iDrive CIC Controller

R

rob camp

Member
I have a 2011 E89 35is and need to replace the controller. Is it simply plug and play or will the new unit need to be programmed? My dealer is quoting 2 hrs of programming.
 
rob camp said:
I have a 2011 E89 35is and need to replace the controller. Is it simply plug and play or will the new unit need to be programmed? My dealer is quoting 2 hrs of programming.
Click to expand...
It should be a straight swap - it is on the E90.
 
rob camp said:
I have a 2011 E89 35is and need to replace the controller. Is it simply plug and play or will the new unit need to be programmed? My dealer is quoting 2 hrs of programming.
Click to expand...
:rofl: :rofl:
Find a new dealer, they are outright missinforming you and talking b#@%&$. Absolutely no programming is required for a controller, they do not know what they are talking about.
When searching for a replacement, you can go for the E9x and E8x series controllers. You need to swap the mounting bracket over (they just clip off). Depending on what you have you current controller will either have the top left button marked as "CD" or "MEDIA", operationally wise it will make no difference, it just means that with the MEDIA version you have the combox fitted, other than that they do the same job. :thumbsup:
 
Funny, I’ve called the second dealer and they have agreed with the first dealer saying that it will require programming.
 
Maybe they are confusing the box of tricks as opposed to the selector / mode switch ?
 
I can 100% guarantee that an iDrive controller is a simple plug-n-play item. As a retrofitter myself and using BMW's own programming software, there is no option to code the controller. You can code the headunit (CIC), you can code the screen (CID) and you can code the Combox or MULF (depending what you have) but the controller is not a codable item (it's a switch not a module).
They must be confusing the controller with the headunit, but even saying that it's not a 2 hour job, it takes 5 minutes!!
 
If you are good at working upside down I think it is possible to change this almost in situ.
Pop the centre trim up and undo the 4 torx screws holding the controller and undo the connector.
It could probably be swapped in 10 minutes.
 
Nictrix said:
If you are good at working upside down I think it is possible to change this almost in situ.
Pop the centre trim up and undo the 4 torx screws holding the controller and undo the connector.
It could probably be swapped in 10 minutes.
Click to expand...
I have included this in my latest video, jump to 07:08....
https://youtu.be/wYQgNDj4Fac
 
rob camp said:
And do you agree that if I am only replacing the controller there should be no programming?
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Yes, 100% :thumbsup:
Unplug old one, remove it, screw in new one, reinsert the 4 pin plug, job done!! Enjoy your Z :driving:
 
2014 e89 35is, mine went wrong and sourced an E90 version far cheaper than E89 version, as Dave state change the bracket, plugged in and all works fine. No coding required
 
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