Sat Nav transplant
Discussion
Does anyone know the technical differences in Screen/Satnav systems - I have an M3 I would like to retro-fit SatNav to...and can get hold of an X5 satnav 16:9 screen (maybe some of the other 'bits' too, DVD, aeriel etc) - will this work...or will there be issues with the control of my HK stereo and any other functions the screen controls?
oli_quick said:
Does anyone know the technical differences in Screen/Satnav systems - I have an M3 I would like to retro-fit SatNav to...and can get hold of an X5 satnav 16:9 screen (maybe some of the other 'bits' too, DVD, aeriel etc) - will this work...or will there be issues with the control of my HK stereo and any other functions the screen controls?
What year of m3? what year of x5?Be under no illusion that it's an easy job though:
http://www.stakesuk.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/retro.htm
http://www.stakesuk.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/retro.htm
The x5 will work but will not fit the hole in the dash.
It's not just the screen you need BTW you will need,
The radio module = £350 ebay
The Nav computer = £350-£400 ebay
The retrofit loom = £135 (plus vat) dealer
The Ac relocation panel = £30 (plus vat) dealer
The GPS antenna = £5 - £70 ebay or dealer.
The TV module = £250 - £360 ebay
The map disc = £20 - £200 ebay or dealer
This is not just a pull the radio and fit the screen kind of jobs it's a whole heap of work, effort and money.
It's not just the screen you need BTW you will need,
The radio module = £350 ebay
The Nav computer = £350-£400 ebay
The retrofit loom = £135 (plus vat) dealer
The Ac relocation panel = £30 (plus vat) dealer
The GPS antenna = £5 - £70 ebay or dealer.
The TV module = £250 - £360 ebay
The map disc = £20 - £200 ebay or dealer
This is not just a pull the radio and fit the screen kind of jobs it's a whole heap of work, effort and money.
Edited by ccfj1 on Tuesday 5th August 13:51
The cost of the BMW Navigation Retrofit has always confused me.
Why is it so expensive to retrofit? Yes there are lots of modules but most of them are very, very basic - I mean the radio tuner is a simple box which receives radio. It's less sophisticated than the junk in Halfords brand new for £99.99 yet you find one on Ebay for under £300. £300! For a little box!
Whereas meanwhile our Audi driving friends can retrofit a superior touch screen nav system for under 500 quid.
It defies logic, it really does.
Why is it so expensive to retrofit? Yes there are lots of modules but most of them are very, very basic - I mean the radio tuner is a simple box which receives radio. It's less sophisticated than the junk in Halfords brand new for £99.99 yet you find one on Ebay for under £300. £300! For a little box!
Whereas meanwhile our Audi driving friends can retrofit a superior touch screen nav system for under 500 quid.
It defies logic, it really does.
"less sophisticated" are you kidding??
It's not just a radio, it's the hub of the integrated audio nav system, it accepts input from the CD changer, Tape drive, MD player, Telephone, Nav computer, Aux, VCR/TV and even has a line out, It has access and can process the TMC coded network (broadcast over FM), it has a very good speed sensitive volume control adjuster, it allows different sources to be selected while the monitor is in just about any mode, It also has a I-bus connection so that the rest of the car can see it and it interacts with all the other car systems, now based on that how many halfords radios do that? let me tell you, none, also you are comparing brand new against a 10 year old design, that's hardly fair.
It is expensive yes, but the system is customizable, if you don't want the tv then you have to have it, if you don't want the Nav part then thats OK too, with the Audi and VW systems (which are good) if any individual part breaks then you junk the whole thing, not so with the BMW system, just get the module you need.
I do however agree it could be cheaper and it could work better and it could have been designed better (like into a single unit with and ISO connector), but like I said the design is over 10 years old now and it's showing its age.
It's not just a radio, it's the hub of the integrated audio nav system, it accepts input from the CD changer, Tape drive, MD player, Telephone, Nav computer, Aux, VCR/TV and even has a line out, It has access and can process the TMC coded network (broadcast over FM), it has a very good speed sensitive volume control adjuster, it allows different sources to be selected while the monitor is in just about any mode, It also has a I-bus connection so that the rest of the car can see it and it interacts with all the other car systems, now based on that how many halfords radios do that? let me tell you, none, also you are comparing brand new against a 10 year old design, that's hardly fair.
It is expensive yes, but the system is customizable, if you don't want the tv then you have to have it, if you don't want the Nav part then thats OK too, with the Audi and VW systems (which are good) if any individual part breaks then you junk the whole thing, not so with the BMW system, just get the module you need.
I do however agree it could be cheaper and it could work better and it could have been designed better (like into a single unit with and ISO connector), but like I said the design is over 10 years old now and it's showing its age.
[TW]Fox said:
It just defies logic that retrofitting a modern touchscreen nav system into an Audi A6 costs £500 yet retrofitting an old non touchscreen nav system into a 5 Series costs £1200.
Well, you could always retrofit the audi system into the bmw? I assume the audi has the ISO connector on the back, so it should be plug and play (if you can get hold of the Double din faceplate), but you will loose the DSP control (if you have it) cd changer and the trip computer but that's no biggy.Or you could get something like this http://tinyurl.com/6hafxa
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