installing 16:9 widescreen on e39

[alfabadass]

The business tape unit on my 530d e39 needs replacing, its on a 2001 model, I was wondering how hard it is to replace it with the 16:9 screen unit that has a tape behind it.

Is it a straight swap?

Its the below model:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&...

[[TW]Fox]

It is not a straight swap. It is infact a huge load of hassle.

The monitor is unfortunately just that - a monitor. You need..

A 16:9 widscreen monitor, £300ish
A Navigation Computer (Even if you dont want satnav) £300
A BM54 Radio Module £300
Wiring loom and brackets £150
GPS aeriel £30

You also need the High Onboard Computer fitted to your E39, otherwise the Satnav unit wont receive date or time information so half the functions wont work.

[dxb335d]

16:9 what does that stand for?

[Vladigood]

16:9 is a widescreen.

[ccfj1]

dxb335d said:

16:9 what does that stand for?

16:9 is the aspect ratio of the viewable screen and as Vladigood says, it's shorthand for WideScreen, you can also get 4:3 (normal TV size, eg; square).

In the case of BMW SatNavs, you get 16:9 WideScreen, 4:3 HalfScreen, and the 2" (4:3) orange display.

As for the OP, No not a straight swap, its a shed load of work and money, unless you can find a scrap car with all the bits and get them cheap.

Edited by ccfj1 on Friday 29th February 09:42

[rassi]

It is not cheap or easy (IMHO you would be much better off with a £200 TomTom or Garmin), but it is doable:

http://www.travisbeste.com/automobiles/1998_BMW_54... and

http://www.bimmernav.com/BMW_GPS_Navgation_Retrofi...