Navigation
From BimmerWiki
Various BMW models have been fitted with navigation computers (NAV) over the years. The capabilities of the computers have improved from generation to generation, while still maintaining compatibility with the maps.
Contents |
[edit] Versions of the Navigation Computer
| Version | Year | Media | Vehicles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKI | ?-1998 | CD | ? | |
| MKII | 1998-2000 | CD | ? | |
| MKIII | 2000-2002 | CD | E46, E53, E60, E63, E65, Mini, Range Rover | |
| MKIV | 2002-Current | DVD | E46, E53, E61, E63, E64, E66, E70, E83, E85, E90, E91, E92, E93, Mini, Range Rover | 16x9 widescreen display introduced in 2002 (with a cassette behind it) |
| (Unknown) | 2007 | DVD | E87 |
[edit] Navigation Retrofit
Navigation can be retrofitted into a vehicle that did not ship with it. The parts are US$1200-2500, depending on where you source them. Installation takes 8-10 hours, and is slightly easier if the vehicle already has TV functionality. Instructions can be found here: OEM Navigation retrofit guide
[edit] Navigation Upgrade
Upgrading from an earlier generation computer to MKIV involves a straightforward swap of the CD unit for a DVD-based one. The replacement computer may take some time before it starts working, due to the requirement to download almanac information from one of the GPS satellites before it can provide a fix.
[edit] How do I remove the accept screen?
With V27 and later firmware, the accept screen on USA and Australian coded navigation systems disappears after 8 seconds. If you want to get rid of it completely, you can downgrade-then-upgrade your firmware. This will put your NAV into default/UK mode. Alternatively, use Navcoder (see below) to select another region such as Europe.
[edit] Firmware
Firmware (software) upgrades fix bugs and add new features to the navigation system. The MKIV has had several features added recently, while the MK3 and earlier firmware development stopped a few years ago. The latest firmware update that updated a MK3 NAV was V22, therefore any newer firmwares only apply to MKIV NAV systems only.
The most notable update was a test edition of V26 (version 26) which added a more attractive, although less-detailed perspective (bird's eye) mode. Perspective functionality was officially added with V27, which will be the one you'll want to use. With this version, the "Accept" screen also disappears after 8 seconds.
[edit] Where can I download the latest firmware?
X5World.com offers downloads for MKIV NAV firmwares.
The v32 update CD contains the most recent firmware for the MKIV NAV (4-1/100).
[edit] How can I tell what firmware I'm using now?
Please see X5World's great NAV FAQ for this information.
[edit] How do I update my firmware?
You update the firmware by burning the firmware image to a blank CD-R disc (no other type of media will work, even in a MKIV DVD computer). To do this, you can not simply put the downloaded file on a data CD, you must use an application that burns the applicable image format's contents to a disc. ImageBurn is a free application that will burn most image formats. Burn it to a good quality disc at a slow speed (4X or slower) and then place it in the NAV system with the car on. You'll see a blank screen for a minute or two followed by an update screen. It'll tell you when it's done. There is a risk of this update not working and your Nav being left in a "broken" state, especially if you use a cheap blank CD. Go the the navigation forum on www.x5world.com for advice in recovering from this situation.
Older MKIII systems can be more difficult to upgrade, as BMW used a copy-protection mechanism in early versions of the MKIII software. Visit www.x5world.com to find out how to upgrade one of these systems, which requires a "key" CD in addition to the update CD.
[edit] I upgraded to V26 or newer. How do I enable perspective mode?
- Push the "MENU" button to get to the the main menu.
- Scroll to the "SETTINGS" menu selection and click the knob to select it.
- Push and hold the "MENU" button for about 8 seconds to enter the GPS Service Menu.
- Scroll beyond the bottom to a 2nd page, where you will get the Perspective option.
- Click the knob on the Perspective option to select it. - Now you will be able to select Perspective within the navigation map view.
[edit] Firmware hacks?
There are many unofficial firmware hacks available, including changing text and customizing the startup screen. Please see X5world's navigation forum for more information: http://www.x5world.com/navigation-system/
Kris Linquist authors a hacked v29.1 MKIV Navigation firmware that features a few new graphics and different menu text. It's available for download here.
[edit] Map updates
There are three map formats in use by BMW navigation systems (HIGH and PROFESSIONAL), and their media are NOT interchangeable.
| Desciption | Media | Vehicles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business (High) | CD/DVD | E46,E53, E83, Mini, Range Rover | Fully compatible with VDO-Dayton Carin maps used by various manufacturers |
| Professional | CD/DVD | E46,E53, E60, E63, E90 | Very similar to High maps, but typically contain more POI information and are encoded slightly differently to make them incompatible. |
| Business | DVD | E87 | New format, released April 2007 |
The latest map disc for Europe and North America is 2008-2. Other regions might use a different version number (e.g. v14 is the latest version in Australia). In some regions, the amount of new information has resulted in the 2008-2 map being switched from Single Layer DVD (4.3GB) to Dual Layer DVD media (8GB), and requiring firmware update CD v32 to be applied to the navigation computer for it to read the new high capacity media.
Official map updates are available from BMW dealers, NavTeq (www.navteq.com) and TeleAtlas (www.teleatlas.com). Since non-professional or "HIGH" maps are compatible with the VDO-Dayton "Carin" format, these maps can also be purchased from other vendors that use this format, although they will not have any BMW-specific point of interest information on them.
BMW are currently offering a trade-in deal in certain regions: If customers bring in their old map, they can buy the latest map at a substantial discount.
[edit] Laser repair
A navigation unit that is experiencing media read errors can be repaired by replacing the laser. Replacement lasers can be ordered here, while instructions can be found in this post.
[edit] Navigation computer re-coding
Navcoder is a shareware software utility available via the X5World navigation forum allows the navigation computer to be re-coded in vehicles that use the I-BUS communication system. A hardware adapter is needed to interface a personal computer's COM port or USB interface with the vehicle's I-BUS.
[edit] Speed cameras and Custom POI
Tools are now available to add custom GPS points of interest such as the locations of speed cameras to the MKIV navigation map. The cameras can then be displayed as icons on the navigation map while driving. Due to limitations with the navigation computer however, it's not possible to configure an audible alert. See http://www.pimp-my-nav.com for more information.
