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New 2009 iDrive swap into a 2008 M3

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58K views 38 replies 16 participants last post by  joey1158  
#1 ·
After 5 months of research and coding, my 2008 M3 CCC-based iDrive have been replaced by the 2009-on CIC-based iDrive:

December 2009: New CIC (no programming at all yet), HD Screen cable, controller and console, used HD Screen and USB cable installed:

Legal screenshot...
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Main menu (Navigation grayed out as it is not enabled)...
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HD Radio...
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HDD with 30+ MP3 songs already downloaded (320kps) thru the USB port...
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Vehicle status (note that the vehicle shown is a Z4, once the CIC is properly programmed an E90 M3 will be shown)...
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DVD -screw Twilight... bring fricking Blade to kill some suckers!!
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MentholGuy's reverse camera for 2009 iDrive...
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Assist/Bluetooth fully functional:
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Notes for installation:

- CIC plugs right into the CCC Quadralock connector, Radio and GPS antenna.
- HD Screen installs -and uses same screws- in the dash as non-HD Screen. HD Screen requires new video cable and new Power/CAN connector, though:

HD Screen (CIC) on the left, non-HD Screen (CCC) on the right:
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HD Screen video cable jack (round, 4 wires), Power/CAN jack (rectangular, pins #1-8 in a single row):
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non-HD Screen video cable jack (rectangular, 8-wires):
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non-HD Screen Power/CAN jack (rectangular, pins #1-12 in double rows):
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The good news is that the Power/CAN wires (4 wires total) are exactly the same between the two different connectors, and they are located in exactly the same pin slots in both connectors (1, 3, 5 and 6).

The slot numbers are molded in the connectors and inside the connector jack (with the male pins) on each screen.

So it is a matter of getting the new connector with the used HD Screen (if possible) and removing the wires on by one from the existing double row connector and inserting each wire in exactly the respective slot in the new single row connector -wire in slot #1 from double row goes in slot #1 in single row connector, and so on.

Old, double row connector:
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New, single row connector (bottom of photo, with USB port, USB cable and old double row connector with locking sleeve):
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If you cannot get that single row connector with your used HD Screen (most junkers sell the HD Screen with the connector and the wires cut) then a ****ty solution -until you can get the proper connector, no P/N is available yet- could be either wrapping each pin with electrical tape or with shrink tubing and just plug each female jack into their respective male pins of the HD Screen (again, 1 to 1, 3 to 3, 5 to 5, and 6 to 6):

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The elusive USB cable (no P/N is available so far):
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The video cable looks exactly the same as the USB cable but without that built-in circuitry/filter bump shown with the velcro wrapper above.

USB mount in glovebox is already made, just covered with a plastic plug...
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... just pry it out:
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And insert the USB port (no need to remove glovebox, just "fish" the cable from the CIC area before installing it):
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All connectors are color coded except the Power/CAN connector...
 
#2 ·
April 2010: full coding and Navigation enabled

Before...

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...after:

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Notes:

- Voice Control is not yet activated as the P/N of its FSC is not known yet. The import method is the same.
- Convenience Plan (paid for) does not show the new screens (BMW Search, Fuel Prices etc.) with this swap yet. Google Maps "send to car" feature does not work for the same reason, either. However, Assist can send you the address to your iDrive the same exact way as Google Maps. Working on a TCU/CIC coding solution.

The activation was done with genuine OEM FSC codes generated with my VIN; the import of the codes into the CIC was made by a remote connection thru the Internet. This method applies to either used or new CIC, so this can be way cheaper than what I paid. Coding of the CIC -to match VIN options- can be also performed with this method.

I spent some $3300 in this retrofit, but in reality ~$1200 out of that was totally unnecessary after the fact. So done right, with a combo of used/new parts it can be done in full for $2100 -$2500 depending on the price of the used parts

Full details can be answered on a case by case basis by PM; contact forum member: http://www.e90post.com/forums/member.php?u=59568
 
#3 ·
April 2010: 2010.1 US DVD Premium CIC maps loaded:

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Notes:

- This is a 2.5-3.0 Hrs load. I used a heavy duty battery charger during this load.
- DVD set (3 discs) P/N is 01 99 0 037 287. Cost is $6.94 at TisherBMW, however the Map FSC are $180.00. My Map FSC came with my Nav FSC.
- Either the FSC is loaded by the dealer or by the customer using a 20-character code included in the Map FSC files as a pdf document.
- So far I have seen no radical difference between the 2009 and the 2010 maps GUI.
 
#4 ·
Today: BMW Search enabled

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Notes:

- BMW Search is part of the Assist $200 Convenience Plan
- a GSM TCU with the latest firmware is required for this feature to be supported
- for this feature to be enabled in a retrofit CIC the coding requires to change the Vehicle Order temporarily by adding options 6VA, 615 and 616, and coding the CIC with this new VO. This can be done with NCS Expert and most probably Autologic.
- Google Maps "send to car" still does not work. My guess is that my TCU needs to be coded to enable MyInfo, as the CIC already has MyInfo active.
 
#7 ·
So, did the '08 M3 already have the hard drive?
 
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#9 ·
Okay. I'm officially jealous.
 
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#12 ·
MrVegas said:
Technic, thanks for taking my call this evening.

How hard was it to get the old screen out? I have always been nervous about working with dashboards. Do you have any pics of taking the dash apart ... tools ... etc?
Click to expand...
A plastic trim remover and a Phillips and Torx screwdriver are required (no need to remove the dash at all):

- the screen is held by 2 T8 Torx screws
- remove the AC controls to clear the removal of the CCC trim plate:

Image
 
#17 ·
GN2 said:
Tech,

Any complications so far? Is there anything that you would hav done differently with the upgrade? Do you still feel that it was worth it. It looks great.
Click to expand...
No technical complications as the new iDrive is fully integrated to my M3. However, there are a couple of limitations: Google Maps messages (MyInfo) are not received and the Voice Control activation code is nowhere to be found.

