Regretting not having added the iDrive option

J

jpapg

Member
Hello from Greece ... This is my first post ...

I've ordered my new sDrive23i , but unfortonately I didn't add the iDrive option.
During the last week, I saw a friend's 335i with the new CIC iDrive system.
I changed my mind immediately, but it was too late ... The car is constructed and is now somewhere in Italy.
I asked my dealer if there's a possibility to place a new order, but he said that this is absolutely not possible.
The only option is a retrofit installation, but he has to ask the tech department, whether this is possible for my car.
Btw the car has the professional audio + the USB option.


So here is my question: Is it possible to add the iDrive system after the car has been constructed ?
Is there anyone who'd like to do that ?
Any feedback about the cost ?


I've searched the internet for a while but found nothing about the new Z4.
Only a few things about the E90, E92 3 series and something about the X3, X5 series.
The general outcome for these cars is that this is NOT possible. However some
guys have managed to do the installation by themselves, with a little help from their dealer in the unit activation step.

So in general:
Dont buy the new Z4 without the iDrive. You will regret it later.


PS: My dealer really sucks ... :thumbsdown: He never showed me the new iDrive system, although he had cars with it.
He never told me that the system has been upgraded since the 2008 CCC. I believed that the "Professional
Navigation" option reffered to the previous CCC system, which I didn't like at all ... :(
Finaly he does not have a Z4 test drive car .... :scratchhead:
 
Can the dealer find someone to buy your car? Then you can order a new one with new options.
 
jpapg, I feel for you, imagine you had found us before you ordered the car, then you would have known.

I think you'll find it very difficult now to retrofit :thumbsdown:
 
I'm sure its possible, it cant be more than a different tranmission tunnel facia, the knob and a bit of wiring + software.

Get them to retrofit it and enjoy :thumbsup:
 
i find it a pity to retrofit in a brand new car...
i also did not go for the idrive, even stayed with the basic radio, having in mind not to spend too much in extras. Only to regret it later on :) But the iDrive costs way too much from my point of view, (> €3Κ in Greece) and while it adds to the entertainment i am sure you can live without it

however i would be interested as well to check retrofit solutions, in case anybody has tried any...
 
it *will* be possible, but it will be incredibly hard as you'll be the first person to do it, and no doubt more expensive as the parts individually will cost loads.

This is a start:
http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E89/Roadster/Europe/Z4_23i-N52N/LHD/N/2009/february/browse/vehicle_trim/mounting_parts_instrument_panel_top/

But I can't see the Navigation computer on there, yet.
 
Thank U all for your replies.
Today I got a call from BMW customer service ... They said that for the time being the iDrive system is not sold as accessory for the Z4, whereas for other models like the X3 for example it is. :( F**K
Then I went straight to my mother's (she owns a E39 530i) technician, a very expert guy, which I know for years now, and I asked him if an installation from individual parts could be possible. He said that even if all connections could be made, there's still a possibility for the installation to fail, due to software incompatability between the car and the iDrive computer. The best thing to do right now is to wait, until they release some kind of kit for cars w/o iDrive, or until someone else tries it first.
Big disappointment .... :(

Andy said:
it *will* be possible, but it will be incredibly hard as you'll be the first person to do it, and no doubt more expensive as the parts individually will cost loads.

This is a start:
http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E89/Roadster/Europe/Z4_23i-N52N/LHD/N/2009/february/browse/vehicle_trim/mounting_parts_instrument_panel_top/

But I can't see the Navigation computer on there, yet.
Click to expand...
Thanx, I already knew that ... The computer together with the DVD drive is here http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E89/Roadster/Europe/Z4_23i-N52N/LHD/N/2009/february/browse/audio_navigation_electronic_systems/car_infotainment_computer/
and is located right in front of the gear stick in the same place as the professional radio.

tiborakos said:
i find it a pity to retrofit in a brand new car...
i also did not go for the idrive, even stayed with the basic radio, having in mind not to spend too much in extras. Only to regret it later on :) But the iDrive costs way too much from my point of view, (> €3Κ in Greece) and while it adds to the entertainment i am sure you can live without it

however i would be interested as well to check retrofit solutions, in case anybody has tried any...
Click to expand...
Thanx man ... That's what I'm trying to think, when it brings me down ... :)

ksher said:
Can the dealer find someone to buy your car? Then you can order a new one with new options.
Click to expand...
I forgot to mention that here in Greece we have a 50% tax reduction in the purchase of new cars, as a goverment measure to keep the car market alive. But this will be valid until the 7th of August. This means a 7000-8000 euros discount to the car price. Even If I've placed a new order, I would have lost the validity of the measure, which means plus 7000-8000 euros to the car's price.
What a shame ... Sometimes I wish I wasn't greek citizen :(
 
I don't think this will be possible to do by BMW. It will have a big impact because you need to get a new wiring harness of the multi-media system. And this requires a serious disassemble of the cabin interior. I guess you ordered the basic radio NON navigation system. It goes even further, where is the GPS antenna located? In de inside mirror? Many of these parts need to replaced. They don't just add an antenna but a complete new mirror for instance. So tis will be a very expensive iDrive.

