in progress and the finished grill in car.
Moment of truth…. GPS works perfectly and whilst the grill finish is not original, I doubt anyone would ever notice the difference ….… unless they were a forum member of course :lol: Certainly to my eyes it looks ‘original’ and so much better than having that GPS Receiver stuck on the dash
I don’t know why BMW didn’t use fabric all along………So, my iDrive retrofit is finally finished… next project getting rid of the runflats
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Great work and very tenacious...well done...I hate cabins with loads of wiring hanging out or botched set ups..
The runflats will be a walk in the park in comparison...
The runflats will be a walk in the park in comparison...
Thank you for the kind comments.
During the whole project I only once thought "what have I done" and that's when I struggled to swop the head unit cage. Not easy... until you know how
I like a challenge and all of it could be reversed, but now I have iDrive I wouldn't do without it. Cutting and wrapping the dash grill was no risk..... before I started I had located another for sale at £26.... just in case I needed it :lol:
I would like to think that someone else could do an iDrive retrofit relatively easily now based on Dave's great posts and video and my own experiences following his lead. It's what the forum is all about and I'm always picking up tips from others.... like which tyres I'm ordering this week
During the whole project I only once thought "what have I done" and that's when I struggled to swop the head unit cage. Not easy... until you know how
I like a challenge and all of it could be reversed, but now I have iDrive I wouldn't do without it. Cutting and wrapping the dash grill was no risk..... before I started I had located another for sale at £26.... just in case I needed it :lol: I would like to think that someone else could do an iDrive retrofit relatively easily now based on Dave's great posts and video and my own experiences following his lead. It's what the forum is all about and I'm always picking up tips from others.... like which tyres I'm ordering this week
Kevin great write-up and a very well done on getting it finished.
Guys on the MMI box front, I've just struck a deal with a European supplier of the MMI box at a great price!!!! I've got to contact Admin to see if I can do a group buy yet, so hopefully I can sort this out if I can get enough interest 8)
great write-up and a very well done on getting it finished.Guys on the MMI box front, I've just struck a deal with a European supplier of the MMI box at a great price!!!! I've got to contact Admin to see if I can do a group buy yet, so hopefully I can sort this out if I can get enough interest 8)
Thanks DaveAnubisZed said:Kevin
Guys on the MMI box front, I've just struck a deal with a European supplier of the MMI box at a great price!!!! I've got to contact Admin to see if I can do a group buy yet, so hopefully I can sort this out if I can get enough interest 8)
AnubisZed said:Kevin
Guys on the MMI box front, I've just struck a deal with a European supplier of the MMI box at a great price!!!! I've got to contact Admin to see if I can do a group buy yet, so hopefully I can sort this out if I can get enough interest 8)
What sort of price are we looking at? I am currently in talks with one of my Chinese suppliers about these boxes.
Sorry, but don't take this the wrong way, until I hear back from admin that I'm allowed to do a group buy I'm saying no more.Silverstar said:AnubisZed said:Kevin
Guys on the MMI box front, I've just struck a deal with a European supplier of the MMI box at a great price!!!! I've got to contact Admin to see if I can do a group buy yet, so hopefully I can sort this out if I can get enough interest 8)
What sort of price are we looking at? I am currently in talks with one of my Chinese suppliers about these boxes.
AnubisZed said:Sorry, but don't take this the wrong way, until I hear back from admin that I'm allowed to do a group buy I'm saying no more.Silverstar said:AnubisZed said:Kevin
Guys on the MMI box front, I've just struck a deal with a European supplier of the MMI box at a great price!!!! I've got to contact Admin to see if I can do a group buy yet, so hopefully I can sort this out if I can get enough interest 8)
What sort of price are we looking at? I am currently in talks with one of my Chinese suppliers about these boxes.
AnubisZed said:Sorry, but don't take this the wrong way, until I hear back from admin that I'm allowed to do a group buy I'm saying no more.Silverstar said:AnubisZed said:Kevin
Guys on the MMI box front, I've just struck a deal with a European supplier of the MMI box at a great price!!!! I've got to contact Admin to see if I can do a group buy yet, so hopefully I can sort this out if I can get enough interest 8)
What sort of price are we looking at? I am currently in talks with one of my Chinese suppliers about these boxes.
No problem I will keep an eye on this thread.
Sorry guys, my PM to admin has been opened (and I can only assume read as well) and after a week I've not had a response,. So I'll take from that I'm not welcome to do a group buy, fair enough I won't bother, no skin off my nose. I don't do this sort of thing for fun (I can assure you it certainly isn't fun!), I do it to help out :thumbsdown:Silverstar said:AnubisZed said:AnubisZed said:
No problem I will keep an eye on this thread.
The video for installing the MMI box is still coming, I'll be seeing exactly what video roll and photos I currently have and see if I need to refilm anything and get the install video together just as soon as I can.
As for the MMI box, I still have the company contact, so I can sort that info for anyone directly
As for my iDrive retrofit, I still have some problems, but it is working so it's a low priority at the moment. Retrofit video will come along in due course.
As for the MMI box, I still have the company contact, so I can sort that info for anyone directly
As for my iDrive retrofit, I still have some problems, but it is working so it's a low priority at the moment. Retrofit video will come along in due course.
This video will give you info on how to install the camera.Roddy said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-I2KSQxYb8&t
A few points though;
1) I do not recommend the type of camera I show in this video. I now have a number plate surround plate that has a camera in it. These are central and straight to the car, unlike the other type.
2) This install is with rear parking sensors, just ignore that part
3) To be perfectly honest, after having a reversing camera on my Z4 for the last year and half I really see absolutely no point in having it. The positioning is far too low in the first place, it is always filthy and you are at the back of the car anyway
I never look at mine, like I say normally because you can't see anything out of it. So in short, save yourself a lot of hassle and don't bother :?