[Loganxxx]

First of all, let me say congrats to this great and very usefull forum.

I just got myself a 2010 z4 3.5i with 8k km here in Brazil.
I didn't come with the Idrive.
I've got this kit from ebay:
BMW e89 Z4 CIC navigation HDD iDrive navi monitor
FULL UPGRADE SET PRECODED AND HARDWARE ACTIVATED.

So far so good.....

As i got the kit here, i cannot fit it in the dash board or could not find the places to plug the screen and the Idrive Joystick into the CIC.
Here are some pictures so you can see it.

I've asked the seller about it....and the frist follow up is that i have ti "adapt" the dash to fit the new CIC....Nothing was told about were to plug the screen and joystick.

The question is:
- Is really needed to adapt the CIC or he sended me the wrong piece?
- If this is the write CIC and i'm messing up the connections, is it worth to "adapt" the dash? (adapting means completely cut and glue the original dash from the inside....)


Well, that's my sad history so far....looking for a happy ending.

Cheers

Obs: On the last picture, you can see that one of the brackets came out broken.

 

[645/333]

First of all, let me say congrats to this great and very usefull forum.

I just got myself a 2010 z4 3.5i with 8k km here in Brazil.
I didn't come with the Idrive.
I've got this kit from ebay:
BMW e89 Z4 CIC navigation HDD iDrive navi monitor
FULL UPGRADE SET PRECODED AND HARDWARE ACTIVATED.

So far so good.....

As i got the kit here, i cannot fit it in the dash board or could not find the places to plug the screen and the Idrive Joystick into the CIC.
Here are some pictures so you can see it.

I've asked the seller about it....and the frist follow up is that i have ti "adapt" the dash to fit the new CIC....Nothing was told about were to plug the screen and joystick.

The question is:
- Is really needed to adapt the CIC or he sended me the wrong piece?
- If this is the write CIC and i'm messing up the connections, is it worth to "adapt" the dash? (adapting means completely cut and glue the original dash from the inside....)

Well, that's my sad history so far....looking for a happy ending.

Cheers

Obs: On the last picture, you can see that one of the brackets came out broken.

Hi! You have set yourself a major challenge!!! I did not think you can install the Idrive as a aftermarket solution as there is a lot of wiring that is not available to you in the car's main wiring loom. If you look at a car with the IDrive installed you will see that you do not have the correct panels to install the Idrive controller or to fit the CIC!!!
I hate to say this but you have set about something that cannot be done unless originally factory fitted!!!! sorry!!
Try and get your money back and buy a car with it already installed!!!!!!!

 

[Loganxxx]

Well,

For the wiring, the kit came out with pretty much everything. The main problem now is where to plug them on the CIC:dunno:
For the software, its seems ok, as i've even made the radio play
As for buying a model with the Idrive installed, here in Brazil they just came in the 2011 plus models, and the price difference is to heavy.
I've payed US$115.000,00 for my 2010.....a 2011 would be around US$25k more.

 

[Loganxxx]

Just giving you guys a update...
Its "unprofessional" adapting the dash....it would be just to ****ty job on a car this price.
Next month i'm going over the US and will buy a new dash to adapt the CIC.
US$1.148....not that bad. Here is US$6k

Cheers

 

[645/333]

Hi! As I mentioned I think you have set yourself a major challenge, I do understand your reasons BUT!!! I sincerely hope you have covered all angles!! Still best of luck!!! You will learn an enormous amount about the inner workings around the dash area!!!!

 

[gotoschoolhere]

Just giving you guys a update...
Its "unprofessional" adapting the dash....it would be just to ****ty job on a car this price.
Next month i'm going over the US and will buy a new dash to adapt the CIC.
US$1.148....not that bad. Here is US$6k

Cheers

Yeah, I would say that's your best option. You'd have to get a new dash and probably center console to make it look stock.

 

[Romer]

Good luck, interested in your results.

 

[Rh3t0r1c]

How are you getting on with the retrofit? Do you have any pictures of the work in progress? I have set myself the same challenge. The advantage i have is I bought the car accident damaged so the dash has to be replaced anway.

 

[rmorin49]

I had to get a beer just thinking about all the work involved with retrofitting a car with iDrive. I do admire your initiative and am so glad I live in the US where BMWs are fairly affordable. If I lived in Brazil I guess I'd be driving a Kia.