At the other side I have read a review, they state that this iDrive button is in way when shifting. I have no iDrive, but I have the storage place to put my garage door remote. It just sticks less than a half cm out of the opening. There are some occasions that I touch it.

Dont buy the new Z4 without the iDrive. You will regret it later.
Click to expand...
I don't miss it, it nice to have but I bought this car to drive.
I have installed a great audio system in my 30i, but in many occasions, the stereo is OFF to hear the great engine sound of the inline 6.
 
EdP said:
I don't think this will be possible to do by BMW. It will have a big impact because you need to get a new wiring harness of the multi-media system. And this requires a serious disassemble of the cabin interior. I guess you ordered the basic radio NON navigation system. It goes even further, where is the GPS antenna located? In de inside mirror? Many of these parts need to replaced. They don't just add an antenna but a complete new mirror for instance. So tis will be a very expensive iDrive.

At the other side I have read a review, they state that this iDrive button is in way when shifting. I have no iDrive, but I have the storage place to put my garage door remote. It just sticks less than a half cm out of the opening. There are some occasions that I touch it.

Dont buy the new Z4 without the iDrive. You will regret it later.
Click to expand...
I don't miss it, it nice to have but I bought this car to drive.
I have installed a great audio system in my 30i, but in many occasions, the stereo is OFF to hear the great engine sound of the inline 6.
Click to expand...

You're right, but can you tell me why for other models like the X3, iDrive IS available as an after market accessory ? (Read my previous post)

I ordered the professional radio, I think the basic is called 'business radio' ... correct me if Im wrong.
I think the GPS aerial is located somewhere under the dashboard ... again correct me if Im wrong.
Anyway in my opinion again this is NOT a big mod. Parts are:
1. Screen
2. CIC computer
3. aerial
4. harness or harnesses
 
... and no cutting like the e85/6, the hole is already there.

Bet there's a how-to on here in 12months. :thumbsup:
 
My regret is a bit worse however, i did not ordered the 11 speakers option + amp, so staying with the basic 6 speakers these are the cases:
1. top up -music
2. top down -engine.... :D

i think it is more difficult to install the 5 additional speakers -subs, twitters etc- than the idrive..but the aftermarket specialists have to work anyway...
sorry for the bit offtopic.
 
tiborakos said:
i think it is more difficult to install the 5 additional speakers -subs, twitters etc- than the idrive..but the aftermarket specialists have to work anyway...
sorry for the bit offtopic.
Click to expand...

No, it isn't. All holes are already there and the extra wires are also no problem and risk to install.
The story gets even better, you can install much better speakers than the most expensive BMW option has.

EdP
 
If you ordered the car, then you would have been asked to put sown a deposit. That deposit should be refundable if you back out of the deal.

At least that is how it is here in the USA.

And if you put the deposit in the form of a credit card charge, there are measures you can do to get your deposit back.

Just something to think about. You can't really fault the dealer for the situation, BUT, you should have some form of safe harbour if you cannot complete the transaction.
 
EdP said:
No, it isn't. All holes are already there and the extra wires are also no problem and risk to install.
The story gets even better, you can install much better speakers than the most expensive BMW option has.

EdP
Click to expand...

that is nice to hear, looking forward to see any nice installations then :)
 
Rick Hunter said:
If you ordered the car, then you would have been asked to put sown a deposit. That deposit should be refundable if you back out of the deal.

At least that is how it is here in the USA.

And if you put the deposit in the form of a credit card charge, there are measures you can do to get your deposit back.

Just something to think about. You can't really fault the dealer for the situation, BUT, you should have some form of safe harbour if you cannot complete the transaction.
Click to expand...

Well, the deposit is refundable if THE DEALER goes out of the deal, not me. But anyway this is not the problem. Even If I've placed a new order, I would have lost the validity of a goverment measure (50% tax reduction), which brings down the Z4's price approx. 7000-8000 euros. The measure is valid for new cars arriving in Greece until the 7th of August. There's no way for the new car to be here until that date, if I place the order now. It takes approx 2 months for the new car to arrive.
 
Hey ... Great news straight from Augsburg, Bavaria - the heart of BMW.

1.The will release a retrofit kit for the iDrive, till the end of September.
It is unknown yet, which models will be covered.

2. The latest version of the manuals (TIS, WDS, ETK, EBA) covering the new E89
will be available around the 10th of August. The will appear somewhere in eBay.
Be sure to check regularly.

:)
 
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