The MyInfo issue seems to be that my Assist account email is not authorized to be sent by Google as it is from a MY2008 M3; I coded both my CIC and the TCU to receive MyInfo messages and BMW Search Online services, and I only receive BMW Search (which is not available for MY2008).

I know of a MY2009 3-Series with Assist that was completely retrofitted with the CIC iDrive (non-factory installed) and it receives MyInfo messages, so it must be an authorization issue at the Assist end.

The Voice Control activation is due to not being able to find the P/N of the code so it can be ordered the same way as the Nav and Map codes. Ironically, no BMW dealer seems to know that particular P/N, but they can find the others.

For me, this is a very worthy upgrade as my M3 is mechanically and 99% visually the same as the next 3 model years M3, so there's no other motivation to trade it in. If anything I did spent more than what was untimately necessary, but that's because I did not know at that time that there were other much cheaper ways to accomplish the same thing.
 
#18 ·
Google Maps "Send to Car" activated...

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- Assist team added my account email address to their "Send to Car" CIC database; issue was that my email address was in the CCC database (MY2008) so no messages were sent to my GSM TCU as this feature is not offered for the CCC iDrive. My local dealer service shop foreman contacted Assist with the issue and they took care of it. Too many times we complain in these forums about poor or even mediocre dealer and BMW service, but this time they went above and beyond what they are contractually bound to do for a customer. And for that I say thank you very much to both Ft. Lauderdale Imports and BMW Assist. :cool!:

- this confirms that as long as there is a GSM TCU in the vehicle it has the software enabled to receive Google messages, connect to BMW Search Online services and even to send the vehicle location to another email address (part of the Convenience Plan) regardless of model year.
 
R
#26 ·
wow,.. good job man... i have a question about the new iDrive... i have a '09 335xi coupe... it has the new HD basd idrive... but it has the old '09 maps... i want to update the maps,... i am pretty confident i can do the installation myself,... i just need the code... are there any contacts that are willing to sell the codes? also, i have one but he hasnt replied to me yet,... also any details/tutorial on updating the nav?

thanks!
 
L
#31 ·
iDrive in 2009 LCI 335i

Hello there,

My car already has the CIC (I believe, it's the one with the hard drive and the multiple buttons on the controller knob). I see more options on yours than what I have. There is no connection to Google that I can see on mine. I think I read that it is an option. But is this something that mine has the capability for but is just not active? Or is there some other hardware required? What should I be asking my dealer about since they don't seem to have much information. Took them several tries just to update my maps the last time I took it in. And that cost me a fortune!!

Thanks for your help
 
#33 ·
lucho1970 said:
Hello there,

My car already has the CIC (I believe, it's the one with the hard drive and the multiple buttons on the controller knob). I see more options on yours than what I have. There is no connection to Google that I can see on mine. I think I read that it is an option. But is this something that mine has the capability for but is just not active? Or is there some other hardware required? What should I be asking my dealer about since they don't seem to have much information. Took them several tries just to update my maps the last time I took it in. And that cost me a fortune!!

Thanks for your help
Click to expand...
The Google Search and weather screen are part of the BMW Assist Convenience Plan (BMW Online)... call Assist and ask for details.
 
J
#37 ·
I'm curious about the controler. The older controller is different than the new one. How did you adjust the trim piece to accommodate the new one? Any pictures, before, after, during? Thanks so much for your posting this process. I've just ordered a kit from BimmerRetroFIt that contains all of the parts necessary to accomplish this and though I'm not a 'wrench' by any means, it looks plausible especially since they offer to help throughout the process and they provide detailed instructions by way of email. Really looking forward to the change. Had a 2009 335i (E93) initially and really miss the CIC now that I have a 2008 335i CCC. Only thing that 'bugs' me about the '08. Otherwise it would be (will be) perfect.
Joe
 
J
#39 ·
I was absolutely thrilled when I learned that this retro fit was possible. I started this Bimmer thing all backwards. First E93 I owned was 2009. Kept it for awhile and then decided no longer interested. About 8 months later I saw what I was looking for originally, Barbera Red with oyster interior but it was 2008. Not knowing any different (and actually finding that specific color combo) I bought it. It was only after I had done some driving and using the older version iDrive that I realized just how clunky that CCC drive really is. Then I learned of the retrofit and though I'm no engineer, I pretty much convinced myself I could do it. Bought BimmerRetroFit kit and started in. Got hold of a couple of trim removers and went to work. It is simple (6 pages of instructions with pix and a solid support system) but it's not quite that simple. Ultimately I decided to try and find some garage willing to take on the task. Checked with about a half dozen and they all said no. I live just outside of Annapolis and after questioning some of my mechanic friends, a garage in Annapolis was suggested. Bingo, they said they would do it. It's sitting in their garage right now waiting for it's turn. Tried to get BimmerRetroFIt to suggest someone in the area but they couldn't/wouldn't/didn't. They strongly suggest that a mechanic versed in BMW repairs do the work. Ultimately I got most of the CIC work done but I also purchased BimmerRetroFIt's back up camera (on sale) and they coded everything (so they say) so all the mechanic has to do is assembly. No idea what price or how long. Just hope I did the transfer (old resolution screen to new high def) correctly. That will be my only possible screw up. What was so interesting about that particular connection is that the photos provided in the instruction are only half accurate. The CCC monitor has a double row connector surrounded by a holder that's black. It was only after I asked that I was told that what I needed to hook up the screen was inside of that holder. But I think I have it done correctly. Will update if anyone is interested after I get the car back and pay the bill!!!
 
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