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Retrofitting iDrive

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
BeardyJon
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Retrofitting iDrive

Post by BeardyJon » Thu Sep 14, 2017 10:49 pm

I'm on the lookout for an E89 and so many of them in my price range don't have the idrive fitted. I was wondering if anyone has ever had theirs retrofitted to their car, and if so how much it costs and how difficult it was to do?
2012 E89 sDrive20i M Sport Celtic Tuning Stage 3 Remap
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sunnydays
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Retrofitting iDrive

Post by sunnydays » Thu Sep 14, 2017 11:26 pm

Very difficult to retro fit from what I have heard,

Why would you want it anyway? Considering it is already out of date, and the sat nav is not great what features interest you?

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Retrofitting iDrive

Post by R.E92 » Fri Sep 15, 2017 8:19 am

The iDrive system is actually really good. It still seems modern when compared with similar offerings from Audi and Porsche. I prefer the CIC system to the NBT system in newer cars. The nav works really well, it's the only built-in nav system that I've thought that about, most other cars I just use my phone as a sat-nav.

It's not something worth retrofitting as the cost is huge to do a proper job. Just spent a little more and get one with it already fitted.

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Retrofitting iDrive

Post by BeardyJon » Fri Sep 15, 2017 10:09 am

Yeah pretty much what R.E92 said.

Also, there's something about a BMW that has it that gives it an extra bit of class. Without it, you could be in any other car. Plus the idrive is more than the satnav. It's connecting my phone and using the interface to control my music, it's got extra options for tweaking the car, and I like the car info screens.

So many of the 20i models have so few optional extras specced. Might be a long wait for the right one!

I did see a fully loaded 20i for £15k but it sold yesterday before I could get in there. There are quite a few on the market at £12k without the iDrive but with pretty much everything else, so even if it cost £1500, there'd still be a saving to be made.
2012 E89 sDrive20i M Sport Celtic Tuning Stage 3 Remap
2008 E86 Z4 M Sport 2.0i - Gone
2003 E46 316ti M Sport - Gone

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R.E92
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Retrofitting iDrive

Post by R.E92 » Fri Sep 15, 2017 11:46 am

BeardyJon wrote: Fri Sep 15, 2017 10:09 am Yeah pretty much what R.E92 said.

Also, there's something about a BMW that has it that gives it an extra bit of class. Without it, you could be in any other car. Plus the idrive is more than the satnav. It's connecting my phone and using the interface to control my music, it's got extra options for tweaking the car, and I like the car info screens.

So many of the 20i models have so few optional extras specced. Might be a long wait for the right one!

I did see a fully loaded 20i for £15k but it sold yesterday before I could get in there. There are quite a few on the market at £12k without the iDrive but with pretty much everything else, so even if it cost £1500, there'd still be a saving to be made.
The car does look very basic inside without the nav.

The HDD for playing music is brilliant, can't imagine how you are supposed to find music without the iDrive. I have upgraded the HDD in mine to an SSD and now have around 80GB of music storage.

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Retrofitting iDrive

Post by BeardyJon » Fri Sep 15, 2017 2:20 pm

How do you go about updating maps on it, out of interest? and how often are updates available?
2012 E89 sDrive20i M Sport Celtic Tuning Stage 3 Remap
2008 E86 Z4 M Sport 2.0i - Gone
2003 E46 316ti M Sport - Gone

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metal licker
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Retrofitting iDrive

Post by metal licker » Fri Sep 15, 2017 5:45 pm

mcbutler wrote: Fri Sep 15, 2017 4:12 pmEdit Wondermike
Just a heads up chaps but discussion of non-bmw sat nav updates are against forum rules ! I'm guessing the forum got some s**t from BMW :?
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Retrofitting iDrive

Post by cerbera » Fri Sep 15, 2017 6:08 pm

R.E92 wrote: Fri Sep 15, 2017 11:46 am The HDD for playing music is brilliant, can't imagine how you are supposed to find music without the iDrive. I have upgraded the HDD in mine to an SSD and now have around 80GB of music storage.
Interesting. Is there a how to on this?

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Retrofitting iDrive

Post by Wondermike » Fri Sep 15, 2017 6:28 pm

metal licker wrote: Fri Sep 15, 2017 5:45 pm Just a heads up chaps but discussion of non-bmw sat nav updates are against forum rules ! I'm guessing the forum got some s**t from BMW :?
:thumbsup:

Please don't discuss non-official nav updates, thanks.

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Retrofitting iDrive

Post by mcbutler » Fri Sep 15, 2017 6:31 pm

Roger that, apologies.. :tumbleweed:
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Pastry
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Retrofitting iDrive

Post by Pastry » Fri Sep 15, 2017 6:41 pm

BeardyJon wrote: Fri Sep 15, 2017 2:20 pm How do you go about updating maps on it, out of interest? and how often are updates available?
From memory it's £100-£120 and BMW give you a dongle to download from. As said above I really like the idrive/nav and if I buy another E89 I wouldn't consider one without it. Jmo :thumbsup:
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Retrofitting iDrive

Post by flybobbie » Fri Sep 15, 2017 7:00 pm

I can see my satnav data was about 3 years out of date when it was new.
And won't let me put in the last digits of a post code, so still need the free stuff on phone to get me anywhere accurately.
But wouldn't have bought the zed without iDrive. It's just part of the experience and enjoyment of the car.
Without they seem a bit dull.

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Retrofitting iDrive

Post by SteveSmith » Fri Sep 15, 2017 7:32 pm

I'd personally wait for one to come up with it. I can't imagine a retrofit would be easy.

Personally, if I was to do it again I'd wait for one with memory seats and upgraded audio.
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Retrofitting iDrive

Post by ronk » Fri Sep 15, 2017 8:49 pm

sunnydays wrote: Thu Sep 14, 2017 11:26 pm Very difficult to retro fit from what I have heard,

Why would you want it anyway? Considering it is already out of date, and the sat nav is not great what features interest you?
The Concierge Service is good - especially while abroad.
I was looking for a Pancake House in the Arnhem area and the sat nav wasn't being very helpful - phoned the Concierge and they sent directions directly to the Nav - Try that with your TomTom! :thumbsup:
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So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with. :thumbsup:

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