X3 OEM Navigation Retrofit - Success!

After doing an OEM MKIV Navigation system retrofit in my wife's e46 a few months ago, I decided that I really wanted to do the same in my X3. I love the integration of phone, navigation, Sirius, reverse camera and iPod via the Intravee II.

Anyhow, I ordered up all the parts for the X3 retrofit from an eBay seller in Germany and had everything shipped to me here last month. I got around to tackling it finally with my friend Andy, who is a BMW Master Tech... Actually, he did all the hard work, I just hung around, held the flashlight and tried to stay out of the way...


Link to all the part #'s on Realoem.com. The wiring harness is part # 61120390114 if you are piecing the parts together yourself...
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...65&fg=95&hl=40

First, here are the OEM install instructions:
http://www.bigpatsfans.com/x3_oem_nav_retrofit.pdf

All the parts. You don't need part "O" for USA cars (all are pre-wired for CD changer)


The wiring harness layout:


Basic map of where things will go in car:


Start with the wiring harness in the trunk. These 2 cables will connect to the back of the MKIV. The GPS antenna is here also. The instructions call to route the GPS antenna to be behind the instrument cluster. Not sure if you could tap into the shark fin.




Pop the rear seat off and the bolster behind the driver's side back seat. Everything just pops right off.


Route the wiring harness down the bolster and tuck it along the existing cables. Secure it with zip ties.


We then removed the driver's front seat and the center console. The wiring harness runs along the floor to the front of the front seat, across the floor and up through the center console to behind the radio.


Remove the sunglass tray, the AC vents and the old radio. Everything essentially pops out and is secured in by Philips head screws.





Removing the armrest provides better access to the carpet, which is very stiff:


The harness routed up through the console area:


The wires plug into the existing connectors for the old radio:


You need to remove the instrument cluster. You'll tap into the vehicle's speed sensor coming out of the wires behind the cluster.


While we had the cluster out, we removed the seat belt speaker chime. It just pops right off with gentle twisting:





Connections made to the fuse box:




Putting everything back together:






In the trunk, I attached the bracket for the MKIV drive, Turns out I need to order a different bracket that supports Sirius too. I just stuffed everything in there for now. I also connected my Intravee II and iPod now:


The part # of the bracket I need to order, that hold the MKIV drive and the Sirius unit: 65503411774
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=65&fg=05&hl=2

The last surprise was that the carpet piece for cars without Nav is different than the carpet piece for cars with Nav. My existing trim piece was too deep. I looked it up, and sure enough, I need this $100ish part: 51473412225
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...51&fg=65&hl=36



Back in a few with some pics of the functionality...

WOW way to much work for me........lol

Better picture of everything tossed in here for now... The new bracket / carpet cover should be in later this week. I'll clean everything up more then:



So my radio from Europe came coded for Europe. I didn't realize until I discovered that the AM button took me to something called "MWA"


OEM instructions to enter Radio Service Mode to change region:
http://www.bigpatsfans.com/radio_service_mode.pdf

The basics:
E83 (X3) with Navigation system
E85 (Z4) with Navigation system

CID radio
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Press the 'SEL' button immediately and hold for at least 8 seconds.
3. Scroll through functions using the '+' and '-' keys or the station search buttons "< >".
4. Switch off the radio to exit the service mode.


The instructions don't mention that you need to toggle selections using buttons 1 & 2. You can Select "USA" from here. Turn car off, then back on, and voila, AM / FM radio works.

I even have HD radio... Whatever the F that is:


The CD player / radio in the X3 & Z4 with Nav. I'd love to find out more info on it (part # etc), but the eBay seller was nice enough to remove the stickers and somehow zeroed out the serial number from radio service mode. Blah.


This CD player plays MP3s and reads ID3 tags! This same MP3 CD played in my stock 2006 X3 radio, but would not show ID3 tags. The browsing interface is actually pretty good too!


OEM Sirius still works of course:


And my Intravee II slaved off the OEM Sirius module:


Main menus work:


Bluetooth paired fine with my TCU:


...including the Emergency function of reading your coordinates:


GPS antenna was tracking fine. Took about 30 minutes to download the Almanac:


Connectivity to vehicle speed sensor worked:


Split screen view on Nav:


And full screen version:

Oh, I forgot to mention... My MKIV drive was also in Euro mode. It came with a Euro 2004 DVD in it. I actually tested it a few weeks ago simply swapping it into my wife's e46 which uses the same drive.

