Is it possible to retrofit sat nav
- Thread starter laser4596
- Start date
laser4596 said:
MkIII and MkIV systems are entirely interchangeable. The key difference is that the former is a CD based system the latter a DVD. As such the database it can access is significantly bigger and has expanded functionality.
2 years ago I upgraded mine on the X5 and combined with then being able to run a later OS gave a whole host of improvements.
Def worth the price premium to get the MKIV.
Ask PVR about retrofit - he's the expert on cutting up dashboards
elliot_holder
Member
Screen, and headunit, available from ebay.
here..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Z4-Sat-Nav_W0QQitemZ360053783364QQihZ023QQcategoryZ10374QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
here..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Z4-Sat-Nav_W0QQitemZ360053783364QQihZ023QQcategoryZ10374QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
laser4596 said:
They are the right parts, just expensive.
I am collecting the final part (loom) for this project today from the dealer.
The loom you will probably need to purchase from the dealer at £54.21+vat (you should be able to get 10% discount though)
I managed to get a MKIV DVD for £200 from ebay 2 weeks ago. It was advertised under Mini not BMW which made it less obvious and was a buy it now just right place at right time as generally they seem to got for £300.
From what PVR has told me in the past it has to be a MKIV but I stand to be corrected.
The head unit I purchased for £75, and a monitor will be around £100 from ebay and probably from Germany.
The head unit I have sourced has minidisc instead of CD, but as I have a CD Changer dont see this as an issue when I come to sell, and as I use Ipod/Icelink plus not an issue to me either.
Spaceman Spiff
Member
pvr said:
I have all the parts ready and will be doing this tomorrow. However, when I was looking for a way to test everything before cutting into the dashboard, it seemed from the retrofit instructions that I need to at least remove the storage box and get to some cables behind that in order to plug in the end of the harness opposite to the end that is plugged into the CID and the monitor! Are you saying that I can test the whole thing without removing the storage box? Where do you plug in that end of the navigation harness?
As for the cost, I got the CID for $150 (got the one with little LCD), MKIII + CD for $225, screen for $85 (from ebay.de) and everything else (harness, new storage box insert, nuts and bolts, etc.) for $175. So $635 so far
Everything is new except for MKIII.
MKIII? Hmm, you will lose some functionality there compared to the MKIV...
Behind the left seat (looking from the boot) is a connector. The harnass clicks on top of that (piggy back) and goes from there to the DVD computer (put it in the boot or so or on the floor somewhere). Plug the GPS antenna in the DVD unit, plug the screen in at the other end of the cable, plug the other connector in the radio (pin 5 and 11 I think) and put in the new CID. You have to connect the new CID instead of your old radio though.
You can test the whole system without removing a panel, except for the radio ...
Behind the left seat (looking from the boot) is a connector. The harnass clicks on top of that (piggy back) and goes from there to the DVD computer (put it in the boot or so or on the floor somewhere). Plug the GPS antenna in the DVD unit, plug the screen in at the other end of the cable, plug the other connector in the radio (pin 5 and 11 I think) and put in the new CID. You have to connect the new CID instead of your old radio though.
You can test the whole system without removing a panel, except for the radio ...
Spaceman Spiff
Member
pvr said:
I just couldn't find a good deal on MKIV and decided to start with MKIII until I find something on CL or ebay!
Thanks a lot for the info. I am going to test it today
Also, I ordered the wrong antenna (SMB-M connector instead of SMB-F). I was wondering if I can skip the antenna part, as in installing behind the instruments cluster and just put it somewhere in the trunk when I receive the correct part next week. Will that result in worse reception?
And finally, I still don't know how to remove the instruments cluster
You and DHK are really helpful with this!
From memory PVR didnt remove his instrument cluster, I believe the antenna is located behind the radio.
This is where I will be planning to locate mine, unless I can just reach through the gap where the radio and air vents are.
personally I would want to test with the antenna to ensure all is working, I dont think you will get a signal at all without.
This is where I will be planning to locate mine, unless I can just reach through the gap where the radio and air vents are.
personally I would want to test with the antenna to ensure all is working, I dont think you will get a signal at all without.
When I collected my loom today from the dealer I asked a saleman the effect on resale value. My main reason/concern is that the car is only 18 months old and I am not using new components, so if I chopped in within next 18 months would it be an issue.
There were two salesmen there and they said that as long as BMW components are used and it functions correctly there wouldnt be an issue. (only the GPS antenna is non BMW and I dont see that causing any problems.)
They initally said I wouldnt get my money back, but I pointed out it was costing less than £500, they then suggested at that cost I would break even, but it would make the car more saleable.
If it had been an X5 they said it would have been a no brainer, and would add a lot more value to the vehicle, all of which seems logical to me.
There were two salesmen there and they said that as long as BMW components are used and it functions correctly there wouldnt be an issue. (only the GPS antenna is non BMW and I dont see that causing any problems.)
They initally said I wouldnt get my money back, but I pointed out it was costing less than £500, they then suggested at that cost I would break even, but it would make the car more saleable.
If it had been an X5 they said it would have been a no brainer, and would add a lot more value to the vehicle, all of which seems logical to me.