In-built Satnav. Little or large screen?

[minerva]

Does anyone on here know the difference between the little screens that BMW used to use (up 'til 2001) and the bigger ones it used before idrive came along. I don't see why it should be any different, but there may be some sort of major software upgrade in the SatNav?

[gizlaroc]

The 4:3 screens used up to 2002 models, 7 series, E39 5 series and E46 3 series, was exactly that, a 4:3 ratio, from 2002 build it got the 16:9 screen.
2003 saw DVD nav added and with that system you can also upgrade the software to perspective (3D) view.

The idrive started in 2002 with the 7 series, was upgraded in 2003 with the 5 series which carried over to the 3 series too.

The 1 series got an idrive controller but uses the older system from the E46, E39 and E38.



if you get a car with the 4:3 screen it is dead easy to swap screens (£250-500) and the DVD nav unit (£3-500) which makes it a very good nav system.

[minerva]

So... the nav improved from 2003 and not with the bigger screen? Is there any way of telling which system a potential second hand purchase may have?

Thank you for the info, btw

[Nat_H]

On the setup screen there should be a code to the top right hand side.

This will tell you what hardware and software you have.

See the link for more details.

X5 World

[dazren]

widescreen came to the E39 for 2001 M/Y (ie X reg in the UK). I don't know about the others.

[gizlaroc]

If it has the 4:3 screen it will be the old CD based system.

If it has the 16:9 screen it could have either.

From the factory March 2003 builds got DVD, pre that it was CD, but alot of owners have upgraded.

It will say DVD on the drive in the boot if it is the later MKIV unit...

[Fox-]

I wish these didn't sell for such ridiculous amounts of money on Ebay.