Drive thought I was in Rome. LOL


2004.1 High Euro DVD. haa


System was also not in English, so I decided to update the OS before fixing the language problem. Put my v.32 OS Update CD in and let it run (part # 01590141891). Looks like Italian, Dutch and UK English were installed:


Still in Italian after the v. 32 update:


but its up to 4-1/00 at least:


Since I was at home, and didn't have my BMW tech / Autologic, I coded to USA mode using NavCoder, my Reslers serial port-ibus interface, and ancient Win XP laptop to fix the issue:

NavCoder: http://www.siegenthaler.co.nz/NavCoder/index.htm
Reslers: http://www.reslers.de/IBUS/index.html

Programmed a few languages I can actually understand...


Even though the Nav unit was in USA mode, the car thought it was in Europe mode... Ways to tell this:

- No "Accept" screen at system boot up
- yards instead of feet
- No "Emergency" option which shows up on the main screen. A nice feature since it shows your GPS coordinates and exact location.

In order to get the car into USA mode, you need to open NavCoder, click "Read System Parameters" (you get a warning to only do this on your own car).

Change the Region to US, and click "Code Nav"

Some other programming notes... The OEM instructions said to code the car with "Navigation Retrofit." That option didn't exist with the Autologic so... We just simply added SA609 to the car's list of installed options. After that, we just re-flashed all the relevant modules, and voila! Car back in USA mode, with Navigation option...

Wow. That is Monster!

Good stuff. The E46 community has missed your ideas and great DIYs already, but the X3 folks will surely benefit from all your threads!

Great job! I have a few questions:

1. Did you need any special tools for removal of the various interior components? I remember reading that there was a specific tool for removing the instrumentation cluster.

2. You mentioned that you purchased this from a German vendor on eBay, do you have is user name?

Jeff

Originally Posted by jdeday

Great job! I have a few questions:

1. Did you need any special tools for removal of the various interior components? I remember reading that there was a specific tool for removing the instrumentation cluster.

2. You mentioned that you purchased this from a German vendor. Is that the person on eBay?

Jeff

1. Other than the trim removal tool, which you can get for $5 at any auto parts store, no special tools are required... Although we soldered some connections, and obviously had access to an Autologic for coding...

2. Yes, got it from an ebay seller. Although I did it out of pure laziness... On my e46 I just gathered all the parts... This ebay seller had the whole x3 kit for a decent price (its negotiable) so I just went with that...

That's amazing and is probably one of the most complex OEM retrofits done on an X3. Then again, you do have access to the software programming doohickey so that probably saved a couple trips to the dealer.

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

That's amazing and is probably one of the most complex OEM retrofits done on an X3. Then again, you do have access to the software programming doohickey so that probably saved a couple trips to the dealer.

Well... The only thing I "needed" to code was the system into USA mode, which you can do with NavCoder (which I did). This retrofit can definitely be done without any coding.

Nice!

How do you like the Intravee with the X3? I have the Navigation and the BMW ipod integration but I've thought about maybe installing the Intravee II as it gives song information and much better control over the ipod.

I also notice that when you have it switched to FM you have data in the dark area below the top line. On mine it just scrolls on the top line. I have the latest software update. Maybe it's just a newer radio module being able to make better use of the display?

Stuart

Originally Posted by shamernj

Nice!

How do you like the Intravee with the X3? I have the Navigation and the BMW ipod integration but I've thought about maybe installing the Intravee II as it gives song information and much better control over the ipod.

I also notice that when you have it switched to FM you have data in the dark area below the top line. On mine it just scrolls on the top line. I have the latest software update. Maybe it's just a newer radio module being able to make better use of the display?

Stuart

I love, love, love the Intravee II. I have it in my e46, and wrote an article that was published in Boston Bimmer magazine a few months ago (BMW CCA's Boston chapter)
http://www.bigpatsfans.com/BostonBimmer.pdf

That's the HD Radio I believe... I don't exactly know what HD radio is, but it sounds better and seems to have text display. The seller told me this feature would be included on my radio...

Looks great. But the BMW Nav is old and outdated.

Originally Posted by MPBX3

Looks great. But the BMW Nav is old and outdated.

How so? The maps and operating system were both updated in 2009, with new maps due out soon.

The system works great--It tracks flawlessly, and the integration with phone, Sirius, and the Intravee is fantastic. Have you actually used an up-to-date MKIV system? Don't sell it short just because it isn't touch screen...

Sna77 I have been installing car stereos before I could drive and an engineer for major market radio stations in both Philly and DCfor over 20 years.

I have worked alongside some of the best designers, engineers, and technicians and YOU do some great work. Kudos!!!

Looks great. My car wouldnt run if I began to touch it!

I'm speechless.
I can't wait to see your next x3 mod.

(hint: LCI(07+) rear led taillights on 04-06 X3s. )

Great work!

You are an inspiration to those who want to do the same!

Originally Posted by Evlengr

Sna77 I have been installing car stereos before I could drive and an engineer for major market radio stations in both Philly and DCfor over 20 years.

I have worked alongside some of the best designers, engineers, and technicians and YOU do some great work. Kudos!!!

Thanks--but I can't take all the credit. My friend Andy is just about the best BMW tech I've ever met... I couldn't have done it without him.

Originally Posted by new2u

I'm speechless.
I can't wait to see your next x3 mod.

(hint: LCI(07+) rear led taillights on 04-06 X3s. )

Putting in DVD headrests for the kiddies soon... Actually not going to use the BMW ones.. BMW just OEMs them from Vizualogic, and they are constantly discontinuing parts etc. I ran into all sorts of issues grabbing replacement parts on my old e46... Figured I'd go straight to the horses mouth on the X3 install...

thats pretty amazing. Great job! tis a shame that you did all that work and all you had to show for it was the X3`s rather rudimentary nav/cptr. Still a great job!

Originally Posted by cubed

thats pretty amazing. Great job! tis a shame that you did all that work and all you had to show for it was the X3`s rather rudimentary nav/cptr. Still a great job!

yeah, I'm not trying take anything away from this, but its not really a DIY job.

A BMW tech installed it.

This particular nav unit is widely regarded as outdated and adequate at best. I have had two of these units and the functionality, interface etc. you can get from a $120 Garmin are much better (i.e. bird's eye view, 3d, etc etc.)

I'm just wondering how much you paid for the hardware, and why you chose this route instead of simply buying a portable nav with better functionality?

I understand how much nicer it is to have a factory installed nav, but in this case the BMW nav is one of the worst around, its just really old and outdated technology.

Originally Posted by pilotman

yeah, I'm not trying take anything away from this, but its not really a DIY job.

A BMW tech installed it.

This particular nav unit is widely regarded as outdated and adequate at best. I have had two of these units and the functionality, interface etc. you can get from a $120 Garmin are much better (i.e. bird's eye view, 3d, etc etc.)

I'm just wondering how much you paid for the hardware, and why you chose this route instead of simply buying a portable nav with better functionality?

I understand how much nicer it is to have a factory installed nav, but in this case the BMW nav is one of the worst around, its just really old and outdated technology.

You could definitely do this yourself if you were skilled enough... I could easily do this after having done it once... Its just reading diagrams etc. Everything is plug and play essentially.

I have an MKIV in my wife's e46 and am actually quite happy with it. I already had a Garmin, a $600 one though, not a $100 and I like this much better.

As I mentioned also, I am running a reverse camera through the screen and also using the Intravee II, Sirius, HD radio etc. The factory integration of everything is fantastic.

As for being outdated... My mother has a 2010 Lincoln MKX with the Microsoft Sync software that everyone raves about. I find this easier to use, and like the GPS tracking better.

The maps are up-to-date, and BMW last updated the OS of the Nav system last year. If you have a 2006 with factory Nav, and haven't upgraded your OS on your BMW MKIV, then you are really missing out on POI, more searching etc etc...

I personally like the "legacy" IBUS based NAV on my E46/E83. Works for me.

If I want more detail I use my HTC phone with IGO or my CarPC with custom TTS.

There is something to what sna77 says. Clearly the graphics are rudimentary, however I really do like the simplicity of the factory unit. I leave the setting on "map" almost all the time and the cartoonish nature actually makes it very easy to use. I love this setting for night time driving in various unfamiliar neighborhoods -- makes knowing where the upcoming streets are a breeeze.

Awesome write up!!